Treasure

Doctor Thompson greeted them and led them back to a conference room, where two of his colleagues were waiting. Mark felt his stomach drop when he saw their grim faces, and Dawn was gripping his hand tightly as they sat down. “How is Treasure doing,” she asked, “And when can we see her?”

Doctor Thompson turned on a television and looked at them, his eyes didn’t hold hope for them. “Treasure had to be sedated last night, she had another violent episode. I think you need to see this to understand what is going on with her right now.” He pressed a button on the remote, and a video started to play on the screen.

Dawn gasped and brought her free hand over her mouth as she saw her daughter in the small room, her eyes closed but not for long. Her hands went to her head, and she let out a scream as her head tossed side to side in agony. They watched in horror as she pulled her hair out, screamed into the pillow and banged her head against the wall. She tried to get up but ended up rolling off the bed to the floor and it looked like she was having a seizure. It went on for another ten seconds or so before her movement stopped.

When she got up, it was like someone else was in control. She turned to the bed, pulling the sheets off and tearing the pillow apart. She then turned to the door, finding it locked. Backing up a few steps, she ran forward and slammed her shoulder into the door. Mark flinched as he watched his daughter bounce off the padded steel. The thudding noise sounded like she was hurting herself, but she didn’t change her angry expression. She kept attacking the door, time after time without any sign of pain. “Oh God,” Dawn said as she looked at the crazed eyes of her baby.

The door pushed open after another bounce, and orderlies swarmed into the room and tackled her. She screamed and fought, biting a man, blood smearing her face until the drugs took effect and she collapsed to the floor. Doctor Thompson paused the video as the injured man looked at his bleeding arm. “As you can see, there is a complete psychotic break during this video. She has no sense of reality, she wasn’t feeling pain, and she acted with violence.”

Dawn leaped up from her chair, running to the door before she started to throw up in the garbage can. Mark was at her side, holding her hair back, then walked her out to the bathroom while Doc called maintenance to deal with the mess. “That may have been too much for them to see so quickly,” one doctor said.

“They needed to know how serious her condition is before we could do anything else,” Doctor Thompson said. The staff was unified on the treatment; the hold wasn’t enough, Treasure needed to be committed to the mental hospital and receive extensive therapy and drug treatments to get her schizophrenia under control.

It didn’t take long for her parents to agree, and the high school freshman became the newest long-term resident of the mental health ward.

Two Months Later

The Treasure they picked up from the hospital was nothing like the one that had started the school year. Gone was the bubbly and energetic athlete, star of the soccer team and straight-A student.

Her eyes no longer had the shine, instead they were clouded over like her brain.

Her body was soft, the fifteen pounds she had gained covering what before had been toned muscle.

Her long red hair was gone, the multiple seizures causing enough to be torn out that they shaved her head in the first two weeks, making sure she couldn’t grab it and pull it out again.

Mark hid his emotions as he watched the nurse push her wheelchair out to the waiting car. Dawn was walking alongside her, trying to make her feel that things were all right, that coming home would be the end of her troubles.

It was all a lie, he knew in his heart. Their troubles were just beginning.

He got out and helped her into the back, then walked Dawn around and opened the back seat for her. Dawn was already stroking her short hair as she leaned on her for support, the tears starting to flow even before he had buckled his seatbelt. Surprisingly, she hadn’t raged against them for leaving her in the hospital, she was glad. It had been three weeks since she had heard the voice, and five since she had one of her psychotic breaks. Finding the right drug therapy to control her condition had taken weeks, and along the way she had been participating in counseling.

She wouldn’t forgive herself if someone got hurt again.

The ride home was quiet, and there was no party to welcome her. Their extended family had been told to stay away, to give her time to adjust. The disappointment on her face when the door opened to an empty house and the slump of her shoulders told them they had miscalculated. Treasure turned back to them, tears forming in her eyes. “Grandma?”

“We asked her not to come yet, Treasure. We wanted to make sure you were ready.”

“I can call her if you want,” Dawn said. “We could invite her for lunch.”

“I’d like that,” she said. “I’m tired, I’m just going to go to my room for a bit and take a real shower.” They watched her move slowly down the hall to her room and when she closed the door, Dawn broke down.

“I don’t know what to do here, I don’t know who she is anymore,” she cried into his chest.

“It will get better, Doc told us the drugs would affect her energy and personality. It’s going to get better. The important thing is she is getting the help she needs.”

“It has to, she’s barely living now.”

In her room, Treasure overheard what they said as she flopped down onto her bed. Nothing much had changed since that day she left for school; her Mom had picked up and done the laundry, the stacks of folded clothes in a chair in the corner. It was good to be away from the hospital, she thought as she rolled onto her side.

A buzzing from the bedside table got her attention, and she looked at her phone. Mom must have brought it home and plugged it in, because when she opened her iPhone 4s, Jenny's picture came up. Smiling, she answered the call. “Jenny?”

“Oh GOD, you’re finally home! I’ve missed you, Rea!”

“I’ve missed you too. I literally just walked in my bedroom, do you want to come over?”

There was a pause. “I can’t, Rea. My parents don’t want me to have anything to do with you anymore.” Her heart sank in her chest and tears came to her eyes as the full import of her sentence hit her. “I had to sneak out just to call you, but I had to know you are all right.”

Rea just laughed. “I’m a long way from all right, Jenny. I’m getting better, though.”

“I have to get back, I’m changing your name so we can text, all right? I’ll see you at school.”

School. That was going to be a problem. “Sure, see you then. Thanks, Jenny. Just know I’m sorry this all happened.”

“I am too. Just get better, all right? I miss my winger.”

“I will. Bye.” She ended the call, then looked at her messages. The boxes were nearly full; Jenny alone had left almost a hundred, and she went back through those quickly. The rest? Friend after friend had turned on her, called her names, wished she was dead or otherwise hated her. Facebook was no better; ten minutes in, she deleted her account. The vile things people posted made her sick. Did they think she CHOSE this?

What she had gone through over the last few months, she wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy. “Rabid Rea” seemed to be the insult of choice, with many saying she should be put down like a dog. Tossing her phone on the bed, she slid down to the floor, pulling her knees up as she cried for the loss of her life.

Nothing would ever be the same.

She heard soft footsteps in the hall, then her Mom knocked softly. “Treasure?”

“Mom…” She barely got that out, and when her Mom saw her she sat on the floor and pulled her into her lap. “Everyone hates me, Mom,” she cried into her neck.

“I know, baby. This will pass, but it will take time.” Nothing had been easy for any of them; their house had been egged, threatening phone calls had been routine and many of their own friends had pulled back. Even work had not been immune, and the gossip mill had been horrible. Letting out her breath, she kissed her forehead then ran her fingers through her short hair. “Jenny has been in your corner the whole time, even after… never mind.”

“After what?”

Dawn paused, knowing she would find out eventually. “A week after that practice, a few people jumped her in the hallway. Her face was slammed into a locker and it broke her nose, and they punched her hard enough to break a rib.” Rea was horrified, knowing she took a beating because she was loyal to her. “She missed most of the season.”

“I don’t know if I can face them, Mom. They hate me.”

“I don’t know if you will, baby. You were suspended pending a hearing with the school, we meet with them tomorrow to find out what is next.” She lifted her daughter’s chin, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Now, Grandma is almost here, and she doesn’t want to see a crying mess. How about you take that shower and come out? The pizza will be here in twenty minutes.”

“All right.” She got to her feet, then held her hand out to help Mom up. “Pasquale’s, right?”

“Of course, it’s your favorite.” She gave her daughter a hug. “I’m so happy you’re home. We’re trying not to overwhelm you, so if things get to be too much just come back here.”

“I’m fine, Mom. The drugs are helping, I’m just sluggish. It’s probably hospital food and lack of exercise, I mean, look at this!” She pinched her belly fat. “It’s going to take a lot of running to work this off.”

“Starting tomorrow,” Dawn laughed. Rea went to her bathroom, and she walked back to the door, smiling a little.

It was going to be tough, but maybe things would work out.

The next morning, Rea got in the car with her parents for the short ride to the District Offices. They were escorted to a conference room, where her Principal, Assistant Principal, 9th grade counselor, soccer coach, a lawyer and the school psychologist were waiting. Her father had told her to sit quietly and listen, so she did, even though the words cut her like knives.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Olson, and Treasure. The purpose of this hearing is to determine disciplinary actions related to the attack by Ms. Olson on a classmate. We have reviewed the reports on the incident from the coaches, other students, the police reports and your academic record. Mrs. Wells has also, with your parent’s permission, reviewed your medical records and has spoken to your doctor. She has provided her opinion, but due to privacy laws the rest of us are not allowed to review those records. Before we make a final decision, we would like to hear from you and your parents.”

Mark looked at his daughter, his eyes encouraging her to speak. She cleared her throat and started. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I still can’t recall what happened, but I have worked hard with my doctors to control my anger so this never happens again. What happened, me reacting like that… that isn’t who I am. Nothing like that will happen again.” She squeezed her father’s hand.

“This is a sad situation all around,” he said. “Treasure has gone through a lot to get better, and I’m worried about what will happen when she returns to school. There have been threats, vandalism and at least one attack on her friend. I want her to be able to return to school, but I’m concerned for her safety as well.”

Dawn spoke up next. “She’s suffered so much,” she said as she wiped away a tear. “She’s already lost a third of the school year, and a whole soccer season. Before this day, she was a straight-A student, popular and a star athlete. Her treatment is working, and she deserves to return to school,” she said.

“Is there anything else you would like us to consider before we make our decision?” There wasn’t. “All right, if you could wait outside while we deliberate.” The three got up and went out to the waiting area. Rea listened to the deliberations through the door, her mood falling with each sentence. They weren’t going to let her return. She started to cry, leaning on her father as he tried to comfort her.

Twenty minutes later, they were called back in. “We have had to balance fairness and safety in this decision and keeping Rea and our other students safe has to be the main priority. The nature of this attack on a fellow student cannot be excused or ignored, and we will not do so. Treasure Olson is hereby expelled from school and has been banned from school grounds, activities and sports for no less than one year from this date.”

“Expelled? How will she get her education?” Mark was holding his daughter’s hand, she already knew the answer so there was no point crying now.

“There are a few options. We do have a program here at the District offices for students who need non-traditional methods. She can receive guided instruction with special education staff. Alternately, she can use web-based school and work from home to complete her studies.”

“That one,” Treasure said. “I’ll do the computer.”

“Are you sure,” Dawn asked her. “You’ll be alone.”

“I’d be alone even if they let me back in school, Mom. No one is going to look at me the same, ever. At least this way I can focus on the work.” She looked at her coach. “Can I go out for the team next year?”

“I’m sorry, Treasure, you can't be on the team unless you are enrolled in the school. You can ask for a hearing next November.” November… the season would be over. She would be a junior before she could play the game she loved again. The loss of her favorite sport hurt more than the loss of school.

“I understand,” she said as she looked down at her hands in her lap. “I wouldn’t want me around either. Excuse me.” She got up, tears rolling down her face, and almost ran to the door. Dawn got up to follow her, and before the door closed Mark could hear the sound of his daughter throwing up into the garbage can in the lobby.

“You’ve broken her,” Mark said. “You just took away her friends and the sport she loves.”

“There are no winners in this situation, Mr. Olson.” He took a folder from the counselor. “This explains how to enroll in the Minnesota Virtual High School. She can take the classes at her own pace, and instructors are available by chat and videoconference to assist her. I’m glad she chose this option, with the amount of school she missed, this gives her a good chance to catch up with her class.”

“What about arts and sports? She started drawing while she was in treatment.”

“We can make arrangements for a teacher to meet her here for her art requirements, music as well. I’m afraid it can’t be at school, since she has been expelled she is not allowed on school property other than this building,” the Principal explained.

“I will speak to the teachers we use for classes here and see when they are available,” the counselor said. “If you cannot bring her for part of the day, we could look into home visits once a week for those classes. If you could register her this afternoon, I can stop in tomorrow morning and make sure she is able to navigate the courses and get started.”

Ten minutes later, he joined his wife and daughter who were already waiting in the car. “I can’t even watch Jenny play, can I?”

He shook his head no. “Not in this District,” he said. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

By late afternoon, they had successfully enrolled her in the online high school and she had started her classes. At three, she logged out and went to get dressed in her running clothes. It was still in the 40’s, not bad for the first week of November, and it had been way too long since she had been outdoors. “Going for a run,” she told her Mom as she walked through the kitchen.

“Have fun, dinner is in two hours,” she said.

Leaving the house, she started her mix on her iPod and put the earbuds in. She jogged to the street and started at a much slower than usual pace, letting her muscles warm up. She relaxed into the run, barely noticing the reactions of people as she was recognized.

She followed the winding roads towards school, taking a left instead of going straight when she got close since she wasn’t allowed on their grounds. She was breathing hard, and she shook her head as she saw how bad her conditioning had deteriorated. By the time she got to the top of the hill overlooking the practice fields, she was spent. She slowed to a walk, hands on her hips as she tried to catch her breath. Finding a spot with a view of the practice fields, she watched Jenny play with the Varsity team as they got ready for the State Tournament.

She heard a car stop, then someone got out. “Miss Olson?”

She turned, it was a local police officer. “Yes?”

“We got a call, one of the neighbors was nervous about you being up here. Are you all right?”

She nodded. “I’m too out of shape to be running this far from home,” she told him.

“Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.” As she got in the back of the cruiser, it struck her just how bad her life was now. Parents and students alike didn’t want her around them.