"Mom, why does there have to story problems when one has equations?"
"I don't know Spencer. I hate numbers. You can't distract me, I'm cooking" Diana replied.
Having an exceptionally bright child and a severe mental illness that affected one's cognition was extremely difficult. The Reid family had moved a year ago, a few months after Diana had seen the dead body of a neighborhood pedophille,Gary Michaels. As a lawyer, William knew it was foolish that he had not reported anything to the police,but Diana had been very stable and having to testify might be stressful enough that she'd experience psychosis. William also was very sure that the defense or police could try to implicate her, since she had slipped and got blood on her clothing. William was a criminal lawyer and understood the stress of a trial and felt he had done the right thing. After the move,Diana had a relapse and had spent some time in the hospital but was now in what she called "as normal as I think it's going to get mode." William and Diana loved Spencer's school though and were very happy to see him allowed to be in 5th grade. Diana had spent some time with Spencer's gifted and talented teacher since they exchanged a joke at that meeting a few months ago. It was nice to have one more friend to spend time with who viewed Catholicism the same way she did.
"I can mix the sauce,Mom" offered Spencer.
"Thanks honey,here you go."
"Why is it that story problems have names of ethnic minorities in them?"
"To make George Wallace and Jesse Helms mad."
" Really?"
" I was trying to make a joke. Learning about the world around you is so important Spencer. People who write your schoolwork want everyone included and you to learn about differences. Thank God for Betty Crocker's Suddenly Salad." Diana got out the strainer. She wished her brain helped her convey her emotions better. Flat affect sucked.
"Honey, I'm home."
"William, do I look like June Cleaver?"
"Strong, intelligent, feminist, the fabulous Dr. Diana Reid,I'm home."
"Much better."
"I'm going to do the unmasculine job of setting the table."
"Don't tell the Knights of Columbus."
"How did you become so happy and quick witted?"
"I went to the university library and went to Veronica's new appartment. Her cat is very sweet."
"That sounds wonderful. She's such a blessing in providing structure for you."
"If we ever get a cat, we should name it Macavity," said Spencer.
"T.S Elliot," remarked Diana.
"That's musical now,Cats. I'll be grilling if you need me," said William.
"Let me look over your homework Spencer,anything but the Math" stated Diana.
"Ok, Mom. I'm struggling with a word count on this assignment."
"Well, just like when you talk to me,it should be clear and concise. It's not that the teacher has trouble processing rambling information that goes off in tangents like me, but it's standard practice to write this way. If I feel too overwhelmed, your father may have to finish helping you."
Lord, give me the mental energy and concentration to help Spencer a little, I'm running on empty, she prayed. This is what a typical good day looked like for Diana. She never did function just as well as she did before showing signs of Schizophrenia. She wished more people understood how cognition was affected by severe mental illness.