Could be trigger inducing
Chapter 7 We've Got To Get Out of This Place.
Diana awoke to find Veronica's hand on her shoulder.
"Diana, the town is closing to incoming traffic and they want the students to leave."
"What, who is they? We have to see Mary Ann! I want Will!"
"The National Guard just came down our street. I think we should leave town as soon as possible."
"What about commencement, our classes, my dying friend. Oh God, Oh God..Will, you came!"She saw her boyfriend standing in the doorway.
"I can take you home, and will stay with my aunt and uncle in Akron until this all dies down."
"Can I stay there too, they are the black sheep of your family, the flaming liberals.I can't tell Dad I knew a protester or agreed with them. It will be terrible. He hates protesters."
"Perhaps."
"Ok, everyone let's think what can't we do without for a while and Diana I don't think you should go to the hospital. It's probably a zoo, plus you need to relax."
"Must take my Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel,Pete Seeger, Canterbury Tales, Margery Kempe and my Bible…"
"God, my trunk's not going to fit all that" William hated whenever Diana's anxiety flared up.
"Basics, Diana. I know this can't be easy for someone with high anxiety, but can you break things down to the basics?"
"This is a freaking episode of the Twilight Zone. Pretty soon I'm going to hear Rod Sterling's voice narrating what that massacre has to teach us about humanity. Damm the establishment, government and everything that is wrong with society." Tears began streaming down Diana's face.
"Let me help you pick out some outfits."
"I'm packing all black" Diana declared.
Veronica gave William a look that said, don't say anything.
In a few minutes, they were packed. The trunk held Diana's bible, one Bob Dylan Album ,one Pete Seeger album, Margery Kempe's book and the portable record player. Not much was said on that drive to Akron. Any chance they had of trying to use humor or revert to small talk to diffuse the tension of the day's events resulted in Diana snapping. Veronica lived in Akron as well and suggested Diana stay with her family. They were against the war and Diana knew that she would find comfort and not condemnation for her views, maybe Mrs. Murphy would let her have her copy of the Feminine Mystique and discuss how they disagreed with Humanae Vitae. There had to be a silver lining in this tragedy.
When they pulled in the driveway, Veronica sighed. Her younger brother was blaring Surfin' Bird, it was going to be a long night, both young ladies hated that song.
Veronica ran into her Mother's arms and Diana was a bit jealous, that her mother was with a breakaway sect.
"Of course, Diana can stay with us, right Eddie?"
"Right,Maude. If I were you though Diana, I'd give your parents a call."
"If my Mother knew I was friends with a protester and shared her views, she'd think I was a terrible communist ready to take over the world. I hope that cult she's in is to busy preparing for the end of the world to notice what happened. I'll call Dad, but will get get a lecture about how protesting is unladylike. I just want to process all this."
"You should call your sister, maybe she'll stage a kneel in and invite the Berrigan brothers" suggested Veronica.
"Oh I don't think she'd go that far, but yes,I must call her. She's the only one who understand me in my family."
Diana called her Sister who was thankful Diana was alright. She told her the whole order would be told of what had happened and would pray for her. She called her Dad and told her what had happened, without many of the details.
"Diana, I am your father and there is nothing wrong with staying with me for a while. If you chose to stay with your hot head friends that's your choice, but if you ever come to your senses, it will make your father proud."
Those words weren't the most encouraging she had ever heard, thank God for her sister and friends, she thought.
"Hi sis, I heard it's crazy at Kent now. Who is the friend?" Veronica's younger brother emerged from his room.
"Joe, this is my roommate of many years, Diana."
"Hi, you ok? You don't look so good."
" My friend could be dead, because of the massacre and my Father hates the fact that I don't share his political views. He doesn't really respect my feelings right now."
"Well, my Dad is a progressive who works with feelings for a living,so you are in good hands here."
She had forgot that Veronica's dad was a psychiatrist. Could she maybe open up to him, she thought?
"Oh Diana, I didn't know your friend was hurt. I'm so sorry. Are you hungry? Dinner should be ready soon" said Veronica's Mother, Maude.
"Thank you. You all are so kind."
Diana went to unpack in the guest room and washed up, then knelt in prayer,praying the famous prayer for peace, of St then ended the prayer with the Dylan lyrics, If God's on our side, he'll stop the next war. Dinner was had in almost complete silence, as Diana couldn't speak much, due to grief. When they watched the evening news, there was not a dry eye in the room. When the names of the dead were read Diana heard the name of her friend and let out a scream and ran to the bathroom clutching her stomach,Veronica was right behind her and stood by the door hearing her friend scream after emptying the contents of her stomach. It sounded as if she was reliving the day's tragedy. Eddie heard and came rushing to the door.
"Dad it's like she's there again. I read about this in a class, but I need your help."
He opened the door thankful it wasn't locked and tried to bring Diana back.
"Diana, it's Veronica's Dad here. You are having a flashback. You are not at Kent State.I want you to be aware of your surroundings. You need to breath. Take a deep breath in, see your stomach rising, and out,and see your stomach you feel that?"
Diana nodded and placed her hand on her stomach as she slowly inhaled and exhaled."A flashback, I'm having a flashback, not there, but so real, not there?Mr. Murphy?" It was difficult to ground herself in the present, but she slowly came to the present and convinced herself of her present location when the flashback was so real.
"Yes. What can you, touch, hear, taste, see, smell. I want you to know where you are be in the here and now. What happened at Kent State was earlier, in the past."
"In the past not now. Use my senses..wet , something wet,I'm crying. Music, dreadful music,Taste, eww my mouth, what a pretty towel,I'm in a bathroom. smell,oh dessert I can't eat.. Why the hell am I sitting here just realizing where the heck I am? Have I gone crazy Grandma has schizophrenia,I'm not crazy.. No, no."
"May I help you up Diana?" Asked Mr. Murphy.
"Please,I'm weak. I want to lie down."
"I'll help you Diana."
"I'm at your house."
"That's right Diana."
"I'm sorry, so sorry and tired. I'm not crazy."
"No, this happens when people experience trauma sometimes. It is not schizophrenia. I'm doing research on it 's called traumatic , tell your brother to turn off that Ina Gadda whatever that's called" said Mr Murphy, knowing that the music was anything but soothing.
" With pleasure, I hate that song. Diana would you like me to come to you after that?"
"Please, you always know how to help when I need it."
After Diana had got ready for bed, Veronica's mother knocked on the door.
" May I come in?"
"Don't pity your daughter's friend."
"I'm not, Diana. Would you like some hot chocolate?"
"Thank you."
"Remember you have nothing to be ashamed of. I know Veronica really admires your passion for the thirst of knowledge and your faith and activism. She is just as passionate about helping others, that's why she wants to follow in her father's footsteps, because she cares about others. I wish your own Mother could be here for you,but see that figurine of Mary. She's praying for you I'm sure of it and she is your Mother too."
Veronica walked in the door and sat at the edge of Diana's bed.
"Let's sing our song Diana,ok?"
"Yes, please."
They began to sing the lyrics written about John Lennon's mother with another Mary in mind.
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.