Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-27012445-20151022172510

3 months ago “Is everything alright, Jeremy?”

“Yes.”

“How are you getting along with your mom and dad?”

“Fine.”

“How are you doing with your meds?”

“Fine.”

''“Just fine? Nothing else?”''

Silence.

Dr. Lewis sat up from his chair and took the empty space next to Jeremy. He slouched his posture in a manner similar to Jeremy. Without a hint of any of the standard professional tones common with health providers, only genuine concern, he said:

''“Jeremy, you can tell me anything you want or nothing at all. Either way, it’s okay. What is important is that you know that I will be here when you’re ready or when you need me.”''

Tears began to spill over Jeremy’s eyes.

''“I don’t like the way it makes me feel! I don’t like the way people look at me! I don’t like the way people treat me! Everything I do is wrong! My mom loves God more than me! They hit me every time I do something wrong! Why am I like this? What is wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this?”''

Fortunately, Jeremy was looking down as wept and did not see the flash of anger that crossed Dr. Lewis's face at the mention of the boys parents. He knew the type. They got so consumed in their spiritual pursuits for salvation in the afterlife that they forgot about the life they were living right now and the love that a religion can inspire. There was more to life than obedience and discipline, especially when it comes to your children. There are better ways than a belt.

“Jeremy, would you like me to tell you what I think about schizophrenia?”

Jeremy slowly nodded. ''“For some people, I don’t think it is just a disease. I think it is an ability, an ability only a very few special people have.”''

"I don't understand," Jeremy said through the tears.

"Well, think about it in this way. With the advances we are making in science, we are learning new things every day. Things we would never have thought possible; things about our universe, where it came from, and even about reality itself."

“''Now, what if I were to tell you that we are very close to proving there are countless of other universes that exist side by side and alongside our universe. All of these dimensions are stacked onto each other like pages in a book. Each page is so close that the distance is only as thick as the page of paper from the book. They are forever separate and impossible to interact with each other. What if for you and others like you, could it be possible that what you are seeing and hearing are not hallucinations? What if it’s real, in a matter of speaking? What if you have the ability to catch glimpses and flashes of the other side; the other side of the page? That is an amazing gift, even though I know it’s hard to see it in that way now. Someday, I believe it will be possible for you to use this skill and use it to become the first explorers of these new frontiers. Just imagine what you might see.”''

Jeremy face showed both interest and then concern, “What if they don’t want to be seen?”

Dr. Lewis’s brow furrowed, “Come again?”

Jeremy wiped his face off of the remaining tears, and spoke, not with trepidation or distress, but with an analytical mind far beyond his years.

"What I saw and heard wasn't nice. If it is real, what if they don't want to be seen? What if they don't know they can be seen? What if they don't know we are out here, yet? What if they find a way to cross over?”

Dr. Lewis was at a loss of words for a moment. It was obvious he had never been confronted with this obvious flaw in his optimistic outlook of living with schizophrenia. He only wished to inspire those that he knew would have hard and difficult lives, forever battling to distinguish from what is real and what is delusional. He looked Jeremy directly in his eyes and was overcome with admiration and affection for the boy. He was such an intelligent and amazing kid that deserved better than what he got dealt in life.

"Well, if they turn out to be some nasty, little critters that don't want to be seen, then don't let them know you can see them," He said cheerfully. "Regardless, you'll never have to deal with them alone and they will never be stronger than you. You got that?”

“Yeah!” Jeremy said with a genuine smile.

''“Alright kiddo, I will see you next week. Go on and have a seat in the waiting, I need to have a word with your mom and dad for a second. I think things are going get a lot better for you at home real soon.”'' 