Chapter Three

Judy sat nervously in a small office on the first floor of the hospital. It has bright green wallpaper, a small bookcase and smells like vanilla lattes and Fuji apples.

"So You are Judy? And you work as an officer at the Police Force? " Judy's case worker Diana was a petite pig with a kind face and a smile that put her at ease.

"Yes." Judy stares at the pink pig in front of her. "I have worked there for about a year now. "

"I see Hon. Have you always lived in Zootopia?" The pig asks in a friendly tone.

"Not quite," Judy replies, "I moved here from Bunny burrow because of my dream of becoming a police officer."

"I see…" Diana marks something down on her papers. "So you mentioned getting some nightmares then?"

"Yes. I have been getting them for about 3 months now. Almost every night I have this dream of being chased by predators and I'm always out of breath by the end of it. It is affecting me so much that I am afraid to go to sleep at night. I am terrified of the dark and have a nightlight."

"Predators?" Diana looks up with some interests, " Have you had this happen to you before?"

"Yes…I had that happen to me before when I was on the Missing Predators case last year. "

"Wait a minute…" Diana removes her glasses and does a double take on Judy, "I knew I have seen you somewhere before…you were on TV before right? Giving that interview?"

"Yes I was…" Judy's nose twitches a little.

"Are you still afraid of Predators?" Diana asks.

"No…my best friend is a predator." Judy answers confidently.

"Well I think it's perfectly normal you are having these nightmares Judy." Diana closes her binder and looks at Judy with a smile.

"You see our brain sometimes stuffs down on traumatic memories such as abuse, well…that's a extreme example. In your case it was being chased by Predators. You were probably just too busy or scared to process those memories at that time. I suggest you keep a journal and just let out these thoughts and find a good friend to confide in…these things will be beneficial alongside the programs we offer here."

"Ok…I see. Thanks I will do that then." Judy gulps and feels overwhelmed with so much information.

"I know it's a lot to take in all at once," Diana smiles kindly, "Just do what feels right and comfortable to you."

"Thanks for the advice."Judy smiles gratefully, "I'll try that."

＊＊＊

Judy's first program was called Head Space.

"A chance to give your mind the healing it deserves. A lesson in Mindfulness…what is that? Like thinking about your mind extra hard?"

"Guess you'll find out…"Nick's voice trails off and then chuckles. "Maybe your head will get bigger because your mind will get so full."

"Huh?" Judy answers absentmindedly as she looks for her shoes,"…..oh was that a joke?"

"Took you long enough…"Nick rolls his eyes, "Anyways Carrots I gotta get back to work."

"Ok byes." Judy hangs up with a smile and shoves the phone in her bag.

*＊*

The Headspace class is held at the downtown community centre. Judy signs in at the front door and was told the class was being held 3 doors down the left.

Upon entering Judy met the curious eyes of a few students and took a seat on a mat. The class was organized in a circular fashion with colorful knitted cushions. At one end a familiar looking elephant sat with an impatient look.

"Oh…I remember you." Judy was suddenly hit by a flashback, " You're Nangi at Mystic Springs Oasis!"

"Yes you are correct…" Nangi stares at Judy calmly, "But I have no idea who you are."

"I'm Judy and I came last year to ask you some questions about a case with Nick…he's a fox."

Nangi stares at Judy and says slowly, "No….idea….."

Judy laughs awkwardly, "It's ok."

Nangi looks around the room, there's about 7-8 animals in the circle.

"Well…might as well start." She takes her trunk and blows it loudly, "Attention! WE ARE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX!"

Everybody gives a slight jump. The Skunk beside Judy puts a hand by her snout and whispers, "Trust me it gets better…"

"Ok! We have a new friend with us today!"Nangi gestures towards Judy and says,"Don't be shy! Introduce yourself!"

Judy gulps and stares at the 7-8 faces smiling at her expectantly.

"Hi! My name is Judy and it's my first day here for the Program. Nice to meet you all."

"Hi Judy!" "Hey Judy!" "Glad to have you here Judy!" A round of encouraging and welcoming voices surrounded her. Judy smiles and felt more at ease.

"So I'm going to give a little speal about Mindfulness for Judy's benefit." Nangi said," You know when you have some thoughts you don't like? Like thinking about how you are gonna run out of your supply of roasted peanuts in the future? Then you get really upset and your whole day is ruined?"

"Um…sort of." Judy nods in agreement.

"Well have you ever tried to stop thinking about those things?"

"Yes."Judy nods.

"Well it usually doesn't work right?" Nangi asks, "The whole point of mindfulness is to watch those thoughts and let them come, but focus on something like your breathing. Then you will find that your thoughts just leave naturally. "

"Hmmm…" Judy is confused but pretends she understands and nods.

"Just give it a try and see what happens. Let go of your control." Says Nangi.

*＊*

"So….How'd it go for your first day?" Nick asks as he greets her after her program.

"It was weird…"Judy says, "I have never sat so still before doing pretty much nothing."

"Ok….how do you feel?" Nick probs.

"I feel …nothing much. I feel pretty calm." Judy says truthfully.

"Apparently the more I practice, the calmer I'll be."

"Then practice!" Nick exclaims, "Calm is good! Calm is very good!"

"Ok, I'm going to be the calmest police officer in the Force! I'm going to set my alarm for 5:30AM tomorrow and practice sitting still and watching my breath!" Judy pumps her paw in the air.

Nick laughs. "It's just like you Judy to be super prepared and organized. I'll be expecting you to be super calm when you return to work."

*＊*

"So how is your sleep?" Judy's parents asks through her phone's monitor.

"Well, my psychiatrist prescribed me with some medication. I'm taking Seroquel XR 50mg and Lithium around 5pm everyday. I get tired and go to sleep around 9pm."

"You're taking medicine for sleep?!" Judy's mom's voice rose in anxiety, "What about the side effects?"

"Can't you just pray more and exercise?" Judy's dad asks in a worried tone.

"Well, maybe if my symptoms weren't so severe." Judy says, "but I feel this is the right choice for me. Of course medicine isn't the only thing that helps. I also go to groups, journal and talk with my social worker…oh and Nick has been really supportive."

"Oh…that Fox we met last time?" Judy's mom asks warily.

"Yes," Judy senses some uncomfortable tension and feels the need to stand up for Nick. "He's been really supportive."

"Look Judy…I don't know if I mentioned it last time, but our cousin Fanny runs a Naturopath Clinic. She says it's been very effective for rabbits like you…"

Rabbits like me? Judy feels a strange pang in her tummy. Am I really that different?

"Look mom and dad," Judy begins slowly, "I am really grateful for all your...your advice, but I think I have made a lot of progress and am on the right track…"

"All medicines are bad Judy! They don't solve the problem! They just suppress it…" Judy's Dad was very insistent on this issue.

"But my insomnia has been solved," Judy said hesitantly.

"But you have to be constantly on it!" Judy's mom yelps.

Judy felt guilt and tension in the pit of her stomach. It was getting close to bedtime and she was feeling more and more awake.

"Alright guys! Hate to do this but I've got to let you go!" Judy grins awkwardly. "Byes!" She quickly presses the hang up sign and sighs.

A month later…

Judy grins as she heads out the door and off to work. Nick, as usual is waiting for her outside.

"I must say your mindfulness practices are really paying off Judy. You seem really happy and your face is full of joy."

"Why thank you Nick!" Judy grins, "I guess my morning 15-mins of practice have been working!"

"Are you still getting nightmares?" Nick asks in concern.

"Once in a while…you know what? I think the whole experience with Bellweather shook me up more than anything. It made me realize I was unable to trust preys as well as Predators…everybody was the same if I didn't take the time to know them."

"And do you trust me after getting to know me?" Nick asks with a grin.

"Well…" Judy stares at him for a long time and then says, "I guess you're alright in my book."

"What do you mean by 'I guess'..?" Nick huffs.

Judy laughs and skips on ahead. The day was going to be a good one.

Chapter 3 ends