CHAPTER SEVEN

ROSE

When the day dawned, Emily was fully awake. Her nightmare the previous night unsettled her. She felt her bed to make sure it was still dry; it was. She wished that she was at home in Brattleboro in her massive four post bed under her quilt. How she longed to be there instead of here at Broadacres Children's Psychiatric Institute. Breakfast consisted of French toast. To Emily, it tasted just like home. She quickly ate her breakfast and went to the day room. Once inside, she sat down in a wooden chair. A nurse came into the room announcing that it was group time. Emily didn't want to go to group, she'd rather sit in her chair. The nurse walked over to her and told her to get up. Emily did as she was told and walked into the group room. Millicent was in there, as were the other patients.

"This morning's topic is regret and how we live with it." The therapist said. The therapist went around the room asking the patients about their biggest regrets. She finally got to Millicent.

"Millicent, what is perhaps your biggest regret?" The therapist asked. She was expecting the typical answer such as "Oh, I ate too many sweets." No, Millicent's answer shocked everyone in the room.

"Perhaps my biggest regret is pushing a person named Rose Bukater down the stairs at school. I got into heaps of trouble. I'm sorry Emily for what I did. I didn't mean to hurt Rose. I know you're sisters, and what I said to you was very mean of me. I didn't want to hurt either of you. Now I know what being hurt feels like. I ached over it for days, and when they arrested me; I didn't know what to do."

Emily looked at Millicent in the eye and spoke.

"I accept your apology Millicent. I'm sure Rose would as well."

Group time was over and the patients got up out of their seats. As they filed out of the room, Emily looked for any visitors. She was in luck. Victoria and Ruth were there. She desperately looked for Rose. Her heart sank when she saw Rose wasn't with them. Emily sat at the table with a sullen look on her face.

"Hello mama. Hello Mrs. Bukater." Emily said.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Victoria replied.

"Rose isn't here. I also had a nightmare last night." Emily sullenly said.

"What was in this nightmare Emily?" Victoria asked, curious as to what her daughter would tell her.

"I walked into our house and no one knew who I was. You didn't even know who I was. You said something about a girl named Rachel who was your daughter, and that she ran away. You ended up cornering me and stripping me down to my under things, and then stabbed me with a letter opener. It was horrible." Emily said quietly.

"You know I would never do that to you. I would never let anything like that happen to you at all Emily." Victoria soothed. Ruth decided to break into the conversation.

"Emily, we brought someone special with us. She's over there." She pointed with her eyes.

It was Rose. Rose was here after all.

"Rose!" Emily said in delight. She got up and walked over to Rose, hugging her.

"I've missed you so much Rose, you have no idea." Emily continued.

"Emily, I know you've missed me. I miss you too." Rose countered.

Emily felt better now that Rose was here. Rose sat at the table next to Ruth and Victoria. Emily took her place again.

"Emily, you get out tomorrow. Until then, there is something I need to tell you. It is very important." Victoria said.

"What is it mama?" Emily asked curiously.

"Emily, you're going to have either a brother or sister. I'm pregnant." Victoria said quietly. This excited Emily.

"Oh mama, that's wonderful. I've always wanted a brother, I've got two sisters." Emily said happily. A nurse walked by to make sure everything was all right. The nurse walked off and Rose spoke up.

"Emily, grandmother is very sorry for what she said. She didn't mean for it to get out of hand like it did. You know how she can be. She's English. They always have to be right about everything, even when they're wrong. Can you forgive her?" said Rose.

"Of course I forgive her. Do you know who else is in this hospital?" Emily asked.

"No." Said Rose.

"Millicent King. She's here. She has had no visitors. She apologized for what she had done in group this morning. I accepted the apology."

"She's here? Why in god's name is she here? What did she do to get put in here?" Rose asked.

"I don't know why she's here, but she regrets what she's done. She didn't mean to hurt you or me. I think she's bipolar, like me." Emily said.

"You're bipolar? How? I guess the mood swings answer that question. Does it hurt?" Rose asked.

"No, being bipolar doesn't hurt. I just think differently, that's all. Being bipolar doesn't hurt one bit. I still don't know how they're going to react at school." Emily uttered.

"No one except Miss Allen needs to know, after all isn't she the one you see for your medication?" Rose asked.

"Yes, she's the only one that knows. None of the other girls know, or need to know." Emily said.

"Are you happy that you're getting out tomorrow?" Rose asked again.

"Yes. I'm more than happy. I'm excited." Emily said. Rose looked down at the table and saw a piece of paper with a drawing on it.

"Is this me?" Rose asked.

"Yes. It's you. I drew it yesterday, hoping I would see you again." Emily purred.

"Emily, I just want to tell you to never give up. Even when life doesn't go your way. Never give up. Giving up is here in the hospital. You've got to fight it every step of the way. I don't take giving up. If you give up, then you're lost." Rose urgently said.

Visiting hours were once again over for the day. Emily finally got to see Rose. The three of them got up from their chairs. Ruth and Victoria kissed Emily on the forehead, and Rose gave Emily a hug. They left, leaving Emily alone. Dinner that night consisted of roast beef with mashed potatoes. Emily ate it with much gusto. Emily was going home soon.