"Welcome to the ANDERSON INSTITUTE FOR THE MENTALLY INCAPPABLE! I will be your hostess today and show you around.My name is Courtney White. We'll start with the commons area," A woman with a white nurses suit, chubby cheeks, and a long blond braid running down her back introduces herself.
She leads us down the annoyingly bright hallways using a passkey to open a large metal door. It's like a cage. My palms start to sweat and my throat tightens up. Where is Jamie when I need her? Or maybe even Liam?
My dad engulfs my hand with his and I let out a shaky sigh of relief.
"Come on," My mom walks ahead of us.
"Are you okay to walk?" My dad asks me and I nod my head stiffly.
"I'm fine," I squeeze his hand. Courtney White, our hostess, stops in front of a cafeteria type of area, littered with about 7 patients. Both boy and girl.
"This is the cafe'. Where the patients come to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Courtney lets us take in the sight for a minute before leading us along. She stops in a cross section hallway pointing at two heavy metal doors. "This is the girls' wing," She points to the door on the left. "This is the boys' wing," She points to the door on the right. "We keep the doors locked at night and we normally keep them unlocked throughout the day. Each patient is required to be out of their rooms by 9:00a.m. Except for maybe the occassional few depending on their conditions."
Coutney turns around and leads us a little ways down the hall to a room labeled BE NICE ROOM. "This is the Be Nice Room where many of the patients come to mingle, play games, and watch t.v." I swallow deeply to try to cure my dry throat.
"And this is the SUNSHINE ROOM where the counselor holds daily group meetings where the patients must tell a happy moment of their day and how it made them feel. They also discuss other things." Courtney leads us forwards. "This is the facility library." She opens the door to a room covered with shelves and shelves of books. Then she leads us away. "Here are the classrooms. One room for 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders." She points to each individual door lining the hallways. "We have on campus teachers that teach."
I don't want to be here. It's horrible no matter how much they try to cover it up with nice words. It's horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE!
"Lastly, we have the courts where the patients are allowed 2 hours of outdoor time. They can play basketball, tennis, volleyball, or just sit down and relax. We also take our patients on frequent trips to the community pool which we reserve for occasions." Courtney rubs her hands down her thighs. "Now here is some bad news: If you wish to have your daughter committed there is a 3 month delay because all the slots are taken. But, we expect to have a vacancy in 3 months." Courtney leads us back out to the main area where all the patients aren't allowed.
"That's fine. Just hold our spot," My mother sighs deeply, agitated,
"Great, please come fill out this information," Courtney leads my mom to a small office and my dad and I sit down in the waiting lobby.
"Please dad. Don't make me come here," I feel tears press at my eyes.
"You have to get better, Rose. I'm just sorry your mother schelduled this on your birthday. I am really sorry. I didn't know," My dad hugs my shoulders.
"Well can we atleast go out to lunch? You, Jamie, and I? Just us?" I ask him.
"Of course, just us." My dad hugs me tighter. My mother finally comes from the back and we follow her out to the car.
"Drop me off at the spa please Nick," My mother turns down the radio, my dad nods and drops her off.
"Let's go pick up Jamie and have lunch," My dad smiles at me through the rearview mirror and my day brightens up instantly.
"I want cake! Can we have cake?" I ask excitedly.
"Of course we can have cake. It is your birthday!!" My dad laughs at my child like outburst.
"Thank you daddy," I smile at him.
"I'd do anything for you and Jamie. You know that right?"
"Who doesn't?" I smile wider and my dad chuckles.
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Everything I Hide From You
Jugendliteratur"Even if I had one wish I still wouldn't tell you the truth about me. The truth about me is too bad for words. I could never mention it or tell. Not a single soul. Not even you. Please don't make me tell you. I love you. Isn't that enough? I love yo...
