Journey towards Acceptance

Are you Sure you Want to?

An entire month has passed and nothing has dramatically changed at Briarcliff. More patients were being sent in the institution and the nuns were trying to take care of them, but that was not unusual. Sister Mary Eunice remains the only person in the institution that knows about Lana’s and Jude’s relationship and the couple is closer than ever.

It is 21:00 and as per usual, Lana was in Jude’s office, watching her girlfriend working from the other end of the desk.

“Babe, we are together for two months. Can you believe it?” Lana said excited.

“Has it been two months already?”

“I know right. If we were out of here I would buy you a gift for every day we are together.”

“Lana, that is very cute, but there would be no reason for that. You being next to me every single day is the only gift I need in my life.”

With that comment Lana reached and grabbed Jude’s hand.

“I want you to feel special and make up for all the times you felt unwanted and unworthy in the past. I want you to know that you are the best thing that happened to me and you are the reason I still have my sanity.” Lana had tears building in her eyes thinking of how important Jude was in her life.

“Lana dear, are you okay?” Jude said squeezing Lana’s hand.

“Jude, I want us to leave. I can’t stay in this place anymore.”

“Just say when and we will be out of here.”

“How are we leaving? You said it yourself the first day I got in. If the monster is not defeated, I am going nowhere.”

“You forget two important things dear. I am coming with you so we can’t just say you were treated.”

“That would mean I would leave on my own. The whole point is for us to escape together.” Lana was in deep thought but then remembered what Jude previously said “Wait, what was the other thing?”

“I am glad you are finally paying attention. You my dear didn't come in here like any our other patients.”

“I know. I came here as your true love and salvation" Lana said with a smirk

“Yes, but also you sneaked in. And just like that"

“We will sneak out” Lana completed Jude's sentence. “With a slight exception.”

“And what might that be?”

“I was let in by Mary Eunice”

“I am struggling to understand what the problem is here.”

“We have to convince her first in order to be free. If she says ‘no’ then our whole plan goes to hell. Will we be able to convince her?" there was genuine concern in Lana’s eyes.

“We will talk to her first thing in the morning and fins out.” stood up from her chair, walk to the other side of the desk and crouched in front of Lana.

“Judy, I don’t want to pressure you into making this decision. I know for a fact that Briarcliff is your life’s work and that it is important to you.”

Jude placed a loving hand on Lana’s knee and the other on Lana’s cheek. “Lana, you are my world and you suffered enough at Briarcliff because of me. It is true that Briarcliff is important to me, but not for the reason you might think. Here I was reborn. I first had Mary and years later God blessed me with yet another gift, you. You are the turning point in my life and I want to be happy with you whether in Briarcliff or an apartment in the city.” Lana was crying but laughed at Jude’s last sentence.