the Kaufman Unit.four

She had barely finished the imitation rice pudding when Intern2 walked into the dining hall.
“Wonderful,” Hayden thought.

“Why don’t we talk about why you’re here.”
“Okay.”
Intern2 waited expectantly for Hayden to talk about “the incident”. Hayden waited silently for a question. She was tired of talking, now she required prodding.
“What happened Friday night that brought you to the ER?”
“My girlfriend was scared. She thought I overdosed.”
“Do you want to talk about what you took and why?”
“No.”
Intern2 stared. Perhaps she wouldn’t have been so taken aback if Hayden wasn’t so composed. She thought for a moment, then asked:
“When did you meet up with your friend?”
“My girlfriend.”
“Sorry, your girlfriend.”
“I could use the term partner if that would make you feel more comfortable.” Hayden raised an eyebrow. She was testing the water. Silence. Ten seconds. Twenty.
“Maybe we should do this later, when you feel more comfortable talking.”
“Sounds good.” Hayden exited the room, her right shoulder twitching. Composed, on what planet? She passed the half-door of the nurses’ station.
“Hi honey, how you feelin’? You look terrible,” the nurse walked toward the cabinet before Hayden could answer.
“Here why don’t you take an Ativan, there’s a group starting just down the hall in ten minutes if you feel up to it.” Hayden took the pill and water from NurseA without hesitance and went straight to her room. The coarse white sheets were calling her. It was, after all, acceptable to nap at anytime in the Kaufman Unit.