The Wrong Sister

The next morning passed uneventfully. I was starting to get a little concerned about the possibility of Dr. Lacayo not returning to see me. But just before lunch, we met in the courtyard as I breathed in my daily dose of fresh, chilly, damp San Francisco air. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you,” I tried not to exclaim too excitedly. The doctor, dressed professionally as ever, had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. “So sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday. Is there someplace more private we could go?” “We could go to my room and hope my roommate isn’t in it, but if she is… I guess one person hanging around is better than a dozen.” She didn’t seem to agree. We walked quickly and were relieved to find my room empty. I updated her on Lisa’s last two visits. “I really, truly don’t believe she understands that what she did was wrong, that she could’ve killed me. She swears she’ll never hurt me again, but I don’t buy it.” “You’re smart not to trust her. Abusers almost always repeat the abuse, much like a rapist rarely assaults just once. So here’s the deal.” “Yeah?” I asked hopefully. “I wanted my son to get into the computer system to adjust your discharge date, but we agreed that would be too risky.” “So what else can we do? I’m not set to be here much longer.” “Well, I’ve been through the cafeteria area, and here’s my question. Do you think it’s possible to excuse yourself to use the bathroom while in the cafeteria?” “Sure. That’d be no problem.” “But what are the chances of anybody seeing you outside the cafeteria who knows you?” “Well, the staff come and go, and I suppose other patients could use the bathroom, but the few times I remember using it, no one was around. This whole place may be locked up, but most of the patients put themselves here voluntarily, so the staff don’t really watch us closely. This isn’t jail.” “Good,” said the psychiatrist. “Good.” “How is it good? I’m not here voluntarily. I can get out of the cafeteria, but not the building.” “You can if you have a visitor’s pass clipped to your shirt.” I glanced down at hers, where she had motioned. “But how do I get one?” “You don’t. One is going to be made for you.” I took a moment to absorb her words. “So I just excuse myself to the bathroom, then slip out the door?” “Hopefully. There’s still a chance someone may see you along the way and realize you’re not a visitor.” “And what do I say if I get caught?” “I guess you could say your kid cousin or nephew made it as a prank, and you were just curious to test it out, but had no intention of leaving.” “Wow. I really hope this works.” “Just stick to the story if you get caught. Never give any names either.” “Oh, no worries there. I’ve got you covered. I just wonder what Lisa would do if I got caught. Remember, this may be a hospital and not a jail, but I’m still here involuntarily. With Lisa being who she is, she’d hear about it in no time.” “Yeah, I know she would,” the doctor said dubiously. “But always stay calm. Stick to the story, never waver, and we’ll come up with Plan B.” “I hope we won’t have to,” I said, voice dripping with both hope and fear. “If I get caught, they’ll watch me like a hawk. One problem, though.” “What’s that?” “I can’t say a relative made the visitor’s card. Lisa knows I have no family here. I can’t even say it was one of the kids I vocal coach for. She’d check any story I gave her. We need a story that can’t be proven.” The doctor chewed her gum slowly, contemplating a new story. “Well, maybe you could say a patient’s kid—niece or nephew—came up with the idea, but you promised not to name anyone.” “That’s a good one.” “If this fails, we can always go back to the computer plan. He knows more about that than I do.” “Ok, but I can tell you that in the months I’ve been with Lisa, I’ve learned a lot about law enforcement. Even if I hadn’t, some things are just common sense. Please make sure you don’t leave any fingerprints on the visitor’s pass. Should I get stopped, only my prints should ever be on it.” “Absolutely. No worries.” “When will this happen?” “Hopefully, I’ll be back with the card tomorrow, and you can get out the next day. It will be attached to a clip for your shirt as a visitor pass. You just ask to use the bathroom once everyone’s settled and eating, then head for the exit.” “I don’t know my way around this place. The cafeteria is on the ground floor, but I’m only pretty sure of the general direction of the exit.” “It’s simple. I’ll go over it with you tomorrow. For now, I know you hate dealing with Lisa, but keep telling her what she wants to hear for just two more days. Got it? Just two more days.” “Where do I go if I make it out?” “Tomorrow, sweetie,” the doctor said, gathering her purse off the little table that rolled over the bed. “Hang in there for now and try to be patient.” “You should be telling me not to be so nervous,” I said with a nervous chuckle.