The Institute

Chapter Four- Picture of David

I had nightmares all night about when my family came to visit. In one, Josh got up in my face and started screaming at me how embarrassing it was to be related to a lunatic.

“What am I going to tell everyone at school?” He yelled. I woke up sweating and lied awake the rest of the night. When morning came, I expected to be sluggish and tired, but I was the complete opposite. I was all buzzed up on nervousness and adrenaline. I got rid of my pills, got dressed quickly and went to breakfast. I couldn’t eat anything so I just sat and listened to Lucy ramble on.

After breakfast, I sat on the couch looking at a wall.

“What’s the matter?” David asked, after I had been sitting like that for fifteen minutes.

“Huh? Oh, nothing,” I said.

“Come on, Jeremy. Look at your leg.”

I looked down and saw that I was tapping my foot against the floor. I tried to force it to stop but it wouldn’t, so I got up and started walking around the room.

“Do you want to, like, do something?” David asked. I mean there are still a couple hours until lunch and your appointment isn’t until after lunch. Parents usually visit during that time.”

“Can I ask you something?” I blurted out. David looked a little unsure.

“I guess. What is it?” he asked. I sat down next to him again.

“Do you remember when you first got here?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I do. I mean, it was only, like, the biggest event of my life.” He cleared his throat. “Why?”

“What was your first visit with your family like? Did they act like everything was normal? Was it awkward? Were they angry?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” David said, holding up his hands. “Chill. They still love you. Yeah, your mom will probably cry and all that, but she’s a mom! That’s what they do. Your dad, unless he’s some kind of mushy, feeling type of guy, he’ll probably just sit there, maybe squirming in his seat, all uncomfortable like, or something. Just relax. Everything will be fine.” I just nodded.

“You’re family is here,” he said when I sat down.

“Oh,” I said.

“Are you ready to see them?” he asked.

I guess.” I took a breath as Dr. Shrueger left the room to get them

When Dr. Shrueger came back with them, Josh wasn’t with them.

“Where’s Josh?” I asked.

“We decided to bring him in after you talk to your parents. Is that okay?” the doctor asked.

“Yeah.” I looked at my parents. My mom was smiling a nervous smile at me and my dad was looking at his shoes. “Uh, hey, Mom and Dad,” I said. My mom took this as an invitation to rush over and wrap me up in a hug.

“Oh, honey, we’ve all missed you so much at home! How are you doing?” she asked.

“Fine, considering,” I said. My mom sat back down in her chair and elbowed Dad. He cleared his throat.

“Hi, Jeremy,” he said all uncomfortable.

“Hey, Dad. How are things?” I asked not really knowing what to say.

“Okay,” he said then looked back at his feet.

“Well,” said Dr. Shrueger, clearly noticing the awkwardness. “How about your mom and dad and I go out into the waiting room and talk? We’ll bring Josh in here if that’s okay with you.” He didn’t wait for my reply, he just got up and gestured my parents out of the room. Neither of my parents looked back at me.