lose all the progress we've made to date. That can
happen if things are rushed sometimes," she said. "Rushed?" I laughed and the sound of that
laughter seemed strange even to me. I knew it was
strange and worrisome because Doctor Marlowe
didn't smile but grimaced instead.
"Rushed? You know what it's like to look out
the car window and see girls my age and younger
walking on the sidewalk with their friends and
boyfriends, their faces full of joy, their lives full of
promises? I feel like an animal in a cage. I didn't put
myself into that cage, either. It's not fair. I want to get
out, Doctor Marlowe."
"I know, honey, and I'm going to help you do
just that."
I gazed at the bathroom door.
"They all had bad times, too, but they looked so
shocked and afraid back there."
She nodded.
"One or two of them might not want to stay, but
somehow, I think you'll all get through it," she said.
She squeezed my hand and I took a deep breath and
smiled. "Ready?"
"Yes. Take me back. I want to focus on all the
bad things just like you told me to do, and I want to
put all my anger and strength into smashing them to
bits forever and ever. Will I ever be able to do that?" She smiled.
"I know you will," she said firmly enough to
make me feel confident.
I walked out and returned to the office. I could
see they had been talking incessantly about me. The