Inescapable Game of Tag

Compensating Manipulation

Sophie

There was some aggravated cries and groans when I woke up starving, but I calmed down upon remembering that later in the evening, I can have all I can eat. All money I could fish out, as well. A good day.

I was much more happy with my apartment after George and Lauren helped me fill the place up. Though it did take long for me to get to the finishing touches, having a bed to sleep on, a tv to watch, and, well, a couch to again sleep on, I was very much happy. Ah, so much nice, beautiful sleeping... Beds, couches, show reruns. Ah.

I got just a little bit of cereal (and now with the milk I needed) just to make sure I don't road rage in anger on the way there. I wasn't one for the whole church ceremony, which I've already discussed with Jasmine. So, I get more time to pretty myself up, to think things through, to rehearse. I only really knew Jasmine, and she'd clearly be busy, so I wasn't worried about anyone butting in and spilling the beans. I would have liked to spend time with her, but I didn't want to bother her.

The dinner would start at about 6 o'clock, it was little under an hour away. I had a lot of time, then. I'd have to bring some money for a cab home, because it'll end pretty late, and I know I'll be too out of it to drive myself. Aw, shit, then I'd have to take a cab over there, too.

In complete exhaustion, I stayed lying in bed later than normal. By the time I was getting some cereal, I noted the message on the answering machine, but decided to wait until I was finished eating. I was pretty sure I already knew what it was.

"Hello, Sophie Clark, we'd like to notify you that Blake Pedersen is going through a major session today." The secretary said. I just stuck my tongue out, completely fed up and annoyed. "Because of this, visitations have been canceled again. Sorry for the inconvenience. We'll notify you of anything else. Have a good day."

What a sack of bull.

God, the timing of all this just sucks ass, doesn't it? I mean, I didn't plan on visiting anyway, that would just eat away my time, but he's been unavailable all week. Lauren and George were going away in a week, they wanted to keep visiting him before they left. And those opportunities are all being taken away from them.

Not a letter, not a call. I mean, it was rare for him to snap out of it and send some sort of word for any of us. It was rare, not impossible. And they did try calling to his ward, they did send letters, but he's always been unavailable, and never sent anything back.

They were probably trying out different methods of therapy, it was likely very time-consuming. Again, I'd reiterate, all of this was a waste of time. He has gotten better, that I won't deny. He's had fewer outbursts, the doctors insisted. But, really, that was as far as things would go. Fewer outbursts, not none.

There was no point. The only reason he's there, is to keep he, and others, alive and safe. That's all. That's what the old doctor told me, too. There were two types of patients. One they wanted to help to get them out. The other to contain them. Blake was apart of the latter.

They were wasting resources.

I don't want Blake out of there. I don't think it's possible, anyway. I want a secret, justified place to see how he's doing. One that my family won't find out about. One that I could just say, hey, I just want to see his progress. Anything else is too much.

Plus, if the press found out about it and reported it, things would be bad for everyone. The Pedersens mostly. George and Lauren have already gotten a lot of heat. It's died down, sure, but because there's nothing left to report. Blake Pedersen was pleaded for insanity, was hospitalized, guardians sued. That was all done and dealt with. No more.