Two weeks later, Diana had tried to do everything right to help her fight off her continued lack of sleep and feelings of paranoia, but things were getting worse, especially when the Jones family moved across the street. Her friends and family tried to help,intervention wasn't helping well. The day of Spencer's 7th birthday, her auditory hallucinations she had been hearing for a week had increased in volume. The new dosage of medication wasn't working. Diana was terrified when she woke up that morning.
" William! They're louder!"
" You can't trust her. Stepford wife , She's a Stepford wife. Be careful, watch out," heard Diana.
" What's louder, honey,"? said William in the calmest voice he could manage.
" The voices, not real, not real, must ignore, must ignore, right William?"
" Yes, honey."
She fought the voices as she got ready for the day, fighting for her grip on reality. Then the doorbell rang,it was Monica Jones, with a tray of cookies. William answered.
" Hello, Monica."
" Tell Spencer I said Happy Birthday. Sister Anne mentioned it at prayer group. Is Diana available?"
" No, she's not. I'm sorry, but I have to go." Willam put the cookies away and walked to the bedroom.
" No, No, No! She's not a Stepford wife. I'll never be one, no, no!" Diana was punching her pillow. Just then Spencer walked in the room.
" Spencer, it's your birthday. I can't let you down," exclaimed Diana.
" Mom you don't sound well. I can have another party," said Spencer.
" He's right honey. What's going on?", asked William.
" They say she's a Stepford wife, she and Tom can turn me into one."
" Spencer, please get ready to go to Jeff's house, no arguing," said William.
Spencer knew his dad meant business and hoped his mom would stay safe.
" I'm going to call your psychiatrist," said William.
" My meds, oh God please make them work and my sleep medication, need more sleep."
" Diana, I'm going to get you a PRN for anxiety and your morning medication. But first call your psychiatrist."
" I am not a robot, not a robot."
" No, oh honey, can I give you a hug?"
" Please!"
" We'll get through this, dear. Kiss?"
" Please!"
" Want your Walkman?"
" Yes."
Once Diana was settled. William called her psychiatrist and everyone on her support list invited to a birthday party that wasn't going to happen. To the newer friends, he was vague. But Anne, Veronica and Jeff's mom Anna knew Diana's symptoms had escalated. This was spelled out in the relapse prevention plan he created with Diana and her treatment team.
" Diana, Diana.." William waved his hand in front of her face, afraid a touch may startle her.
" Help!" She replied.
"Here are your meds. Would you like to try to sleep?"
" Yes, sleep."
After some sleep, Diana woke up stiff. It was a side effect of the antipsychotic medication, but her mind jumped to another conclusion. She had become a Stepford wife, looking at a half eaten cookie she knew the cookie must have done it.
" William, save me!" She screamed.
" Diana? What's wrong?" William was sitting beside her in a chair.
" Stepford Wife, Stepford Wife," Voices chanted and snickered.
" I'm a Stepford wife, a robot!"
" You've thought that wasn't true before. How'd you think that happened?"
" Cookie, who made it?"
" A neighbor." William was mentally kicking himself for accepting the cookies from the happy homemaker.
" Monica!"
" Yes, so you think.."
" They had something in them that made me a robot!"
" Do you want to see your psychiatrist?"
" I trust her, Anne, Veronica, Anna, Fr. John, our new priest, and the Richards."
" Good, very good people to trust. Dr. Wilson is free now. Would you like me to confirm that you are ready to see her or do you want to go to the emergency room?," asked William keeping as calm as he could.
" Anne, I want Anne." Diana paced the bedroom.
" Here, or at the hospital?"
" Here and Veronica."
" Ok, I'm calling Veronica and the convent, now."
William began deep breathing and prayer as he dialed.
A few minutes later, Anne and Veronica were at the front door. Diana clung to Anne like her life depended on it and told her what she believed had happened.
" Diana,you seem terrified. That sounds so frightening. I think you should go to the hospital," suggested Anne.
" This can't be my body, no." Diana paced the room
" Diana, I agree with your sister. You should go to the hospital", said Veronica.
Diana was sobbing now. Her hands over her ears.
" Diana, let us help you, honey. Can you hear me?," asked William.
Diana nodded. " Don't let them see."
" Who, sweetheart?"
" The Joneses," whispered Diana.
Veronica looked out the window, the Jones family appeared not to be home. Thank God for small mercies, she thought.
" Don't leave me, anybody," said Diana.
" We won't we are here to help you," said Anne.
" Diana, do you want to hurt yourself?," asked Veronica.
" Become human again, deprogram."
" A doctor can help you feel better," said Anne.
" Good doctor, safe doctor, must trust," replied Diana with much effort.
" I trust the hospital very much. I work there," said Anne.
" I need a doctor now!," exclaimed Diana.
" Should we all go together?", asked Anne.
" Don't leave, anyone. All of us need to go together."
" You want me,Anne and Veronica to take you to St. Elizabeth's", clarified William.
" Yes. I need my rosary!"
" Ok, I'll get that. Veronica, can you get the med list?" asked Willam.
" I'll stay here with you until we are ready to leave. Should we pray together?" asked Anne.
" Pray for me. Hold my hand," said Diana,pleading.
" I will," said Anne.
At the Duran household, Spencer and his friend were playing Jenga. It was intense. Jeff was impressed with his young friend's skills.
" There is no way you are going to get that," said Jeff.
" That's just a guess. I have a small chance. I could get it," replied Spencer.
Slowly and cautiously, he removed the piece and it stayed.
" Awesome,Spencer!," said Jeff.
Just then the phone rang.
" I bet that's my Dad. Mom probably is going to the hospital," guessed Spencer.
When Jeff's mom, Anna told Spencer the news, he wished there was something he could do. Staying out of the way didn't feel like helping to Spencer, even if he knew it was. He hoped she'd be feeling better soon.