The Return Of The Travelers

"Thanks, Molly," I say nervously. I've never been to a psychiatric hospital before, so I don't know what to expect.

"Just fill these papers out and we'll get started."

I arrived here by ambulance after a serious cutting episode; I didn't want to die, I just cut really, really deep. My mom found me, almost bleeding out, then called 911 and was sent straight to the ER, where they stitched me up and told me I needed to go here. Unfortunately I'm an hour and forty-five minutes away from home; that's why my mom couldn't take me. I do miss my mom. I miss her a lot.

"Anything to eat?" I ask, "I'm starving, and I've had nothing to eat since last night, before I cut." Then I sigh. "They offered me a meal in the ER but I was too nervous about coming here than to eat."

"I understand. They'll give you something when you get up there, I'm sure. If not, you can ask," she says as she goes back to typing furiously.

Molly is a heavy set, older woman (I'd say about in her late 50's) with red, curly hair, fairly long. She's pretty, but then again I think everyone is pretty. She's wearing these vintage round glasses to cover her radiant green eyes, she had a button nose with a scar from a former nose piercing, and thin pink lips with a few chipped teeth - but still pearly white. I examine her for a little while longer, then say:

"I love your dress."

"Thanks," she smiles.

"You bet. It's different for sure! I love the buttons, and the colors! It's so colorful. All my favorite colors: blue, pink, purple..." she looks at me with an odd face; her glasses tilt to her nose.

"Just being honest," I chuckle nervously. This is what I do. I compliment people when I'm nervous.

"Listen, hon. Don't be so nervous about this place. You're going to do just fine. You're just here to get help, remember that. You're here for you."

"Thanks, Molly," I let out a breath of relief due to feeling much better after what Molly had said.

"Yep. What's your name, sweetheart?" asks Molly.

"Catalan Rhinaldi," I say.

"Any nicknames?"

"Yeah, Cat."