Page 34 of Fever Dream

Chapter Nineteen

Dr.Jay Branson

Journal Entry

At approximately 1400 hours, Mrs.Grace Solomon was delivered for her session.I have increased her therapy sessions from twice a week to three times after the incident in the common area with Joy Delton, a mongoloid patient.It was reported that Mrs.Solomon instigated an altercation between Ms.Delton and the staff.

This afternoon Grace seemed fearful or depressive.It was difficult to get an accurate read due to her closed off demeanor.“I’m going to cut straight to the chase, Grace… what happened in the common room was a travesty, and that’s putting it mildly.”

“I would agree with you on that.”

“Would you like to tell me about your part in the incident?”

“My part?I was a witness to a patient with a disability being abused.That was my part.”

“So you accept no blame for what took place.”

“Why would I?”

Patient cannot accurately self-reflect.“Your neighbor said she heard you and Charles arguing about his travel schedule.Not long before he and the children went missing.Did you fight often?”

“We had a disagreement.It was not a fight.”The patient seemed agitated.More today than in previous sessions.“Anyway, I want to talk about Joy.”

“What about Joy?”

“Where is she?Where are you keeping her?”

“Ms.Delton is very sick.”

Grace’s body language shifted from one of agitation to one of great resolve.She was ready to go head to head, and this suggests we are making improvement.Things are progressing.At the same time, her insistence that we discuss Joy Delton proves she is practicing deference.Mrs.Solomon is transferring her pain and fear onto others.Furthermore, she’s becoming progressively more demanding and irrational.“She is a human being.You can’t treat her this way.”

“Do you have a medical degree, Grace?”

“No.”

“Then I suppose that leaves you little say, not to mention a lack of experience, when it comes to Ms.Delton’s treatment, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t need a medical degree or any other kind to tell me what is right and what is wrong.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I think you know.”

She crossed her arms across her chest and looked away.She was shutting down.“What will you give me to tell you about Joy?”

Her head snapped in my direction.“What do you want?”

“I want you to tell me what you’re capable of.Now that I think you see me for who I am…let’s talk about you.”

“Fine.”

“What caused this disagreement with you and Charles?”

“His travel schedule.”

“He was a businessman.He traveled often, I take it.What had changed?”

“Heisa businessman.And, yes, he did travel often.What changed was we’d had a baby.It was a challenging time.”