Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) (16 page)

“Believe me, I know,” Mark offered.  “I do wish you would have contacted Dr.  Peterson about your concerns years ago.”

“I didn’t know him and the help I tried to give was resisted.  I wish now that I had forced my father to do something,” she declared.

Mark recalled Jon’s words.  Jon had believed Sami was stable, even back to work and dating.  “I think your analogy about her being a chameleon was spot-on,” he reported.

“Why do you say that?”

“In reading her file, Jon believed she was ready to leave treatment.  I am sure she would have presented herself as stable to anyone who replied to your cry for help.  The one thing I have learned this past week about her is her ability to please others,” he provided.

“Is she Bipolar or has split personalities?” Linda asked.

Mark thought about the terms.  “I don’t like to label,” he stated.  “I feel she is just hiding somewhere, cushioning herself from emotional suffering.  It is almost as if she had closed the lid to the chest on herself like she has done on all the painful memories in her life.”

“How do we get it to open?” Linda asked.

“That is our task,” Mark affirmed, shaking his head.  “I am working on it.”

***

FIFTEEN

“C
an she hear us?  Does she understand what we are saying?” Linda asked.

“I am sure of it.  To what extent she comprehends it, I don’t know.  Some say it is like a dream, others say they want to answer, but cannot,” Mark informed her.

“So, you have patients like her?” Linda asked. 

“Similar, but no two cases are alike.  So, don’t ask me how long.  I cannot tell you.  What gives me the assurance that she will come around is her history of treatment with Dr.  Peterson.  In fact, I believe it was his hypnotic suggestion that gave her mind the pathway to enter this altered state of consciousness,” he replied.

“She was like this before,” Linda reminded him, recalling her discovery of Sami on her bed prior to treatment, “before the hypnotic suggestion.”

“When you found her in the fetal position, correct?” Mark asked.

“Yes,” Linda responded. 

“Was she aware?”

“Yes.  She responded to me in one-word answers,” she replied.

“That is interesting. They usually exist concurrently — fetal position and unconsciousness,” he informed her.

“She is not in a fetal position now,” she observed, glancing at Sami.

“I know.  In fact, it gives me hope,” he shared.

“How so?”

“It shows me that she doesn’t fear physical harm. The fetal position is a defensive position to protect the head, neck and vital organs,” he educated her.

“You mentioned altered state of consciousness, what do you mean?” Linda asked.

“It refers to one’s level of consciousness with self and the environment.  She is deeper this time than when she was under Jon’s hypnotic suggestion. She is not responding to
any
outside stimuli.”

“How did you reach her the first time?” Linda questioned.

“I didn’t.  Molly did.”

“Her dog?”

“Yes. Molly’s touch triggered her to awaken,” Mark acknowledged.

“And, the mention of AJ triggered this one?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Would AJ’s touch bring her out?”

“Good question. It might,” he answered. “However, I bet we need to set the stage before we try it.”

“Set the stage?”

Mark sighed. “Sami is suffering right now. I believe it is Acute Stress Disorder, going all the way back to the trauma of losing her twin and denied the right to grieve for her. Her mother’s misguided good intentions of sparing her the emotional pain sent her spiraling.  It is there that we need to begin. If we start with her guilt for AJ, it doesn’t address or correct her base problem. We need to stage a timeline and move sequentially up her life to repair the damages.”

“How do you do that if she is unaware?” she asked.

“As I shared before, we use all her senses,” he stated. “I really shouldn’t have been using the word unaware to describe her state.  She is unresponsive, but very much aware, just not on a conscious level.”

“I am lost,” Linda admitted.

“I am sorry for that,” he offered. “I guess I am using you as my sounding board. My thoughts are jumbled.”

“Don’t apologize. I find this all extremely fascinating. I am glad you feel comfortable in sharing with me. Now that I understand your intent for me, I will switch to the role of devil’s advocate,” she laughed. “A non-professional one, that is.”

Mark chuckled. “Maybe, I should stop talking,” he suggested.

“Too late to back out now,” she said. “Keep going.  Tell me about this timeline and senses.”

Mark looked into the rearview mirror and saw Linda’s smiling face.  She was obviously enjoying her new role.  “You are sure?” he asked.  “My professional reputation is on the line here.”

“How?”

“You might discover just how scattered my mind really is and report me,” he smiled.

“Don’t worry on that account, Mark. You have accepted me as a member of her support group. I feel you only have what is best for Sami in mind. Now, if your thoughts turn to more fiction than science, then maybe I will report you,” she informed him, smiling.

“I might as well quit now,” he confessed. “Dealing with the mind takes creative thinking which sometimes calls for fiction or off-the-wall techniques.”

“You do have the advantage, Dr.  Stevens. As a novice, I lack the knowledge to know the difference,” she laughed.

Mark shared her laughter, suddenly very thankful for the petite woman’s presence. “Thanks, Linda, for tossing your hat into the ring. I have a feeling your role in this will become vital to her recovery,” he shared.

“I think you have that wrong, Dr. Stevens. I believe I played my role earlier in her life. I am one of the reasons she is in this state,” she offered sadly.

“Lose the guilt, Linda.  You won’t be any good to me if you keep it,” Mark directed.

“I will try.”

“Don’t try, do it,” Mark ordered.  “Are you here out of guilt or do you genuinely care for her?”

“She is my best friend,” she informed him stoically.

Hearing the present tense, Mark relaxed.  “Then, you are here for the right reason. Hold on to that thought,” he directed.

“Okay,” she replied, holding her head higher. “Tell me about this timeline idea.”

Mark glanced at the unconscious woman in the passenger seat.  “We need all five cedar chests.  They all need to be opened and explored.  We will start with her journals.  Open that box and find the oldest one,” he directed.

Linda eyed the box and sighed deeply.  “Memory lane,” she said, pulling the box to her. “Hold on tight, Mark.  I think we are in for one hell of a ride.”

SIXTEEN

M
ark heard Linda as she organized the journals in the box.  “I always thought she was wordy, but this is ridiculous,” she stated, stacking the books around her on the bench.  “There are a total of sixteen journals.”

“The oldest?” Mark asked.

“Hold on,” she replied.  “I want to put them in order.”  He heard her opening and closing book after book.  “Found it,” she cried.

“What is the date?”

“September 21, 1977,” she answered.  “She would have been twelve at the time.  No, her birthday is in December.  Mine is in September.”

“Read it,” he directed.

“Feels funny,” she stated.

Mark shook his head.  “You want to drive?” he asked.

“No.  Just give me a moment,” she requested, perusing the first couple of lines in the journal.  “Ooh…“

“Detach yourself,” Mark stated.  “It will help you through it.  See them as a novel, if you can.”

“A novel where I know all the players,” she remarked.

“You don’t have to do it,” he offered.

“I know, but I want to help,” she confirmed.

“Think of it this way.  Sami hears you.  Your voice is familiar to her.  Having your voice added to her words will help her,” he concluded.

“How?”

“It will provide her with an anchor to hold onto,” he offered, hoping he was correct.  “When you first appeared on the scene, I had hoped you would be the trigger to which she would respond.  We both know that proved to be wrong.  However, it could be a combination of things — her memories, your voice.  If I add my voice to her words, there is no deep connection.  I believe this is your role.  I do not believe in coincidence.  Your involvement is fate; give her words a ‘voice’, Linda.”

“I hope I can do this justice.  You are placing a great deal of faith in me,” she stated.

“Yes, I know,” he responded, wishing to give her comfort.  Sensing her doubt, he continued, “See them for what they are; they are words.  Granted, they are her thoughts, but they are the past.  A history, like I said before.”

Long moments passed as Linda tried to understand her reluctance to read the journals. 

Mark spotted a road sign that indicated a rest area ahead and offered, “I am pulling over.  I see that this assignment is making you suffer.  I don’t want to cause you undue pain.  We are switching places.”