November
It seemed as if things only kept getting worse for Rose. Within a day after what was her worst birthday ever, she found out about the fire which occurred at the nursery school and how her mummy would no longer have a job because of this. No other nursery schools were hiring so late in the autumn, so the only places where she could look for work were in the shops, where the pay would be a lot lower than what she got as an aide. She had tried to send in a short story she had written several months before to a literary journal, but it was rejected, meaning she would have no choice but to get one of those bad jobs.
At school, there had been three days of no classes after the blackout, during which Rose spend most of her time with Mickey and the Marshes. When this was done, any signs of happiness among teachers and students were all gone. Ms. Bryan rarely smile anymore, giving the students nervous looks if she ever attempted to sound cheerful. She also rarely left the classroom, going so far as to send some of the students to run any errands in the office instead of doing it herself.
The kids themselves still seemed very scared about it, and what happened to Rose was still clear in their minds. However, instead of being nicer to her or going on with their teasing, they avoided her as often as possible. If she walked by one of them at recess, they would turn in the other direction and slowly walk away. When she asked someone something, they'd just say "yeah" or "no". Mickey acted as if this was a good thing because they were no longer trying to hurt her, but somehow, this still bothered Rose. She understood that sometimes, being ignored was worse than having everyone calling you names or beating you up. At least when they did that, you were aware of what they thought of you.
Two weeks after her birthday, Rose was able to speak with John Smith again. Just as the last time, she was alone in her room, only now she had been in there for about three hours. She was eating a bowl of corn flakes along with chocolate milk. Her mummy had been in her room all afternoon and had not come out to make tea, so Rose had to get her own food. She wasn't afraid because she assumed she was just asleep.
Did you miss me, Rose? was the first thing she heard him say.
Rose had been so shocked that she dropped her plastic cup of chocolate milk, and it fell on the spotless carpet, getting all over a drawing she'd done of a dog an hour before.
Of course I did, John Smith. Or should I call you "Doctor" instead?
For all I care, you could call me "Professor" if you wanted to. That's how Ace used to call me.
Well, you don't look like a professor to me, or even like a doctor. I think I'll just keep calling you John Smith.
I think I like that better too. The name "Doctor" has raised too many questions in the past.
At that moment, Rose could see him looking around at her room, and he did not seem pleased.
For how long have you been stuck in here? He demanded.
Well, I got out of here a while ago to get some cereal and milk. Mummy's in her room, and I think she's asleep, Rose tried to explain.
This answer did not seem to satisfy John Smith. Cereal and milk don't make a proper supper, Rose. If your mother has stayed this long in her room, then there's probably something wrong, he said in a very cautionary voice.
So what do you think I should do?
Walk up to her room and open the door! What could be more simple than that?
Rose sighed and started walking out of her room. In the past, her mummy would sometimes lock the door of her room and leave her alone for hours. At times, John Smith would appear to her and try to keep her calm until her mummy would come out, but he would never tell her to go to her room.
How come you've never made me do this before, John Smith?
Because back then, your mother would get dangerously drunk and I didn't want her to try hurting you. But it seems like she's no longer drinking anymore, so I can now let you do these kinds of things.
Upon walking through the hallways, Rose stood still for a while. Are you sure I can do this?
Don't be afraid, Rose. If there was some kind of danger, I'd be able to sense it, even though I don't have ESP.
Really?
Yeah, and for that you can thank Nina the French gypsy. But more on that later. Go ahead now.
Rose put her hand around the doorknob, and to her relief, it was not locked. She opened it, and stepped in.
The typewriter was on the large brown desk, with a piece of paper with only one line written still set up around it. Just as Rose thought, Jackie was sprawled around the bed in her clothes, fast asleep.
Should I try waking her up, John Smith?
What time is it?
I think it's around seven.
Then just let her be. If you wake her up, it won't do her any good.
But just as soon as he said that, her mummy started moving around. At first, it seemed as if she was just tossing and turning in her sleep. Within a few seconds, however, her eyes flickered open. She rubbed her eyes, and upon catching a glimpse of her daughter, she mumbled, "Rose, who are you talking to?"
"Well, I…
Rose, don't say anything about me.
Then what should I…
"It's John Smith again, isn't it?"
"No, it's just…"
Walk out of there if you can.
"Rose, if this John Smith nonsense keeps going on, then we'll have to get help for you." Jackie was now seated on the bed, looking very alert and extremely upset.
Rose looked through the door and started slowly walking away.
"Don't do this, sweetheart!" Jackie yelled. " Do you have any idea how much it's worrying me?"
John Smith, help me!
Just do as I say!
"So it is John Smith! I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I think I'm going to have to make a call today."
Right as she said this, Rose closed the bedroom door.
"Rose!" Jackie said desperately. "Get back here right now! I can't stand to see what's happening to you, and to see you doing this…"
John Smith. I'm afraid! What should I do? Rose was now leaning towards the door in fear. She couldn't stand to see her mummy like this, and the fact that John Smith didn't seem to care bothered her even more.
If your mother takes you to some kind of special doctor, and they try giving you anything, it won't harm you in any way because I'll be able to act as… as some kind of wall or fence that keeps bad things away from your mind, so you don't have to worry about strange side effects from any of those so-called psychiatric treatments.
So are you just going to let her take me to a doctor? Now Rose was very scared.
I can't control anything your mother does, but I can control your mind to keep any doctor from trying to do something that could hurt a lot.
Are you sure?
Yes. So don't be scared, Rose. I'll still be here with you.
After that, Rose couldn't hear anything except her mummy's sobs.
