The bleakness and bareness of the inside of Ancora State Mental Hospital was matched only in the void of compassion and humanity of most of the staff. The only pattern was the crosses in the aged linoleum. It wasn’t just antiseptic it was austere. At the back of the ward was an enclosed screened patio. It was like a cage, but clean, fresh air flowed there. As she pressed her face against the screen, the cold metal smelled musty. Some one was screaming a gut wrenching, soul searing wail. She studied the view from the cage. Winter had its icy fingers around the grounds and it was almost as bleak as inside, except there were trees. “How the hell did I wind up here? I am not supposed to be here!” She then laughed to herself. “Nobody should have to be here. At least nobody who is not guilty of a crime because this is nothing more than a jail. I am incarcerated. What is my crime?” Dammit, this line of thinking would just lead to self-pity and depression, it wouldn’t be constructive.

She counted her blessings. She was no longer held in body restraints, after eight days of unbroken tie-down, she was “free.” Free to walk around and talk with the other patient in-mates. She wasn't being molested anymore by the attendant on the nightshift. She smiled to herself. Thank God. Thank God Nina saw his actions and they both got the chance to report it to the police that she had called. Using the telephone was her first act when the restraints were finally removed. Of course they had immediately restricted her use of the phone. They were just a little late. They the staff, who should be dedicated to the health and well-being of their patients, in this institution were an abusive, vile, sometimes criminal bunch. The Psychologist, at least she was blessedly compassionate and professional. She told herself to focus on the positive side or she might drown in the negative.

“Hey, girlfriend, it’s almost lunch.” As she turned around she saw the scrubbed clean face with the pug nose and the eyes. Those blue eyes that had witnessed the molestation. “Nina, it has finally happened. Hell has frozen over and we are here to enjoy it. An-fing-cora.” Nina giggled and they shared a cigarette. “Let’s get in line for lunch.”