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We walked back out and to the waiting room where Vespyr was snacking on a Milky Way, with two other wrappers on her lap.

“All done?” Mama asked.

“Yes. Vespyr, this is for you,” Mrs. Irvine said, handing her the flyer.

She read what was written on it, then she held it close to her chest, hiding it from me. “Thank you.”

“So, I’d say we’ll make appointments for both of you. Twice a week would be a good number of visits, so we can work quickly but efficiently.”

We all walked over to the front desk, and while Mama talked to Mrs. Irvine about the appointments, I stepped closer to Vespyr and grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently.

“You feeling okay?”

“Yes, you?”

Her eyes were bright, and I could tell she’s had enough and wanted to go home.

It’s been a long afternoon just sitting and talking.

“I feel best when you’re next to me.”

She smiled at my words and interlocked her fingers with mine, and I leaned in to kiss her forehead, not caring who’d see.

“See you on Friday then,” Mrs. Irvine said, handing Mama two appointment reminder cards.

We said goodbye and left the building to get to Mama’s car, and once she was inside, I stopped Vespyr from opening the door.

“Show me,” I told her, nodding to the flyer she was holding.

She looked down, then slowly lifted it so I could read what was written on the front.

Schizophrenia.

I frowned, taking it out of her hand. “Did she diagnose you already?”

“No. She…thinks that’s what’s wrong with me.”

I looked back into her eyes, smiling to hopefully cheer her up a little. “It’ll be okay. Today wasn’t so bad, right? We’ll figure things out, sweet girl.”

She smiled back at me and nodded, then I gave her back the flyer and showed her the two Mrs. Irvine gave me.

“Bipolar. At least that’s one of the however many things that are wrong with me,” I said quietly.

Vespyr looked at the flyers, studying them closely before lifting her gaze again. “I know it’s hard for you, but I’m happy you’re doing this with me. And one day when we’re all better, we can start figuring out our future together. You and me.”

I didn’t have much hope about healing from something so complex and intense, but with her by my side, it felt like anything could happen.

“You and me,” I whispered. “Forever.”

42

Two months later

After weeks of talking to Mrs. Irvine, there were three things she diagnosed me with.

Bipolar.

Psychopathic.

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