" I fear the one who took me more than the one I once feared, because at least I know his face... I can never forget his distinct face, disapproving and distant! But every time I remember the rickety swing, it is as if I am looking at my own reflection and that makes me feel insane! How can I escape from myself?"
Abigail praises Annabelle for her participation and progress. As she begins to leave, a man opens the door not realizing there was a therapy session; he apologizes, but Abigail says, "Pierre, we just finished. What are you doing in town? Come in! Come in! What are you doing here?" She turns and looks at Annabelle and says, "This is my brother. I will see you on Monday at the same time." Annabelle quickly grabs her journal even though she is curious and closes the door slowly. She overhears Pierre asking Abigail if she has heard from Vladimir, Audrey, or Gretchen. Annabelle steps onto the elevator and pushes number two. She gets to the second floor and stops at the nurse's station and asks if she can have an orange or grapefruit with her lunch because she feels a bit under the weather. The nurses usually feel slightly irritated when patients come to the front desk instead of waiting for their nurse to come to their room, but none of them could be stern with Annabelle because they knew the state she was in just a few weeks ago, and are still astonished! Annabelle reflects on what Abigail told her in the session. She learned she should deliberately be aware of her surroundings and find things that are constant in her life. Her therapist told her to make a point to create a routine because change is inevitable, but if she keeps track of what is going on, she won't be blindsided and easily overwhelmed by change. Abigail also told Annabelle to do one new thing each day, because then she can create change as well; nothing is too big or too small, each decision counts. Annabelle passes a room but quickly steps back, because there was only the man with the beeping monitor in the room. She looks around and quietly, hesitantly enters...
TO BE CONTINUED...