A Sisters' Tale/C2 The Younger Sister
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A Sisters' Tale/C2 The Younger Sister
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C2 The Younger Sister

A cacophony of disarrayed noise reverberates throughout the bustling hallways; as a majority of the institute's staff hurriedly prepares for the imminent closing of the facility.

Dr. Regala gingerly ambles down the extremely busy corridor; making a conscientious effort to avoid getting in the way of the seemingly harried staff haphazardly scurrying about. She's almost at her destination; when she sees nine-year-old Elizabeth exit the room. Elizabeth … who also takes notice of the approaching doctor … walks over to Dr. Regala; and, starts to explain...

“My mom sent me over to bring Uncle Cass some lunch...” she looks down to the floor; and, sheepishly mutters, “so...”

Dr. Regala grins. “So … you figured you might as well say goodbye … since you were here, anyway.”

Elizabeth looks back up at Dr. Regala, and smiles. “Yeah.”

“I see. And, you're all done, now; I take it?”

Elizabeth nods. Dr. Regala flashes her an amicable smile; and, tells her in a friendly tone...

“Alright, then … off you go. We wouldn't want to be getting in anyone's way, now; would we?”

“No. I'm going now. Goodbye, Dr. Regala.”

“Goodbye, Elizabeth.” And; as Elizabeth walks off, “Oh … and, be sure to give your mom my regards.”

“I will.”

Dr. Regala's amused as she watches Elizabeth animatedly ducking and dodging the preoccupied staff darting to and fro through the corridor transporting moving boxes and furniture. And, while watching Elizabeth; the head nurse, Marge … a silver-haired woman in her mid-sixties; who exudes more of an appearance of that of a governess than a nurse … walks up behind the doctor.

Catching the ending of the folly-type show; an amused smile also emerges upon the nurse's mouth...

“I take it she was here to say goodbye?”

“Yes; she was.”

“She's probably going to miss her. Elizabeth use to come by so often to keep her company, and read to her. … And, let's not forget; Elizabeth was also the one who gave her her most prized possession.”

Madge pauses for a brief moment; as a somber expression overtakes her countenance. Then; she sullenly remarks...

“Seems such a shame that they won't be able to see one another, anymore. A darn shame.”

Realizing that Marge is apparently disappointed … especially after observing the somber-looking expression on her face … Dr. Regala tries to console her by assuredly declaring...

“I'm sure they'll meet again in the future someday.”

Finding some solace in the doctor's reassurance; Madge lets out a brief chuckle, and smiles...

“Always the optimistic, I see; huh?”

Dr. Regala reciprocates with a smile of her own; as she quips...

“As a doctor, I can wholeheartedly attest that it's much healthier than being a pessimist.”

Madge lets out another brief chuckle...

“I suppose you're right.”

Madge catches a glimpse of another nurse waving for her to come over, from down the corridor. She waves back in acknowledgment; then, wraps up her conversation with the doctor.

“I'm guessing you were on your way to check in on her; so, I won't keep you any longer, and let you be on your way. Besides … looks like duty calls for me, as well. Catch up with you again later, then?”

“Will do.”

Madge walks away; leaving Dr. Regala standing at the door of her long time patient … and; charge she's been looking after for a little over two years, at the institute. As soon as she opens the door; she's met with that all too familiar sound … a continual cadence of squeaking box springs. She steps into the darkened room, and closes the door behind her...

“And; how's my favorite patient doing today?” She begins to playfully jest, “Oh, no; I shouldn't have said that … a doctor isn't supposed to have favorites. Please don't tell anyone that I said you were my favorite...” she smiles, “I know how much of a chatterbox you can be.”

Dr. Regala pauses briefly; waiting for perhaps some kind of reaction … not that she's really expecting one; and, would be quite shocked if Katie did respond.

“Nothing; huh? Okay...”

The doctors starts to work her across the darkened room...

“But, one day we're going to get you to talk; I'm sure of it … and, I personally can't wait to hear what you have to say.”

She arrives at the window; whose curtains are drawn tightly shut...

“For now, though; what do say we let a little light in? Brighten things up a bit in here.”

Dr. Regala brusquely thrusts the curtains open; allowing the midday's beaming sun's rays to rush in, and quickly illuminate the child-motif decorated room.

The severely autistic, eight-year-old child appears to be in a seemingly trance-like state; sitting upright in bed with her arms folded across her lap, while rhythmically rocking back and forth. Her gaze is intensely focused upon her most prized possession … a medieval-themed mobile; which is hanging prominently above her bed.

The mobile was given to her by Elizabeth; who would often visit, and read a varied selection of stories to her. And, since it seemed that she enjoyed the medieval-type stories the best; Elizabeth specifically chose this mobile as a gift for her.

It has several tiers of an array of colorful, plastic ornaments … all depicting elements found in those type of stories. At the pinnacle of the mobile's tiers is a large, medieval castle. Below that … dangling on fine wires … the tiers consist of dragons, unicorns, ogres, fairies, crescent moons, and stars.

Dr. Regala pulls a chair up beside the bed, and sits...

“The hospital's going to be closing soon, Katie; so, you'll be going home tomorrow … remember? … I bet you're looking forward to that; huh? Finally back home with your mom; dad … and, of course; your sister, Patricia. You haven't seen her for a while; so, that'll be nice … right?”

As usual, she's oblivious to the doctor's presence; while remaining totally mesmerized by the mystical mobile. Each ornament is seemingly shimmering … every color vibrantly glowing … as the sunlight radiates through them. Dr. Regala glances up at the room's hovering adornment...

“You sure do love this mobile; don't you? … Well; I suppose we'll have to make sure that we take it along back home with you.”

Dr. Regala stands, and lovingly strokes Katie's hair; then, gently takes hold of Katie to stop her rocking momentum long enough to deliver a tender kiss to the top of her head. She releases her...

“I have to go now … lots of things to do. But; I'll be back later to check up on you.”

The doctor walks over to the door; then, looks back at her entranced patient...

“I wonder what goes on inside that little mind of yours.” She smiles. “Maybe someday you'll let someone in and share your world.”

Dr. Regala leaves; while Katie continues rhythmically rocking, with her arms folded across her lap … intensely gazing up at the mobile. And, as the sunlight's beams keep on radiating through each and every dangling piece; the refracting vibrant colors of the ornaments seem to dance across her face.

Although Katie's eyes appear to be fixated upon the mobile; she soon conveys what can best be described as a 'thousand yard stare'. And now, having fallen deeper into her trance-like state; Katie drifts off into her own little world. An alternate world where she can shake off the shackles of her autism; and, be free to live a vicariously active life … and; communicate with all those around her.

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