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“First let me say how sorry I am that you lost your mother. She was such a dear person. She wanted the best treatment for Caroline. I want to summarize a few things. As you know, Caroline has been here a year. She was brought here by her own choice. She was transported here from the hospital where they cared for her physical wounds following the fire. When the authorities charged her with a crime, the result of the judicial process was that the state required her to be here. Caroline was not convicted of arson or murder by reason of insanity. As her doctor, I concurred with the decision for Caroline to be confined here until she is well. Our job is to care for Caroline’s mental wounds.”
I could hear Annie begin to cry softly.
He continued, “Prior to the authorities making their decision about Caroline, your mother made arrangements for her to be treated for another year. Now Caroline’s cost of care is being covered by the State of North Carolina. You will be able to pick up a check for the balance owned the estate of Florence Nash from the clerk before you leave.”
At that, we were all reaching for our handkerchiefs. Dianne dabbed her eyes. She had something important on her mind. “Dr. Redmond, will Caroline’s care and treatment be the same as if we are paying for it? I don’t want her to get less attention because the government cannot afford it.”
“Dianne, I don’t know much about budget or book-keeping, but I can assure you we treat each patient based on what they need. Not what it will cost.”
Belle spoke as if she was hurt. “You can count on that! Caroline is not a case number; she is a person we care about! I know we can help her. I have already seen some healing of her heart. I know there will also be more healing of her mind.”
Dianne quickly responded saying she was sorry, but she just wanted to be sure.
“I know you did. It is okay.” Belle said with that warm smile back in place.
It seemed Doc needed to change the subject. “Yes. No need for anyone to apologize. Now, Mrs. Quinn, can you explain Caroline’s condition and treatment?”
“Certainly, Doctor,” the nurse said. “Caroline is psychosomatic, meaning she has a disorder of the mind. She has erratic emotions, suffers bouts of depression, claims she hears voices telling her to hurt people, and is paranoid.
“In the first few months she was here, she did not socialize with others and did not feel safe anywhere but in her room. The doctors prescribed medication to balance her moods and quiet the voices. The therapies we used were slow integration with others here and assigning her chores that were rhythmic in nature such as folding towels and washing dishes. The doctors adjusted medications, and we monitored her food intake. We began an exercise regimen twice a week. When it became apparent that Caroline was very good with her hands, we let her work in the garden.
“Belle, can you talk about Annie’s temperament?”
Belle stood as she talked, “Of course, Nurse Quinn. Do you ladies have any questions so far? I know it is a lot to take in.”
All three of us shook our heads. I wanted to learn Belle’s perspective. Everything from Mrs. Quinn was too clinical for me. I said, “Not at this time. Please, Belle, tell us what you think of Caroline.”
Belle said, “Caroline is a strong person about to become a young woman. She has suffered a lot that we still don’t know about. She is working very hard to get better. Last night when I told her goodnight, she asked if I thought she could behave when you all came. I went to her bed, gave her a big hug, and said, ‘Yes. But I know your sisters will want you just as you are.’ I say that just so you know how much she wants to heal.
“Caroline is particular about how she does things. If she is pulling weeds, she will make sure each plant has room to breathe. She will work hours on that. And she checks on them every day. Caroline said she can’t hear voices when she is working hard.
“Caroline likes children. I saw in her chart that she was a babysitter before coming here, so I took her to visit the child nursery we have here. She was the happiest I’ve ever seen her with the preschool children. They feel easy with her. Lots of hugs and laughter happened in that short visit. With permission from Nurse Quinn and Dr. Redmond, we are going to assign her to the nursery as her full time job. I know she will be happy when I tell her. Actually, why don’t you all tell her and find out why she likes it so much.”
Annie interrupted, “I know why she likes it. She is careful and sweet with children. She once said to me that ‘Children don’t care whether I am odd. They don’t even notice.’ I thank you so much for finding out what works for Caroline.”
Dianne wanted to leave. “Can we see her now? I really need to see my sister.”
Doc stood and said, “Certainly. We can talk more later if you like. We just want you to feel assured that Caroline is in good hands.”
Again came the tears. All three sisters and Belle.
Belle escorted us to the arts and crafts room to see Caroline. There she was in a large room at a table folding napkins. We just watched her from the other side of the room for a few moments. Caroline was thin, way too thin. Her color was not good. There was a yellowish tint to her skin. Her hair was clean and styled, but the color was dull. Caroline always had the prettiest hair in the family. A chestnut color with a beautiful shine to it. She was the only sister that really brushed her hair 100 strokes like Momma told us all to do. Caroline looked older than 16. Her life had already been too hard.
Annie walked over to Caroline and called her name softly, “Hi, Caroline, it’s me, Annie.”
“I know who you are. They told me you were coming. Where is the rest of my so called family?”
Dianne approached singing a song we’ve sung a thousand times together since she was a little girl. Caroline used to call it the silly word song.
As soon as we realized what Dianne was doing, we began singing with her. We knew this by heart.
Skid-dy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp,
Skid-dy-mer-ink-a-doo means I love you.
Skid-dy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp,
Skid-dy-mer-rink-a-doo means I’ll be true.
