POWER

Chapter Seven

''Mom is everything alright?'' asked Taylor as her mother drove her to school. ''You know you don't have to visit Kendall if you really don't want to.'' Although this was a lie and Taylor desperately wanted her mom to see her sister, she also wanted Faith to be happy. ''Yes Taylor I do. She's being released in a month and I've seen her once. Don't worry about me, have a good day at school.'' Faith waved her daughter goodbye and proceeded to drive to Freedom - the rehab centre where Kendall was being hospitalised. She hadn't seen her daughter since she had first been admitted. It wasn't that she didn't want to and she definitely had no plans of neglecting her child, she was just scared. As much as she missed Kendall, Faith didn't want to see her in the state she was - depressed, oblivious to everything. However the nurse had contacted the Moore's with a medical update just the day before: Kendall was bipolar. 

Faith arrived at Freedom just as visiting hours started. She took a deep breath and commenced ahead into the buildings. ''Sign in please.'' Today's secretary was an older woman, probably about sixty thought Faith. She signed into the visitors log and passed the book back to the receptionist. ''Please leave any personal items here and remove any earrings and jewellery.'' Faith nodded as she removed her golden studs and her watch. ''Miss I need your rings as well.'' Faith looked at her hands and remembered her wedding rings. She handed them over to the woman who locked them all in a safe.

The automatic doors opened and Faith walked down the corridor and through to Kendall's room. She was nervous but relieved to see a sign on the door explaining how all visits must be supervised by a member of staff.

''Faith, how lovely to see you'' It was the same doctor who Faith met when Kendall had first arrived, it was also the same room. Except unlike before, Kendall was sitting up, reading. 

''Hi Kendall. How are you?'' She looked up from her book and stared at her mother.                                       '' I'm ... better. Better than I was.''                                                                                                                                             '' Good. What are you reading?''                                                                                                                                                 '' I've been here a while, why haven't you visited? Dad did.''  Faith looked at Kendall, who was looking right back at her and realised how thoughtless she must have seemed.                                                                  '' I thought you would need some time to adjust. I didn't want to disturb your treatment.''

The doctor started to show Faith Kendall's progress charts and Kendall returned to her book. Doctor Reynolds explained Kendall's medical routine of what medication she was taking and when and also what her newest diagnoses meant.

''It's a personality disorder. Her mood will vary from extreme depression to hyperactive which is why she was taking on so many  responsibilities. The drugs were her way of controlling her mood swings, she would numb herself. What these tables do it counter-balance the chemicals and hormones in a safe way.''

The visit was over and Faith went via the reception-area to retrieve her possessions. She went to drive to work (which was just around the corner) but decided to walk. 

Faith was glad she had managed to see Kendall and although she was ashamed it had taken her so long, it was nice to see her. And there had been a great improvement, Kendall was still not her normal, talkative self but at least she acknowledged Faith's presence. The Doctor said she had been talking more and had even been talking to other patients.