was moved out of my room and further down the hall so we wouldn’t have any further instances.
While I was at the doctor’s he took advantage of our time and asked if I felt anything was helping me to feel more peaceful. I told him I liked the lake. I also mentioned I had made friends with Rose Mary and he praised my efforts and encouraged me to continue to meet new people. I didn’t broach the subject of my belongings because I didn’t want to agitate or make my crime against Cat any worse. I would have to be patient and wait a few more days.
On my way back to the ward I saw a woman bashing her head repeatedly against the brick building. I ran to her and tried pulling her back, noting her dead eyes. Blood dripped from her forehead and nose. The woman struggled against me and became irate. She screamed and spat at me, cursing and gesturing wildly with her arms. I let her go and several aides rushed to assist her as she staggered backwards. She really was crazy. God knows I wasn’t that dire. The image of the woman with her bloody face and vacant eyes stayed with me all through the night and I recounted the situation to Rose Mary that evening after supper.
“I am sorry you had to see that. That was probably Sally. Her husband and two children died in a fire and she has never been able to get over it. She punishes herself for it every day.”
“Why would she do that?” I wondered out loud.
“Because she set the fire. She’s a pyromaniac.”
“Jesus,” I said because there were no other words. I suddenly wondered about my safety at this place. I had to get a message to my parents that I wasn’t safe here and so I begged another patient to borrow some stationery and began to write my letters home.
Dear Mother and Father,
I am terribly sorry for all the stress and hardship I caused you. I promise to obey you in all matters and to do my best to become a proper lady. I will make an effort to make friends and will not complain about any social engagements. I wish to come home. Please let me come home.
Your loving daughter,
Iona Elizabeth
I sent my first letter the second week of my stay at Willard Hospital for the Insane. I didn’t get a response so I drafted a second.
Dearest Mother and Father,
Please forgive me for my past digressions against you. I have learned better how to handle myself now and feel that I am ready to come home. I would like the opportunity to prove to you that I am better.
I also admit that Willard is frightening to me. I don’t always feel safe here among the patients, many who are prone to violence or throwing fits. It is not a suitable environment for a girl my age.
I miss you all.
Iona
I sealed the envelope and put the stamp I borrowed from Ruth on the upper right hand corner. I was heading down the hall with my letter when Cat stopped dead in her tracks in front of me.
“Why do you bother with that? You know they don’t mail the letters don’t you?” I was startled, what could she mean they didn’t mail the letters? It was my second week so mail was permitted.
“You’re lying,” I said and tried to move past her.
“Am I?” she asked, eyebrows raised and jaw set.
“Yes. There is no harm in sending a letter. You are a liar, that’s what you do, you lie. Now move,” I said, hands tightening their grip on my envelope.
“Have you heard from home yet? I didn’t think so. That’s because they haven’t received your letters, either that or they want to forget all about you once and for all. The freak of a daughter they so unfortunately had that put a blight on the family name.” I reached out and grabbed Cat by the neck. I shoved her head into the yellow painted cinder blocks that lined our hallway and didn’t relent.
Emily ran down the hall at top speed, yelling for me to stop. Rose Mary came out of her room and just stood watching. Ruth opened her door to see what was happening, but closed it at once. No one else really cared. I was
While I was at the doctor’s he took advantage of our time and asked if I felt anything was helping me to feel more peaceful. I told him I liked the lake. I also mentioned I had made friends with Rose Mary and he praised my efforts and encouraged me to continue to meet new people. I didn’t broach the subject of my belongings because I didn’t want to agitate or make my crime against Cat any worse. I would have to be patient and wait a few more days.
On my way back to the ward I saw a woman bashing her head repeatedly against the brick building. I ran to her and tried pulling her back, noting her dead eyes. Blood dripped from her forehead and nose. The woman struggled against me and became irate. She screamed and spat at me, cursing and gesturing wildly with her arms. I let her go and several aides rushed to assist her as she staggered backwards. She really was crazy. God knows I wasn’t that dire. The image of the woman with her bloody face and vacant eyes stayed with me all through the night and I recounted the situation to Rose Mary that evening after supper.
“I am sorry you had to see that. That was probably Sally. Her husband and two children died in a fire and she has never been able to get over it. She punishes herself for it every day.”
“Why would she do that?” I wondered out loud.
“Because she set the fire. She’s a pyromaniac.”
“Jesus,” I said because there were no other words. I suddenly wondered about my safety at this place. I had to get a message to my parents that I wasn’t safe here and so I begged another patient to borrow some stationery and began to write my letters home.
Dear Mother and Father,
I am terribly sorry for all the stress and hardship I caused you. I promise to obey you in all matters and to do my best to become a proper lady. I will make an effort to make friends and will not complain about any social engagements. I wish to come home. Please let me come home.
Your loving daughter,
Iona Elizabeth
I sent my first letter the second week of my stay at Willard Hospital for the Insane. I didn’t get a response so I drafted a second.
Dearest Mother and Father,
Please forgive me for my past digressions against you. I have learned better how to handle myself now and feel that I am ready to come home. I would like the opportunity to prove to you that I am better.
I also admit that Willard is frightening to me. I don’t always feel safe here among the patients, many who are prone to violence or throwing fits. It is not a suitable environment for a girl my age.
I miss you all.
Iona
I sealed the envelope and put the stamp I borrowed from Ruth on the upper right hand corner. I was heading down the hall with my letter when Cat stopped dead in her tracks in front of me.
“Why do you bother with that? You know they don’t mail the letters don’t you?” I was startled, what could she mean they didn’t mail the letters? It was my second week so mail was permitted.
“You’re lying,” I said and tried to move past her.
“Am I?” she asked, eyebrows raised and jaw set.
“Yes. There is no harm in sending a letter. You are a liar, that’s what you do, you lie. Now move,” I said, hands tightening their grip on my envelope.
“Have you heard from home yet? I didn’t think so. That’s because they haven’t received your letters, either that or they want to forget all about you once and for all. The freak of a daughter they so unfortunately had that put a blight on the family name.” I reached out and grabbed Cat by the neck. I shoved her head into the yellow painted cinder blocks that lined our hallway and didn’t relent.
Emily ran down the hall at top speed, yelling for me to stop. Rose Mary came out of her room and just stood watching. Ruth opened her door to see what was happening, but closed it at once. No one else really cared. I was