Nightmare

Maive's body jolted with each wave of electricity forced into her system. It was relentless and merciless. The timing never gave her body a chance to recover. Soon enough her eyes rolled back into her head. I had to do stop this. Each pull or push against the door was a futile attempt. My eyes traveled down to look at Maive's hand. It was positioned as if a hand was grasping hers. Before I could think further into the matter, two male nurses forcefully escorted me back to the lobby.

Matt, Zacky, and Johnny were by the door waiting. They began to rush me out, wanting to get home. I stood my ground, not allowing them to move me along. "Brian come on man, I'm hungry.", Johnny urged me to move. Thoughts ran crazy through my mind. Maive was back there being hurt and there was not a damned thing I could do. "They are hurting her... She had a right to be angry. He went too far by showing her a picture like that. A picture of her fathers dead body after he had been shot. Now she is being put through that electro shock shit because of it!" They each stopped dead in their tracks."You heard me...", my reply was met by silence. Each took time to process the news. We have each come to care for Maive in our own ways. There wasn't anything we could do to help her. Eventually we made our way to Matt's car. The car ride was silent and agonizing. I was the first to be dropped off.

My body numbly moved through the front door of my house. Footsteps sounded through the hall. They were light but quick. Michelle rushed around the corner and jumped into the air. Her light body came in contact with mine. Usually her warm embrace would ease any worries or raging emotions I had. Not this time though...Her body pulled back from the one-sided hug. My arms continued to hang limply at my sides. Michelle frowned, "Brian, what's wrong?" Her voice held worry in its tone. She led me over to the couch. She sat us both down. "Brian, did something happen today at the hospital?"

My mouth took it upon itself to spill every detail against my brains wishes. Every detail of Maive's past, her condition, and the events of today. Michelle sat listening to my hysterical rambling with great earnest. When I was finished she did not speak. I almost felt guilty for telling this all to my wife. It was someones private life that did not need to be shared. Then again, I felt like it needed to be shared with Michelle. We sat in silence, neither knowing what to say. She decided to break it. "Do you think she is crazy, Brian?" My eyes met hers, "No, I don't think she is crazy. She is just so scarred and hurt. Maive is only 16 and the only person who cared for her as a child was ripped from her side. Every human has their breaking point. She was pushed to hers at such a young age. But she is strong though. She fights and strives to survive. Maybe these ghosts are just a way for her to not feel alone.

'A way for her to pull through and stand tall. She needs someone to love and take care of her. Those idiots at that psych hospital can not take care her. She is not like those other patients. She needs a family to love her." My head fell back to lie on the couch. Maive had worked her way into my heart so quickly over these last few weeks. I felt protective over her. I felt as if I needed to watch over her and take care of her. Michelle took my hand, "You said she is an orphan. Well, what if we got her out of that hospital?" Did I just hear her right? Did Michelle just suggest adoption? For years we had been trying to have a child but no luck.

After a period of time we went to the doctor. Michelle was in perfect condition to have a child. As for me, that was not the case. We wanted children and had discussed adoption on many occasions. Though this was different, much different. This was the consideration of adopting a 16 year old girl who has a tragic past and mental condition. A girl who Michelle has not met. A girl who may not trust or even like us. A girl that I seem to have come to developed fatherly feelings for. Was this a step we should take?

In the back of my mind, memories played. Memories of Jimmy telling me to wait and the right child would come into our lives. Was this the time he was referring to? My heart automatically gave an answer.

Notes