Talking to Dr. Conti had been a slap in the face, but it was Blake’s text that sealed the deal. Rose really was a very unwell woman, and I was stupid to think we had something special.
“I really can’t discuss a patient with you, Mr. Edison. What I will say is that a former patient has recently returned her attention to me and it is most unwelcome. I would appreciate it if you asked her to back off, or I’ll have no alternative but to report the incident. I had hoped that she’d turned a corner.” I had been honest with Dr. Conti. He was a medical professional and would not have discussed Rose outside of our conversation.
Rose had sent him a single red rose with a note that said, “For my tiger, love your Rose.” I felt like she’d betrayed me. Why had she renewed contact with this man when she had me? A man who actually wanted to play her games? I resolved to talk to her about it when a text came through on “Ryan’s” phone.
Blake Evans: Stay away from Rose. Just had panties with a rose on the ass delivered to my home. No note, but obviously her. Am making a report. *image attached*
My heart dropped. The panties were the ones I sent her. Rose would end up back in psychiatric care, and there’s no wayI wanted my fingerprints on this. A man with my very specific tastes and behaviors had to stay off the radar.
“She has a real stalker, Brett. Not just me. I’ll avoid her but I’ll sort this out first. Then I’ll walk away.” Brett gave a disgusted snort and left my office. Could Rose be stalking herself for attention? That seemed unlikely, given she already had my attention. Also, she’d been completely unaware that the yellow sticky note wasn’t from me. It hurt that she gave my gift to another man. Meeting her today was like a punch to the gut. I kept my face professional and cold. She sat there, looking as beautiful as she always did, lying to my face with an innocent expression that hid her artifice. Turns out that I’m not the great people-reader I thought I was when it came to a pretty face and a compelling sob story.
Oh, my Zahra, if only you weren’t so unwell. We could have had something amazing.
Chapter 24: The Rose—Delusions
Work was no longer fun. Sarah made jokes and Jason Barr spoke kindly to me, but I just wanted to do my job and leave. I was never going to be friends with people, no matter how many mantras I chanted. I should move to a desert island.
When I got home, I sat and readAnne of Green Gables, the last gift my grandmother ever sent me. It was a comfort read for me. It filled me with memories of the first time I read it. I loved Anne. She was brave and loyal, and Gilbert and Diana Barry loved her.
The knock at the door startled me. Was it Mr. Edison with news on Paul? I wasn’t ready to face him, but I really did want to push ahead with the DNA test. Maybe finally knowing my paternity would help me move past this feeling of hopelessness.
“Mom!” Why was my mother at my door? And who were these two people. A woman and man stood next to her. They were in paramedic outfits, but they were slightly different to the usual uniforms. Another man stood at the back. A police officer.
“Rose, you need to come with us to hospital. Dr. Warren would like to talk to you,” Mom said, a serious expression on her face.
“No. I’m seeing Dr. Warren next week,” I replied, confused at why after so long my mother was here. Cutting ties with her had felt so freeing. I didn’t want her back in my life now that, despite my heartbreak, I was doing so well.
“It’s okay, Rose. We are going to drive you,” the woman next to her said. “My name is Lisa and this is Emmanuel.” The man next to her smiled. I knew that smile. It was a “stay calm, you’re going to be just fine” smile. The nurses gave it to me all the time in hospital.
I should go with them. I know I should. This was not good. They were here to take me away,again. And I had done nothing wrong! Did Mr. Edison report me for stalking?
“No. I’m fine, and I’ll see Dr. Warren soon.” My voice was shaky, and my heart was pounding.
“Rose, you need to come with us. We’d really like you to follow us down to the car but if you don’t, Jackson will have to help you. We don’t want to do that because we want to help you. We don’t want you to be scared,” Emmanuel reasoned. The cop behind him, Jackson I assume, nodded encouragingly.
I was being arrested. Or involuntarily committed. Same same.
“Okay. Can I please pack some things? Will I be gone for a while?” What had I done? I had to explain myself. Mr. Edison had encouraged me. He wanted me. But I couldn’t say any of that. This was my story when I was arrested for stalking Blake, so it would look like I had just done the same thing to another “victim.”
Lisa nodded but stepped into my apartment. “I’ll help you, Rose.” That was code for “I’m sticking right next to you to make sure you don’t grab a weapon, like a chain or something.”
I packed some clothes, including the dress Kalb gave me. I shouldn’t want it near me, but it was special to me, and I needed him close. I also packedAnne of Green Gables. I rummaged through my drawer to find my special panties, but they were gone. I hadn’t worn them since the night Kalb came over, but I remember washing them and putting them away very clearly.
“Come on, Rose,” Lisa said gently. “It’s time to go.” Where were my panties?
“No, I need something. I can’t find it.” I was beginning to panic. Ineededthose panties. They were mine!
Emmanuel appeared beside me and gently took my arm. “Let’s go, Rose. Come on,” he encouraged. Reluctantly, I went with them, joining my mother at the door. She lookeddisappointed and angry now, her casual, nonchalant expression melting into one of fury and disgust. No way would I resist them. When I was arrested for attacking Dr. Conti, I resisted. It wasn’t pleasant and didn’t help me when it came to my evaluation. No, I wouldn’t do that. I’d go peacefully and show them that I was well.
___________________
I was back in hospital. The day after I was admitted, Dr. Warren took me into a little room. It was called The Serenity Room. There were peaceful touches everywhere. I used to love this room, but now it made me angry. The miniature water fountain and muted pastels everywhere screamed “Let’s calm down the psycho.” I found the stupid motivational artwork patronizing and the mindfulness props condescending. If I rake some sand with the mini rake, I’ll be cured. Yeah, right.
“Rose, are you feeling well? Are you angry with Dr. Conti or Blake?” Dr. Warren asked. They’d already asked me this yesterday. Was I angry, did I want to hurt myself or others, was I hearing secret messages. No, no, and no.
“I’m not angry and I feel well. I think this is all a misunderstanding. I had a relationship with Ace, but I think he misunderstood.” I wasn’t coming back here for something Ace had participated in.
“Ace? Is that the private investigator? Did you leave gifts for Ace, Rose?”
