Two weeks later Jake bounded down the stairs in nervous anticipation.
"Oh look at my little man all dressed up for his new job!" Reba exclaimed seeing Jake enter the living room as she got up from the couch.
"Hey remember that tomorrow and Thursday I work later with the cleaning crew so those days I wont be back till nine." Jake said as he attempted to adjust his tie
"I know."
"Also I can't really use my cell phone at work mainly because it could freak out some of the patients so if anything goes wrong call the institution ok?"
"Ok I got it."
"It's just a four day work week but long hours"
"I got it."
"Maybe you should put the institution number in your phone."
"I did."
"And don't forget…"
"Jake! Honey I got it all written down. There is no need to worry ok?"
"Ok sorry. I guess I'm just a little excited."
"We are all excited for you."
Just then Brock and Barbra Jean burst through the front door
"Hey guys." Brock said as he beamed at his son and ex wife, slapping Jake on the shoulder "Just wanted to see Jake off to his first day on the job. How ya feeling buddy?"
"Somebody is a little nervous. Gosh it seems like yesterday you were two and afraid of sprinkler." Reba said tearfully as she slapped Jakes hand away and began to adjust his tie
"Go from a sprinklers, to your first job then across the country to Yale. Boy you have grown up on us.'" Brock said happily
"Thanks Dad but I better get going I don't want to be late." Jake said quickly feeling uneasy with the sudden attention''
"Don't worry I have been praying for you. Not to mention all those poor souls being treated in the institution. " Barbra Jean exclaimed suddenly appearing by the teenagers side
"That is actually very sweet Barbra Jean." Reba said with a hint of surprise
"Thank you Reba. Hey Jake you think when they make the movie about you being an amazing psychologist I could get casted as a hot but beautifully caring nurse?" Barbra Jean asked as she flipped her hair looking off into the distance "Wait who would play me?...Nicole Kidman."
"That's funny I imagined someone else playing you." Reba said as she finished fixing Jakes collar
"Oh who?" Barbra Jean asked happily
"Godzilla."
" Oh." Barbra Jean said after a pause as she began to play with a lock of Reba's red hair "It looks like somebody is feeling a little defensive now that her last birdie is leaving the nest." Before Reba could fight off Barbra Jean yanked the red head into a crushing hug "Mama bird aaalllll by herself."
" You better let go before I give you bird flu." Reba retorted
"Well we be better get going, don't want to get you in trouble on your first day. Knock 'em dead!" Brock said as he pulled his wife to the door
"You don't have to go to work for another two hours." Reba said once the two exited the door pulling Jake down to sit next to her on the couch.
"Yeah but they don't know that." Jake said with a mischievous smile
"Have I told you that you're my favorite?"
Jake was surprised how less of a hospital the institution looked as he walked through the sun filled halls. Jake looked around in awe of all he was about to learn as his newest boss Dr. Burgundy. The doctor toward almost everyone being six foot seven, he was in his mid forties with dark brown hair that was sprinkled with grey streaks. His piercing blue eyes scanned over the ward with scrutiny.
"Your teacher told me that you are one of the most intelligent students he ever had. I hope you can keep that image up." said in a faint French accent as he led his new employee around the ward "Alright and over here we have our communal dining hall. In the activities room and here is where you will be allowed most of your interaction with the patients. I have other duties so how about you stay here and interact. I will have Kyle come to you later and explain your cleaning duties."
"Thank you sir." Jake said quietly as his eyes scanned over the room that was filled with patients as the settled in for the afternoon meal.
"There is no need to worry. These are our more subdued patients so they wont have much of a problem with you. Also we have professionals on hand if anything out of line occurs and other interns you may converse with." The Doctor said with a half smile seeing Jakes nervous glances "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Hart I look forward to working with you." With that the doctor disappeared from sight.
Jake looked around unsure of what to do next. He wasn't sure what he was expecting coming to work at the institution but it certainly wasn't being thrown right into interacting with patients with little to no training. Slowly he began to zig zag through the tables, he only spoke with the patients when they would acknowledge him. Quickly he began to understand what the doctor meant by the group being more subdued. Most were polite and even endearing; a few took some time before they began to speak with the interns circling around them. Later on Jake found out that the handful that took some time to respond were schizophrenic and were unsure of whether or not Jake was a real person or just another cruel trick from their mind. Immediately after lunch the group shuffled to the activity room across the hall for art projects. A couple hours passed by quickly as Jake soaked in everything the patients did. It was a completely different experience to listen about disabilities in the classroom then to see the disabilities face to face in the institution. Jake was deep into a conversation with an elder woman about how her painting is of a man in a blue suite that had been visiting her for the past forty years.
"Does he ever say anything to you?" Jake asked as he leaned forward in his seat hanging on to every word
"Sometimes he just asks about my day. Sometimes he just sits there and sometimes he just says cryptic messages that I still don't really understand." The woman said thoughtfully
"Wow. Are you ever scared of him?"
" When he first showed up it scared me but as the years went by I just knew he would be there, I never know when he will show up but I just know he will. You don't really fear whatever is constant in your life."
"I guess not."
Suddenly a young man only a few years older then Jake appeared before the two. The young man with sandy blond hair turned to Jake and stared at him for a moment.
"Jake Hart?" The sandy haired boy asked
"Yeah?" Jake asked slowly
"Hey man I'm Mike I'm head of the cleaning crew here I need to show you the ropes."
"Oh ok cool." Jake said quickly as he stood but looked over to the woman sitting beside him not wanting to leave the conversation
Mike turned to the woman with a gentle smile "Sorry to steal him away Gloria."
"No problem honey." Gloria said smiling back "But could you help me back to my room?"
"Of course." Mike said as took the woman by the hand and helping her up
The three walked through the white corridor as they headed towards Gloria's room. As they proceeded down the hall a few patients would pass them either heading to class or to their room for rest. The halls are usually rather quiet under strict rule that everyone tries to keep a calm environment for everyone else's healing process.
"This is me." Gloria said pointing to the door just two doors down to the right. Jake was lost in talking to Mike and Gloria about the hallway rules when suddenly Jake bumped into a tiny body. Jake looked down to two big brown eyes staring up at him belonging to a tiny mousy looking woman. Large chestnut curls went every which way a top her head and framing a small heart shaped face that was splattered with freckles across her pink flushed cheeks and nose.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't looking. Are you ok?" Jake said quickly feeling embarrassed by his recklessness. The young woman said nothing as she stared up at Jake in a look of awe and confusion.
"Oh hey there Sitcom." Gloria said sweetly to the woman "Any good reruns on today?"
Jake just then noticed Sitcom was clutching onto a portable television in her hands. The black box was held closely to her chest with one hand as the other hand nervously twiddled with the metal antenna. "Brady Bunch." Sitcom responded softly.
"I love that show!" Mike piped in "My favorite was Jan she always got screwed over."
"Curse of the middle child." Gloria said with a laugh
Sitcom remained silent though a small smile flashed across her face for just a moment. Before the conversation could continue Sitcom darted away from Jake and down the hallway.
"Her name is Sitcom?" Jake asked turning to Mike
"Yeah I heard she came here and they kept asking her what her name was but the only word she would say for like two weeks was "sitcom" so we call her that. Dr.B got the bright idea to get her a portable TV so maybe she would communicate more. She does talk to us more but everything she says is still just a TV reference." Kyle said matter of factly
"The poor dear. She's just a baby like you two." Gloria said as she watched Sitcom hurry down the hall "I will see you two later. I'm an old woman that needs rest."
The rest of the day went by in a blur of brand new instructions and rules to work by. It was the most intense, exhausting and emotionally draining days of his life but in all truth Jake Hart couldn't be happier. Jake walked into his home and collapsed on the couch as he loosened his tie.
"Hey dude how was work at the nut house?" Van asked as he plopped on the couch flipping on the television
"It was ok." Jake said flatly
Van flipped through the channels, Reba entered the living room sitting down between Van and Jake. "How was your first day honey? You look exhausted." Reba asked patting Jake's leg
"It was good." Jake responded quietly staring blankly at the glowing screen
For a moment the Brady Bunch theme song filled the quiet living room, Van flipped passed it.
"Wait go back.' Jake said turning back to Van
"Where?" Van asked surprised by Jake's request
"Just go back"
"Where?"
"Right there?"
"Yeah there"
"The Brady Bunch? I didn't know you liked this show."
"Guess it's a good show."
"It's dumb"
"No it's not I think sitcoms are cute." Reba said hitting Van lightly on the chest as she curled up more on the couch
"Yeah I guess sitcoms are ok." Van sighed realizing he lost the battle over the channels before it even begun
"Yeah I like sitcoms.' Jake said more to himself with a half smile as sleep took him over