Change Her Mind: A Novel by Madeleine Sharp

Author:Madeleine Sharp [Sharp, Madeleine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-22T23:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

When we got up to our apartment I suggested that Chloe take a shower in preparation for our night out, and fortunately she agreed. As soon as I heard the water go on, I turned to Jack.

“I’m afraid we’re not prepared for guests,” I said apologetically.

“Sophie, I know that,” he said. “It’s clear that Chloe’s unwell, and I thought that maybe I could help.”

“Oh,” I said. “Thank you.” Part of me wished he would just leave, but it was a relief to be able to discuss things with a rational adult. “You don’t happen to have any sedative drugs, do you?”

I had asked it in jest, but he answered seriously. “No. Do you think that’s what she needs?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she’s manic. That quetiapine that she overdosed on would be perfect right now, but I doubt they renewed that prescription.” I shook my head. “I found a bottle of Ritalin in her purse, prescribed by her psychiatrist, if you can believe it. That’s probably contributing to this episode.”

He nodded. “Okay. Do you want to take her to the hospital?”

“She wouldn’t go willingly. I could call the police, but I’m not sure they would take her in. She’s not herself, but it’s not clear that she’s a threat to anyone right now. I’m going to try to reach her psychiatrist.”

It was after six o’clock, so it was unlikely that Dr. Jankovic was still in her office, but I hoped that she was part of a group, with someone on call for after-hours emergencies. But my call went directly to voicemail, and a recorded voice told me that Dr. Jankovic would be in her office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 AM to 3 PM. Patients needing care outside of those hours were advised to go to the ER. I walked to the kitchen and put on the kettle, then dumped three tablespoons of instant coffee into a large mug.

“Instant coffee is pretty awful, but would you like some?” I asked Jack. “Or something else to drink? We have orange juice and Coke in the fridge. Or there’s grocery store wine, and I think Nathan may have left some beer.” I paused. “If Chloe insists on going out, maybe the best thing would be to get her drunk and put her to bed. If all else fails, I may try that.”

“Coke sounds great, thank you.” He walked over to join me in the kitchen. I could see him examining the ‘Goals for the Week’ calendar we had stuck to the fridge with magnets. There was still only one goal written on it: Take a Shower. Chloe had put a huge check mark beside it.

“We’ll have to log her second shower of the week,” I said, trying to make a joke of it. “Although I think she may have forgotten to record a few.”

“The calendar’s a good idea,” he said. I looked at him, expecting to see a mocking expression, but his expression was gentle, and it almost undid me.

“Would you like me to order something for dinner?” he asked.

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