Nora added a few stitches to the sock she knitted, then undid them.Her stitch tension was as tight as her shoulders.These weekly trips from Cincinnati to Carthage always resulted in headaches and a smoldering temper.She understood Father’s reasoning for keeping their past life a secret.Her kidnapper had never been caught.Thus, it stood to reason he might still be searching for Nora.Except what criminal would pursue a former victim for nearly twelve years?Andthey didn’t have to telleveryonethey’d changed their names from Brisbane to Davis, just her best friends and Dr.Chalfant.She was so tired of keeping her past life from them.Her friends, the Guardians, could be trusted with anything.After all, they’d created their little secret society and bonded over a desire to defend those who could not save themselves.They’d be allies, not liabilities.
The hack trundled over the wooden bridge crossing the Miami Canal toward an expansive brick building known as Longview Insane Asylum—Mum’s residence for the last five years.Nora’s chest squeezed with grief.If Father would allow Dr.Chalfant to know their secret, then maybe they would focus on treating Mum’s paranoia rather than convincing her their past didn’t exist.
Lord, please let this visit go better than the last.Give Mum peace and freedom from fear.
Years of praying the same prayer hadn’t changed anything, but maybe this would be the time God tired of her asking and granted her request.
As the hack turned onto the drive for Longview, Nora focused on binding off the sock on her knitting needle so it would be ready to donate with its match.Once the sock was free, she wove the yarn tail into the stitches so it wouldn’t be noticed by its recipient and picked at until it unraveled.Her weekly donation felt so little in the grand view of things, but it was something tangible she could do to comfort those who, more often than not, were forgotten by others.
The hack slowed, and Nora tucked her knitting needles into her specially added skirt pocket and placed the yarn and finished product inside her bag.The driver released the door over her legs, and she climbed down on her own.He acknowledged her enough to claim her coin, then rolled off at a speed that suggested he feared madness a communicable disease.
Nora sighed, then faced the imposing brick edifice that appeased society by locking away those whose existence they’d rather ignore.Stretching wider than a city block, the facility was a large, five-story central structure flanked by multiple smaller buildings protrudingfrom each wing.Her heart ached at what its size represented—eight hundred patients hurting, broken, alone, and suffering at the hands of professionals who declared they knew what was best.How many of those patients’ families were like hers, hiding the shame, pain, and brokenness of having a family member here from a society who would shun them if they knew?
Lord, give me strength.
Nora climbed the steps to the main entrance beneath the portico and strode into the monumental circular entrance hall.A great glass dome above provided natural light that passed through the glass floor to the kitchens below.
“Good afternoon, Miss Davis.I’m glad you’ve come.”Nurse Abbott rose from behind a desk and met Nora halfway.“Your mother’s insisting she’s Constanza Brisbane again and that you are in grave danger.It will ease her mind to see you safe.”
“I am glad my presence will bring her comfort.”Nora forced an even tone when all she really wanted to do was rail against the unfairness of life.Mum would never improve without proper treatment.“Is it really so bad she believes herself to be a famous opera singer?”
“So long as she believes herself Constanza, she will believe you are in danger.Dr.Chalfant insists that treating her delusion first will free her of her paranoia.”
It would be a reasonable approach if it weren’t so wrong.
Nora dug around for the socks in her bag longer than necessary to ensure she remained the master of her countenance.Once certain her frustration wouldn’t show, she handed over the socks.“I understand Dr.Chalfant’s position, but her very soul is composed of notes and song.You’ve heard her sing.Silencing that music will only make her worse.”
“Which is why everyone pretends not to hear her give you lessons.You’re lucky Dr.Chalfant can’t hear from his office.”Nurse Abbott gave her a stern look, but compassion softened its effect.“Leave your things at my desk, then go into the reception room while I fetch your mother.”
Nora walked past the main staircase into the finely appointed room.It was no doubt meant to impress investors and visitors while hiding the dark nature of what occurred in the wards.The inclusion of an upright piano had surprised her initially, but the blessing had become her favorite part of coming here.She lifted the fallboard to reveal the ivory and ebony keys and slid her fingers over their smooth surfaces before walking up and down a C major scale.If only she were allowed to have a piano at home, she could truly master her assigned exercises, but Father had forbidden all forms of music in their new life.He didn’t even allow singing at church.Instead, he insisted they arrive late, sit in the back, and slip out before the end, all so neither of their singing voices would draw attention.According to him, the opera world was too small and the risk of being found out too great.She closed the fallboard.Mum would have her practicing scales soon enough.
It was some minutes before Mum arrived, but when she did, it was with a cry of relief and a crushing hug.
“Oh, my dear girl.Are you well?”Mum pulled back and cupped Nora’s face as she scrutinized her appearance for any hint of harm.
“I’m fine, Mum.I can confidently say the only villain I’ve encountered this week is Flossie’s puppy, Harold.He sneaked ahold of a sock I was knitting and ruined it before Flossie or I could get it away from him.”
“I’m so glad.”Mum’s forehead wrinkled as she continued her hunt for injuries.
As usual, Mum was too caught up in her paranoia to listen.It shouldn’t hurt—they went through this every week—but oh, how Nora longed for some sign Mum had improved.But it was not to be today, and she wouldn’t allow that to taint her treasured time.
They went through the usual routine.Nora gave a carefully curated description of her safe and boring week.Then she reassured Mum she wasn’t hiding anything—except maybe her escapades with the Guardians.She and Father were truly well.No, the kidnapper had not yet been found—not that he ever would be.And finally, yes,Nora still carried her knitting needles everywhere with her for protection.
After ensuring Nurse Abbott wouldn’t see, Nora exposed the contraband’s tips in her pocket to Mum.If it was discovered she’d brought anything with even a dull point into the room, she’d be escorted out immediately.Nora understood the precaution for potentially dangerous patients, but Mum hadn’t attacked anyone in ages.
Finally Mum broke free of her fear and came alive with music.“Have you been practicing your scales and exercises?”
“Every day.”
“Good.Then show me how you’ve improved your transitioning between registers since last week.”Mum took her place at the piano.
Nora nodded and mentally prepared for the task at hand.Singing was no mere throwing out of notes.There was science behind it, and while not purely academic, singing with a full voice, accurate intonation, and smooth transitions between the chest, medium, and head registers was as much a mental exercise as it was physical and musical.Nora stood upright, ensuring her head was erect and shoulders back, then closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.As she released it, she focused on relaxing every muscle that would affect her singing.Once satisfied, she nodded to Mum to play the scales.
Though Mum was a strict taskmaster and insisted on perfection, Nora reveled in this brief time of normalcy.No matter what point of life Nora reflected on, her relationship with Mum had been founded on music.She couldn’t remember a time when Mum hadn’t given her lessons.Even after Father banished music from their home, she and Mum had persisted while Father worked at the accounting office.Even if Nora was forever relegated to sing in the shadows and never on a stage, she would cling to these lessons and the youthful joy they returned to Mum’s face.For an hour in every visit, Mum was the vivacious woman who had captivated so many.
As Nora worked through a particularly difficult transition from her medium to head registers, she caught sight of the reception room door opening in her periphery.The familiar broad form of Mr.Beaumont entered the room with a basket over his arm and his wide, easy smile in place as he greeted Nurse Abbott.If Nora weren’t so well trained in masking her facial expressions, she’d have given away her embarrassment at being caught singing by him.However, as good as she was at controlling her countenance, her loss of focus was obvious.Mum reprimanded Nora’s suddenly flat intonation.
Nora cut off the scale completely.“I think it best we quit for today.I’m afraid this weather has impacted me.If I continue any longer, I risk fatiguing my voice.”
