Read Online Free as a Bird by Gina McMurchy-Barber - Free Book Online

cause I knowed I wasn’t a widget … even if he said so.
    After eatin my cold porridge an warm milk an prunes — it mus have been Monday, cause we only got prunes on Mondays — Millie took me to the day room to wait. I watched a lady win a new car on The Price Is Right . She was so happy bout it she started jumpin round an huggin Bob Barker right there on the TV. That made me laugh, cause I was feelin like that too an wanted to jump up an down an hug somebody. That’s when Susan came over an sat nex to me. She held my hand tight. Maybe she did that cause she missed me as much as I missed her.
    Millie came into the day room a liddle later with a grey-haired lady. I never seen that lady before, but she made me think of Gramma. She had a grey button-up sweater that matched her hair, an shoes Mom use to call “all business.” But what I liked best bout her was them liddle eyes — they was laughin an sparklin all at once.
    â€œRuby Jean, this is Mrs. Gentry. She’s come to take you to the training house.” I looked up at the smilin lady. Then I leaned over to see hind Millie — to see where Grace was at.
    Jus then Millie put a leash on my wrist. “Ruby Jean’s had some behaviour problems lately, but she should be okay now … we hope.” I got hot in the face when Millie said that. “She was acting out, attacking staff, so we sedated her to keep her under control. But she likes going to the training house, so I don’t expect her to give you any trouble. Just in case, though, when she’s outside this building she’s to wear this leash at all times. Do you understand?” Mrs. Gentry nodded an took the end of the leash from Millie. That’s when Millie looked at her up close. “When I called for a new life-skills worker for Ruby Jean, I was expecting someone … well, frankly, someone younger. Are you sure you can handle this?”
    Mrs. Gentry laughed. “Not to worry, my dear, not to worry.”
    â€œWell, Ruby Jean can be a quite a handful — aggressive, uncooperative — like that,” Millie said. “And if she doesn’t want to do something, you can talk till you’re blue in the face and she still won’t comply. Believe me, I’ve tried. And if that temper of hers flares — be careful.” I got even more hot in the face after Millie said that. “You let me know if she gives you any trouble.”
    â€œThank you, Nurse, for your concern. What I’ve discovered is there’s always a way to reach people. We just need to be patient, kind, and find the key that unlocks their hearts and minds.”
    Millie laughed an said, “Whatever. Just don’t let her get away from you. There’s no telling what she might do. Don’t get me wrong, but if you ask me giving Ruby Jean the idea she’s got what it takes to live on the outside … it’s a pipe dream. But, hey, at least it keeps her happy and off the ward — so knock yourself out.” Jus then Jillian started peein in the corner. “See what I mean? They’re like animals. Jillian, you bad girl!”
    Mrs. Gentry turned to me an smiled. “Well, shall we go, my dear?”
    I followed Mrs. Gentry to the locked door. I was glad to be goin to the liddle brown house, but I dint feel much like stompin my feet down the echo stairs. I jus followed along quietly. I sure dint like wearin that leash neither. Made me feel like a dog bein walked round the block — made my arm sore too. As we walked Mrs. Gentry dint chatter away like Grace used to. But she sure did smile an hum a lot.
    When we got to the liddle brown house I wondered if it would smell like fresh bread inside or if there were flowers in the vase, or if the teakettle was waitin by the stove, or if Grace was there. But there was no smell of bread or flowers an no Grace. Soon’s we was inside Mrs. Gentry took the leash off my wrist an dropped it on