Sanity

SANITY

“You’re so pathetic,” Leticia screamed, “why do I waste my time with you?” 

“I suppose you just enjoy making me suffer.” Susan whispered. 

“You belong here in this dreary dismal room, with its dreary walls, and that window, with a perfect little view of the miserable little alley.  The bars are there for a reason you know; to keep people like YOU inside!” 

“White . . . the room is white.”  Susan declared, her short brown hair framing her delicate features. 

“Yes it is, ” Leticia returned, “you’re so good with the obvious.  How come you can’t be better at other things, I mean, you couldn’t even get suicide right.  You down a whole bottle of pills, then you call 911 for help.  How pathetic.  Next time try a gun, it’s much more effective; no turning back.” 

“STOP it, stop it now.”  Susan’s tears covered her face. 

“You don't have the stomach for it.  You’re so fragile, no, not fragile, more like flaccid.  Look at you.  You wanted them to put you here, you practically begged for it.” 

“You are so cruel.”  Susan turned her back on Leticia and sat on the end of the bed looking at the floor.  She felt a tightening in her chest, like it was clenching her heart and her heart in response began to beat more rapidly. 

There was a bitter silence for several awkward minutes. 

A knock at the door and Terence came into the room.  “Leticia, is there no end to your cruelty?  I could hear you all the way down the hall.  Leave her alone.” 

Leticia spun around, “What are YOU doing here?” 

“I have every right to be here and there is nothing you can do about it.” 

Leticia slapped Terrence with incredible swiftness. 

“Typical,” he spat, “so typical.” 

“Would you two PLEASE try to get along, I asked Terrence to come here.  I am sick of you being here all the time Leticia and I need his company.” 

“How DARE you.”  Leticia raised her hand again, paused and thought better of it.  “You will NEVER speak to me in that manner again.” 

“Or what? What are you going to do?” 

“There will be consequences,” Leticia went on, “severe consequences.” 

“Will you leave me alone?” Susan cried, “Just leave me alone, PLEASE.” 

A cruel smile began to form on Leticia’s face. 

“You are such a bitch Leticia,” Terrence declared, “look what you’ve done now.  She’s already vulnerable." 

“Oh, her valiant chivalrous knight has arrived to protect her.” 

Susan’s sobbing grew louder. 

The nurse came, her Nun’s short habit was wrinkled.  “Honey, is everything okay in here?”

“Oh, Sister De La Torre, they are so loud, and they are fighting, constantly fighting.” 

Sister De La Torre put her arm around  Susan’s shoulder.  “I’ll see what I can do, okay?” 

“Thank you Sister.” 

“You’re welcome,” she said as she walked out the door. 

“You know what will happen if they make us leave, don’t you?” Leticia screamed. 

“She will have peace.”  Terrance shot back at her. 

“She won’t have peace, THAT is not going to happen.” 

Susan’s tears were coming now with great heaving sobs.  Suddenly, she got to her feet and took Terrence over into the corner.  “Do you think I should pray?  Maybe the Blessed Virgin will see fit to make her leave?” 

Terrence looked deep into her eyes, then back at Leticia who was standing there grinning cruelly at them with her arms crossed over her chest.  Her black hair was long and straight with her bangs across her eyebrows. 

Leticia’s eyes were fierce and piercing. “You two go ahead and cower over there in the corner, I know what this is about,” she gestured to the cross on the wall, “God’s not going to help you, He thinks you BOTH are pitiful.” 

Susan’s sobbing got louder, “mean, vicious, CRUEL!” she screamed. 

Terrence did his best to console her.  With his arm around her shoulder,  he gently led her back to the bed.  He removed her slippers and placed them neatly on the floor. 

“Knock, knock,” called Dr. Vaughan, “how are you today Susan?”  Dr. Vaughan entered the room with Sister De La Torre close behind him. 

“Not so good doctor.” 

“And who are your friends Susan?” 

“Well, Leticia you know.” 

Leticia stuck out her tongue at the doctor. 

“And this is Terrence,” Susan gestured toward Terrence, “he’s my best friend.” 

Dr. Vaughan nodded.  “I have a new medication I want you to try, its called quetiapine, it should help you to get some rest, okay?” 

“Are you sure?”  Susan asked, feeling just slightly hopeful.

“NO, he’s not sure, look at him.”  Leticia spat in his direction, “quack, Quack, QUACK!” 

“It has been successful for a lot of people, I think it will work well for you.” 

Susan took the pill from Sister De La Torre and the water cup.  She looked at Terrence and Leticia and took the pill. 

Terrence hung his head and walked out.  Leticia sat on the other end of the bed and refused to leave.  She tried to speak but had no voice.  She threw her hands in the air and stormed out of the room. 

“Thank you doctor!” Susan called to him as he left the room. 

“You’re welcome, I will check on you tomorrow, okay?” 

“Sure.”  Susan laid on the bed with its crisp white sheets in peace.  She heard the doctor in the hall, recording his report. 

“The patient is a 24-year-old female, newly diagnosed with schizophrenia with major depression who suffers from visual and auditory hallucinations . . . .”

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