Dr. Richardson
I swallow thickly. She forgave. She said she forgave. One cannot forgive without truly caring in the first place. Nora’s love for Holden is as real to her as the air she breathes. I stand and begin pacing.
“Dr. Richardson?” Nora asks.
I wave a hand in the air. “Nora, I’d like to take you on a field trip of sorts. Would you be up for that?”
She eyes me warily but nods. “I will need to tell Eve, so she knows what time to pick me up.”
“I will drop you at home later.”
“It’s an hour from here.”
“Yes.” I scoop up my purse and unhook my coat from the coat tree.
“Oh. Like right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
Nora stands and I hand her her coat. She puts it on slowly. From her pocket, she pulls out her cell phone. “I just need to text Eve.” She taps out a message and tucks her phone back into her pocket.
“So, where are we going?” she asks.
“To visit Amelia,” I say, holding the door open for her.
In the car, Nora looks around. She comments on the many features of my Lexus and how she loves the smell of leather.
“You have a dog?”
I cock my head and quickly glance her way as I merge onto the highway. “I do. How’d you know?”
She points to the backseat and I laugh. There are numerous dog toys scattered about.
“What kind? I love dogs,” she says.
“An old, lazy, basset hound.” Nora aww’s and smiles.
“Who is Amelia and where does she live?”
“We’re almost there, and you’ll find out soon enough.”
“It’s not like you to be so mysterious,” she comments.
“Sometimes,” I say, “mystery is needed to make an impact.”
I pull off the highway and ten minutes later into the visitor parking lot of Ridgeback State Psychiatric Hospital.
“I think I’d like to go home,” Nora says nervously.
I chuckle. “I’m not committing you, Nora.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” she deadpans.
“Come on. I want you to meet Amelia.”
Nora bombards me with questions on the way in. Who is Amelia, why is she meeting her, why is she here? I answer none of her questions.
“Dr. Richardson to see Amelia Carter,” I tell the station nurse. Once we are signed in, and Amelia is brought to the visiting room, Nora follows me wide eyed.
“Hello, Amelia,” I say. Her face lights up and she smiles.
“Robin, it’s so good to see you.” Amelia stands and hugs me. A pang of heartache ripples through me.
I pull away and look her over. “You look good.”
“Who is your friend?” she asks.
“This is Nora. Nora, this is Amelia.”
Nora extends a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Amelia says.
“Sit, sit. I don’t get visitors often.”
Nora and I both take seats.
“Tell me what’s new,” I say.
Amelia smiles. “Things have been lovely. Danny has been writing to me. Did I tell you we’re getting married?”
Nora’s face wrinkles in confusion.
“Who is Danny?” I ask.
“Robin, don’t be silly. You know my boyfriend.”
Sorrow hits me hard as I look across the table at the girl who was once my college roommate, friend—now a middle-aged woman living out her life in this destitute place.
“How did you meet him? Remind me,” I say.
Amelia’s eyes darken. “Well that’s not the good part of the story. He took me. Bad, bad boy. But he saved me, too. Ask me about how he saved me, Robin, that’s a better story.”
“He took you?” Nora interrupts.
Amelia nods. “It wasn’t all bad. Only the beginning. After that, I realized we were soul mates. Someday, he’s going to come for me and we’ll get married.” Her voice is soft and her face wears a wistful expression.
“Tell me how he saved you?” Nora asks. I lean back in my chair and wait. I want Nora to see the real world consequences of romanticizing what’s happened to her. To show her through Amelia, how deep the psychological effects take root and ruin lives.
“Oh,” Amelia looks to me, “I like your friend.” Then she’s focused on Nora again. “Well, it took me a while to learn. He had to discipline me, but after a while, I liked it. Sometimes, I was even naughty on purpose.” She giggles. “But he did it out of love. You know? Because he loved me so much. No one will ever love me the way he does. We took walks together. He talked about his life and how important I am to him. At night, he would tie me to different places and use the cane until I—”
“Okay, Amelia, I think she understands.”
Amelia pouts. She shuffles her slippered feet back and forth over the linoleum floor.
“Why are you here?” Nora asks. I wait patiently for my friend’s answer. I’ve never thought to ask her that question.
“Because, when they took me away from him, I was sad. So, so sad. I wanted to be with him and they wouldn’t let me. I did this.” She holds out her arms and shows off the scars on her wrists. “I tried a few times.” Her bottom lip juts out. “They kept telling me it’s wrong. He’s wrong. I’m wrong. Trying to die is wrong. So, I moved in here, where I can be watched.” Nora shudders.
“Where is Danny?” I ask.
“He’s in a place like this, too. Only bars and gates and locked doors can keep us apart.”
Nora looks at me. “He’s in prison for kidnapping her, torturing her and holding her hostage for over a year.” Nora bites her bottom lip.
“When Danny comes for you, you’ll leave with him?” Nora asks Amelia.
“Of course. We’re meant to be and no one can stop us from loving each other.”
“Dr. Richardson,” Nora whispers.
“Yes?”
“I’d like to leave now.”
“Not yet. I’d like Amelia to give us a tour of the facility. Show us what she does all day.”
Amelia claps her hands together and stands. “I’d love that. I don’t get many visitors.”