entirely different world.’ Mom spoke up for the first time. She wasn’t crying today. No, she’d pulled herself together the way Mom always did, and now she was on a mission.
‘Different world? Sorry?’ Ethan said.
Mom straightened. ‘My daughter believes she lives in an alternate reality. She says she goes there every night. To another life!’ she shrieked.
‘Oh my god,’ Ethan whispered. I felt the urge to jump up and tell him it wasn’t like that, but really … it was. They just didn’t realise it didn’t make me delusional.
‘Ethan, you might be of some assistance with this patient,’ Dr Levi said.
My father scoffed. ‘He’s a nurse. He’s hardly equipped to be dealing with this.’
‘Actually, along with his nursing qualifications, Ethan has been studying Psychiatry. He’s one of my star pupils and has a very promising future ahead of –’ Dr Levi stopped mid-sentence before awkwardly starting up again. ‘Establishing a connection is key in these cases. If Sabine has already formed a bond with Ethan, he may be our best hope of getting her to open up.’
‘Ah, I don’t think … I can’t … No. She needs someone more … someone better,’ Ethan stammered.
‘And I will be here,’ Dr Levi continued as if Ethan hadn’t spoken. ‘I’ll assess her when she wakes up and hold daily sessions with her. But if Dr Meadows does not object, Ethan will be given charge of her during the night shift. It’s not the most conventional method, but it’s possibly the time she might feel the most comfortable opening up.’
Ethan started up again. ‘Dr Levi, I’m not the one to … You know why this is not … Please don’t –’
‘Ethan, what’s the problem? You’re here anyway. May as well keep busy.’ Dr Levi shrugged as if it was all decided.
Before Ethan could object again I rolled over, keeping my eyes closed.
‘She’s starting to wake up,’ Dr Meadows said.
No shit.
‘Here are some of her things,’ Mom said quickly.
‘We’ve checked it all as you requested,’ my father added.
‘Thank you. Would you like to stay and talk to her?’ Dr Meadows asked.
‘Er, no. We have to get back to the drugstore. We’ll stop by in the next day or so,’ he said. I heard their footsteps as they walked towards the door.
‘Very well. I assure you she is in good hands.’
I heard my father stop. When he spoke his voice was low and private. ‘Dr Levi, we’re sure you understand. We work in this industry. It would not do well for too much of this to get out into the medical community … We need to protect our business.’
‘Discretion is a given, John.’ It was the right thing to say, but the reply sounded weary.
‘Well then, let’s keep her here,’ he said firmly.
‘Certainly, John,’ Dr Meadows said. ‘I’ll see you out.’
I waited until I was sure my parents were gone. They hadn’t wanted to talk to me, but the feeling was definitely mutual. I didn’t know if I could ever look at them again.
‘You can open your eyes now,’ came Dr Levi’s voice from beside me.
I looked up at him. He was the only one who’d stayed behind. ‘How did you know?’
He smiled. ‘Years of experience. So, where should we go from here?’
I turned my head to the side and took a few shaky breaths. ‘Am I going to be tied down again?’
‘I hope not. The clinic doesn’t like to use force to achieve its goals. Hopefully you will soon see that. We have four levels here, though you will be confined to the lower two. The second floor is the eating disorders unit; drug and alcohol on the third, and the top floor is long stay and terminal care.’
Wow, fun times.
‘And where am I?’ I didn’t imagine they had a floor for multiple lives.
‘This is the first floor; it caters for both mood disorders and intensive care. For now, you will be confined to your room until you earn privileges.’
‘Privileges?’
He nodded. ‘Once we start working together and you show a willingness to cooperate, we can add privileges to your daily program. Outside time, personal items, television, phone – those kinds of things.’
He checked his watch while I stared at him in horror. Privileges? As in out-frickin-side time? I was in prison!
There was a knock at the door and Ethan came in.
‘I’m off now, but I’ll be back tonight, Levi,’ he said.
‘Thank you, Ethan. Leave a report for me in the morning.’
With a nod he backed out, barely glancing in my direction before closing the door.