hemlocks

3

Madeline finished signing the papers for the St Mental Hospital for Aiden to be admitted. She cried like a baby once she realized how long her sweet son would be gone for. Her eyes were red and puffy as she blew her nose. Madeline looked up at the nurse, tears still streaming down her cheeks, "Please take care of him... He hates onions and loves mangoes, if he's being good give him a few slices, please?" She explained, sniffing and finally admitting her son into the new hospital.

She did her research on this place and it turned out it was one of the best in the city... it was quiet in the lobby area, and it seemed like most of the patients were likely in the circle room.

Aiden looked at his feet, "I'm sorry momma..." He mumbled, feeling her arms wrap around his body. He hugged her back, the guilt of making her sign those dreaded papers once again because he was such a fuck-up made him feel worse. Aiden loved the perfume his mother wore, it was like vanilla cinnamon and it made him feel safe. He hugged her tightly, upset he once again was leaving her.

"I'll see you soon, okay? I'll hold you forever deep in my heart," She hiccuped, before once again breaking out into a broken cry. Aiden rubbed her back, soothing her. The woman's heart was so full of love for any and everything, too big for her body. "I'll be okay, I promise." Aiden pulled away and smiled down at her, for once seeming like he genuinely was telling the truth.

Aiden wanted to get better but he honestly didnt know if he could. He'd already fucked up his life more than he could imagine, how much worse could it get?

Madeline blew her nose again, looking over to the tall woman wearing scrubs, "Thank you for everything!" She said, holding the lady's hand with both of hers. "No problem, Miss. We promise to take good care of Mr. Solace." She smiled, feeling Madeline release her hand.

Madeline went back to her son, "Be good, okay? Mommy loves you," She said, looking up at her son as she wiped her face with a different clean tissue. "I love you too, Mom. I'm sorry, again..." Aiden looked down, getting a kiss on the forehead. "I'll always forgive you, sweetheart." Madeline smiled, grabbing her purse with a sigh. "Bye sweetheart..." "Bye mama.." They hugged once more, before his mother finally left the building.

Aiden was brought to his room, "Your room number is 220, and here's your key." The nurse smiled, handing him the rubber bracelet that he assumed had a sensory chip inside it that he held up to the 'doorknob'. "Some patients have stolen the belongings of others so this is a relatively new feature to keep the personal items of patients safe." She explained further, getting a nod from Aiden.

"Thanks..." He said, giving her a small smile.

The woman nodded, "There'll be social hour in a few minutes, you can change into your gown and settle down a bit until I come by to lead you into the lounge." She smiled, giving him a little wave as she began her walk down to assist other patients.

Aiden opened the door, looking around. As expected, everything had rounded corners and was in a shade of insufferable industrial white. He sighed, changing into the white and pale blue gown she gave him. He put on a pair of grippy socks since it was freezing, and laying on the soft cushioned bed.

Aiden looked at the ceiling.

This place didn't seem so bad.

At least, compared to where he'd been before.

He heard a knock at his door, "Mr. Solace?" A nurse came in without needing entry from the inside. He figured it meant they had a master bracelet they could use to open any room door.

"Yeah?" He asked, sitting up.

"It's social hour, you can follow me." She smiled.

Aiden didn't feel like going. He wanted time to himself, yet he agreed anyway and stood up to follow behind her.

They walked down the large hallway, to the elevator as the woman listed the schedule for each day.

"You'll wake up at 8am to do vitals, 8:30 for therapy sessions, breakfast at 9am, medications at 10am, then there's free time. There'll be activities, games, and movies for you to bond with other patients. certain things will not be permitted for specific patients due to their situations.. but hopefully you can make a friend or two. Between 10:15-3pm is free time after meds, then there'll be group therapy for another 30 minutes. After that, at around 4:00 there'll be social hour- like now. After 5pm you'll have the rest of the day to yourself. Clear?" She explained, smiling softly at Aiden.

They were already on the main floor now, entering the lounge room. "Yeah..." He muttered, nodding and fidgeting with his nails. He avoided looking at anyone, not wanting to offend anybody.

He learned that the hard way.

They were in the lounge now, several people from his unit quietly doing their own thing or others sat by themselves.

"Attention everyone!" All eyes turned to the nurse.

"This is our new patient, Aiden. Remember what we talked about last week about kindness and understanding, okay? Be nice and make him feel welcome!" She smiled. "Someone will bring back a snack tray for everyone to get a quick thing to eat, a friendly reminder that everyone has to eat at least one fruit and two vegetables a day!" She added, writing something on her clipboard.

Aiden internally groaned.

This place felt like a kindergarten.

He felt like he might've picked the trashy hospitals before this one because at least they didn't treat him like he got detention or something...

Everyone basically ignored her however, going back to whatever they were doing and letting time pass.