Family is Forever

Part 56

"Hey, Zosh." Ali smiled at her older cousin. They're sat in the 'family room' at the psych unit. It's filled with the comfy type of waiting room seats, a table and a TV. Also a little kitchenette. Zosia forced a smile for her younger cousin. "How are you doing?" Ali asked sensitively putting her head on her cousins shoulder "Putting on a good face for a bad game as we'd say in Poland." Zosia answered. Ali knew that ment not great but is trying her best to grin and bear it.
Ollie was outside the room talking to the psychiatrist. "How is she?" He asked
"No longer psychotic and has fallen into depression."
"When can she come home?"
"Next weekend hopefully. So in about a week. She obviously won't be able to go back to work straight away... we would like to discharge her before Christmas but she'd need counselling. Don't mention anything to her yet though."

Ollie walked into the room. "Hey girls, how about we order some Chinese or pizza if you'd find that easier Ali? you must be so bored of this hospital food Zosia?"
"Chinese food is fine if you'd prefer." Ali smiled
"You sure?" Ollie asked. Ali nodded in reply. He got the menu up in his phone and they all ordered a meal and rice, and some starters to share. They put some football on the TV and kept trying to include Zosia in conversation but she was giving mostly one word answers. "Ooh we decorated the tree." Ali told Zosia and showed her the photos. "Ollie wanted to put the star on already. I told him no way!" Ali giggled. Ali wandered over to the cupboard that  contained a load of games so she picked up the logo game and they all started to play it.
Ollie just won as he got a text saying the Chinese had arrived so he went down to the reception and brought it up.
When he came back in Ali and Zosia we're talking in Polish. He saw Zosia smiling a little and wondered why he could not make her smile the way Ali could. "Przepraszam, nię mowię po Polsku." He said nervously sounding out each syllable. "Wow," Zosia laughed-actually laughed. "How did you know that?"
"I had a very good teacher." He smiled and Ali blushed. "You were a good student," she said to Ollie then turned to Zosia. "I thought since I was teaching him about Christmas I'd teach him a few words." Ali smiled.
Ollie put the food in the middle and grabbed some plates and cutlery from the kitchenette. Ollie was watching 2 very anxious girls. Zosia's bi polar disorder  gave her severe anxiety and being in hospital and seeing her family made her nervous. Although Ali was able to force herself to eat both in and out of Day treatment her anxiety around food hadn't reduced. Ali spooned a small amount of rice and chicken onto her plate, took a deep breath and began to eat.
After the meal Ali was wringing her hands in her lap. Ollie smiled at her, it was better than tears and self harm. Zosia looked at Ali too. "Natalia, well done, you're eating so well kochaine." Zosia smiled. Ali looked up at her cousin. "Thank you." Her eyes filled with tears. "Do you know...when you can come home? I miss you....I don't mean....I love Ollie....but I miss you." The tears began to fall. "I miss you." Zosia's eyes filled with tears too. "As soon as I'm allowed. I want to come home too."