While eating dinner Tina’s mind continued to drift back to Bette. The physical affects of her addictions were overwhelming but as severe as they were Tina could only imagine the current state of her mental health. When Tina first began questioning Bette today it appeared as if Bette was not aware of her surroundings. Time and space now eluded her.

However at one point during the interview Bette had made reference to something in her past. Even if that reference was only to her preferred drink of choice she had seemed almost antagonistic in her response. Although not once during their entire time together today did Bette make reference their old friends or their past?

It appeared as if Bette’s memories and her awareness of her surroundings were selective. She seemed to retreat somewhere deep inside of her self as a survival mechanism.  Tina had seen this same pattern with other addicts however not to this extreme. Suddenly, she was pulled from her thoughts by the ringing of her phone.

“Dr. Kennard I am sorry to bother you at home but we have a problem with Ms. Porter she was given her evening medications and they appeared to aid in suppressing her symptoms. However another patient mistakenly entered her room and she went ballistic…she has moved the bed against the door and refuses to open up unless she can talk to you. She has been going at it for a while now…refusing to speak to anyone but someone named Tina…but no one on staff tonight knew she was asking to see you because here you are known as Dr. Christina Kennard. I am sorry doctor. “

“It’s not a problem Karen…only people who know me personally use to call me Tina. I will be there shortly after I arrange a sitter for Angie. Thank you for calling.”

Hanging up the phone Tina cleared the table, place Angie in the tub for a quick bath and dressed her in PJ’s and carried her next door.

“Hello Mrs. Lindy, I am sorry to bother you but there is an emergency at the hospital and I don’t have a sitter for Angie. Would you mind watching her for me for a couple of hours?”