Page 59 of A River of Crows

Sloan wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as Danny filled up a cone-shaped paper cup with water. Noah spotted a few paper towels and reached for them.

“I got it,” Danny said, handing Sloan the water. “I’ll clean it up; you just get her home.” He picked up the small trash can and handed it to Noah. “In case she gets sick again on the drive.”

Caroline was taken off the Hadfield’s roof and into the mental health unit of Mallowater General Hospital. Because she had a gun in her car and threatened to jump off the roof, a judge ordered her to be admitted for a month of observational institutionalization. For the first time in years, Sloan could breathe easily. Someone else made sure her mother ate, made sure she didn’t sneak away. And though Sloan had been on the receiving end of a few hate-filled rants when she called or visited, it was mostly the medical staff having to listen.

Still, Sloan wasn’t able to completely enjoy her newfound freedom. Not with the future so uncertain for her and her mom.

That’s why she was sitting in the office of district attorney Miles Johnson. Sloan had no idea involuntary commitment would involve all this. It felt wrong—like her mom was a criminal facing trial—but what other options did she have?

Walt and Noah sat on either side of her as the attorney read through reports the hospital’s attending psychiatrist had faxed over. Sloan’s body tensed as Miles looked up from the fax.

“This is good news.” He removed his glasses and set them on the mahogany desk. “Forgive me; that’s not the best choice of words. This is good news for making your case.”

“What do they say?” Sloan asked.

“Ms. Radel’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, and borderline personality disorder. This diagnosis and the police records solidify my confidence that we need to apply for an extended commitment.”

“What do you need from us?” Walt asked. “This has been a long time coming. We should have done something sooner.”

“It usually takes something big, like this incident, to make a case strong enough, so this is the exact right time to do it,” Miles said. “I’ll call several witnesses, including you, Mr. Dawson.” He turned to Sloan. “And you too, Ms. Hadfield, if you agree.”

Sloan swallowed. “What would I say?”

“The truth.” Miles put on his glasses again and stared at the papers. “The doctor’s notes mention several past incidents that you included in her intake history. Incidents of physical abuse, neglect, self-harm, and so on. Have you kept a diary or notes regarding these events?”

Sloan shook her head.

“Go home and write anything you can remember; dates can be approximate. Bring it by here, and we’ll talk.” He pushed the papers aside. “And another thing—you graduated last year. Will you be leaving for college?”

Sloan kept her eyes straight ahead, but out of her peripheral, she saw Noah’s head turn toward her. “I’m not sure.”

Noah released her hand. “You said you decided on MCC.”

“Well, I had.” Sloan’s voice cracked. “That was when I didn’t have an option because I needed to take care of Mom.”

Miles nodded. “It’s none of my business, but it might help the state’s case if you were going away to college. It would mean your mom has no caretaker. Couple that with the fact that she can’t find gainful employment, and we’ve got even stronger arguments for a long-term commitment.”

“How long-term are we talking?” Sloan asked.

“The order expires after a year. At that time, we’d have to reapply, or you may choose to look at other options, depending on your mom’s progress.”

“Would Medicaid pay for this?” she asked.

Walt put his hand on Sloan’s back. “That’s something we’ll worry about later. Right now, let’s focus on getting Caroline the help she needs. Whatever it takes.”

Sloan nodded. “Whatever it takes,” she repeated, then looked at Noah.

He was bent over, staring at the carpet. “Guess you got your wish,” he said, his voice low and cold. “An excuse to go to LeTourneau.”

Things weren’t the same between Sloan and Noah after that. He called less, came over less. Sloan wondered if he realized his coldness wasn’t making a good case for her to stay. But with the trial and college preparations, she had little time to concern herself with Noah’s fragile feelings.

She told him it helped their case to finish the admissions process for LeTourneau, and that she still had everything in line for MCC if she changed her mind, but she somehow knew she wouldn’t change her mind.

The court date was set quickly. After hearing the testimony, the judge ruled in favor of committing Caroline to a treatment facility for one year.

Caroline laughed when the verdict was read, further solidifying to the judge that he’d made the right decision. But the laughing ceased there. Anytime Sloan tried to visit her mother in the hospital, she’d only screamed.

After the third failed visit, Sloan sat in her bedroom, realizing it would be a long time before she’d ever speak to her mother again. Realizing that she and Noah wouldn’t last no matter where she went to college. His recent immaturity and selfishness were proof of that.

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