An Act of Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

counselor?”
    “No.”
    “Has she ever been prescribed medication for problems such as mania, depression, anorexia, anxiety, that sort of nervous disorder?”
    “No.”
    “Has she ever attempted suicide before?”
    “No, absolutely.”
    “How about blackouts, fainting spells, memory loss?”
    “No. No, she’s just been completely normal.”
    Dr. Travis wrote in her folder, then looked up at them both, smiling. “I think that’s enough for today. I’ll talk more with Emily this afternoon, after she’s rested a bit.”
    “Can we do anything?” Linda asked.
    “Yes, actually. As I said, we’ll need for you to pick up some things for Emily from school. Hygienic necessities, perhaps a book, pajamas, a change of clothing.”
    Owen and Linda nodded.
    “When you return with her things, you’ll need to give them to a nurse when you come in, so they can be checked over.” Reading their expressions, she hastened to explain. “Often we can spot something that the parents might not realize is potentially dangerous.”
    “Potentially dangerous,” Linda echoed.
    “Emily is here on a voluntary basis. That means she has signed herself in. She will be seen by a multidisciplinary group of professionals, including the psychiatricdirector of the team, the counselors and nurses, our social worker, and myself. I am the program coordinator. After we speak with Emily, we’ll determine how we can be of help to her, and how long we’ll want her to remain with us. For the time being, she will be restricted to this ward. She will be kept safe here. If she stays here long enough, she will be gradually given privileges to leave the ward and go out for a walk on the grounds.”
    Puzzled, Linda asked, “When will she be allowed to return to school?”
    “Let’s take this one step at a time, shall we?” Dr. Travis suggested. “Your daughter has some problems that are interfering with her ability to stay alive. We’ve got to sort all that out first.”
    “Can we visit her?”
    “Of course. Visiting hours are printed in the brochure I gave you. We especially like the parents to be here on Wednesday nights for Family Group.”
    “Can we call her?”
    “Certainly. The three pay telephones are down the hall. They’re turned off during group session and after eleven at night. You will probably want to write down the numbers. You’ll need to fill out the insurance forms at the desk. We’ll need that done immediately.”
    Dr. Travis rose and ushered them to the door. As dumb as a pair of sheep, Owen and Linda let themselves be herded out of the office and to the nurses’ station, where sparrow-nurse handed them a long questionnaire.
    “There are desks at the other end of the hall for writing,” she said as she pointed them out.
    Owen sat watching as Linda filled out the forms. Emily’s father’s university covered her health insurance. Linda had the health insurance card in her wallet.
    Linda furrowed her brow. “I hope it covers this particular kind of illness in this particular kind of hospital ward.”
    “If not, then the school insurance will kick in,” Owen reminded her.
    Inscribing the necessary information in a wavery hand, Linda completed the form and returned it to the nurse, and then she and Owen stood befuddled, staring around. Dr. Travis had disappeared. The nurse was on the phone. Through the glass of the walled “living room” three people stared zombielike at a soap opera.
    “Let’s go over to the school and get Emily’s things and make some appointments,” Owen said.
    Linda nodded. Together they walked down the linoleum hallway and out through the ward’s wide doors.

Chapter Four
    When Dr. Travis opened the door, Emily came awake instantly.
    “How are you feeling?” the doctor asked.
    “Better,” Emily admitted. “I didn’t read the pamphlet,” she apologized. “I guess I just fell back asleep.”
    “That’s good. That’s what your body needed to do. You’ll have plenty of time to read