Boom
Entry 44 - Group Therapy
Today was group therapy. Below is my account. I believe after today I am going to put in a request for anti-depressants.
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The group assembled in a semi-circle, all the usual players were there -
George - the war veteran who hated everyone
Tyrone - an annoying body building control freak
Pierre - the recent pharmaceutical retiree
Estel - a frightening creature with a wicked smile on her face
And of course, me - the youthful and depressed 65 year old who still can't understand why his family locked him in here!
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Bethany, excited, started to explain the purpose behind the word 'community'
"The word 'community' means together, it means functioning in a sphere of happiness free of complaint and united in together"
"Sounds like communism", George cracked
The group started laughing, thinking it was a joke, only to be interrupted by George slamming his fist down and going on a tirade:
"I'm not joking! I didn't stop the Red Army just to be educated on why I've got to be nice to people. It's my American right to eat a breakfast of cynicism and hate and then throw it all up on anyone who crosses my path".
To which Pierre stood up and started clapping
"Don't clap for him", shrieked Bethany
The whole group was silent; clearly shocked at Bethany, a calm and collected nuisance who had just had an unusual outburst.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell", Bethany said to a shocked audience
Pierre, trembling, "You aren't going to take my blood are you Bethany?"
Bethany began to respond, but Estel jumped in:
"I'm going to kill George for you Nurse Bethany."
At that point, I saw George reach for his pistol and Pierre stopped him,whispering - "Not now George, we have a plan."
"Nobody is going to be killed Estel," Bethany responded. "I'm tired of hearing seniors talk about killing seniors, that's why we are having this meeting. Troy for one was complaining about rooming with George. What are your complaints Troy?"
I was courageous, I stood up and said my piece: "Well, George freaks me out, he stares at me, and jots down notes about me."
LAUGHTER (THAT'S RIGHT! THEY ALL LAUGHED AT ME!)
"Is that it" Bethany asked me.
I flipped out; in hindsight this was a mistake.
"Is that it? Lady, are you nuts? The guy stares at me,he watches me and jots down notes in his pad. I read the pad last week and it had all kinds of notes on me, notes about my rapid eye movement, notes about the number of hairs in between my eyebrows, and a top ten list of reasons that he thinks I'm gay."
There was silence. I realized then that I had done something terribly wrong.
Bethany stood up, visibly angry - "Am I to understand that you touched another resident's property? That's theft of the first order"
Before I could respond, Estel started cackling. A wicked laughter.
Estel stood up, on two canes, each had what appeared to be the skull of a cat on them.
"I instructed the new guy to do it, it's my fault. I just wanted to know as much as I could about George so I could properly kill him."
George again reached for his gun only to be stopped again by Pierre.
"Really, Nurse Bethany, can we have a vote on not allowing Estel to speak anymore?" asked Pierre
"There will be no such votes. Maybe we just need everyone to clear the air and then we can have a rational discussion. Tyrone and Pierre, are you happy with your rooming situation?"
"I suspect that Pierre has been smuggling in pharmaceuticals; when I catch him I will report him." stated Tyrone
"Tyrone has a crush on you Bethany that he won't stop talking about," declared Pierre, then he crossed his arms and smiled, as Tyrone's face turned red.
"Aww, isn't that adordable. Well I like you, too, Tyrone," Bethany responded.
"Like a vet favors a stray dog right before he euthanizes the poor mutt," laughed George.
"Cut it out George," snapped Bethany.
"Estel, how is your roommate treating you?"
Estel cleared her throat, "Well, she was a real pain when we started off. I mean a real crutch to my efforts. We used to argue a lot but then the last few weeks she's been a delight, she listens to my stories, and watches me crochet. Why she has been just a real delight"
"See everyone," lectured Bethany, "there is a way to get along with your roommate, caring and sharing.
George raised his hand
"Yes, George."
"Estel, this roommate of yours has to be dead for you to get along so well, is she dead?"
LAUGHTER ENSUED
"Yes George, she is," replied Estel.
The Whole Group Was Silent
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Postscript - I was still in shock after writing this post and had another conversation with George. I think we resolved some of our issues.
"So a whole 2 weeks and nobody noticed she was dead?" asked Troy
"Yep" replied George
"For some reason, I don't mind you studying my sleep habits. Knock yourself out" I told George.
This blogger: I live in Boomer Village right off route 482. This is my blog... a source of relief that my therapist recommended. I'm 65, I don't belong here, I hate my abandoning family and I hate my life.
