Page 96 of Mortala
She smiles but I give her nothing in return.
"Will she be returning to her parents’ home?The state requires us to document the data for psychiatric releases and their care team.”
"No.She'll be at her apartment."
"Sir, I…, we can't release her to—"
"Didn't say she'd be alone.I'll sign whatever documentation you need.She's going to her home, not her parents.They're expecting their second child and don’t have the capacity to care for Sadie right now."
The second hand of a clock halfway across the room ticks in the uncomfortable silence between Daisy and I.Ambient beeping of monitors down the hall and Sadie's soft breaths are the only noise for several painstaking seconds.
"Very well.I'll grab the extra paperwork for you to sign before you leave.Give the doc 'bout an hour and we’ll get you two out of here.Before you leave, I'll swing back by with the affidavits and legal work."
"All that for a psyche hold?"
"Yes sir.With her history of self-harm and medications, we have to take all liability precautions."
That’s code for ‘we don't want to be responsible for releasing a self-harming violent woman into the wild all because we need her room right now and have nowhere else to put her.’
"Fine."
Daisy nods, finishes up at the computer, and lets herself out.
I fucking hate hospitals.
Forty-two minutes later, a pair of knuckles strike the door with a snap.Sadie still isn't awake; she can sleep until we get home for all I care.I'll carry her out if necessary, they'll kick her out either way.
"It's open."
I picked her hand up after Daisy left fifteen minutes ago.Now that we have company, I have to let her go to sign the droves of incoming paperwork.Which reminds me, I’ll need to take my laptop in when we get to the apartment—have some of my own paperwork to file.
In walks the doc, a tall Asian man.Hair slicked with a part that lines perfectly with the outer corner of his left eye, clean shaven face, comfortable shoes instead of those fancy things pig-headed docs like to wear, and a customary white coat.
"Good morning, Mr.Sullivan.I'm Doctor Tian, the hospitalist for today.It appears Miss Wilson is ready to be released.I need to do a quick assessment before signing off on her discharge.Would you like to answer a few questions for me, or would you prefer to wake her up?"
"I'll answer."My words come out quick and short.The only person disturbing her sleep is herself.
"Very well.Will she have someone eighteen or older present at her discharge?”
"Yes."
"Upon discharge, does Miss Wilson have a safe home to return to where she will not be alone?"
"Yes."
"Are there children in the home?"
"No."
"Other than kitchen utensils, are there any weapons in the home?"
"No."
"Will Miss Wilson have adequate transportation?"
"Yes."
"Is Miss Wilson still a patient of Mr.Kensington?"
