A Nut Upstairs

Bree shifted uncomfortably on the car’s seat, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and her mother, Nary Marsden, the classically beautiful cold woman sitting next to her in the expensive car that they rode.

She sat down with her back arched and her legs crossed not minding her daughter who was obviously uncomfortable. The black gown and hat that she wore matched perfectly with her personality. There was definitely no wrinkle and to everyone, she looked too young for her age.

Bree was figuratively hugging the door at the moment. Sharing the same space as the extremely cold woman next to her wasn't something that she does frequently. It has been years since she last rode with her mother in the same car. Normally, they would go separately.

The car has been moving for the past hour thirty minutes thirty seconds without stopping. Yes, Bree has been counting. She couldn't help but wonder where on earth they were heading.

“Mo…mother, can we stop for a while, I feel si..sick.”

The woman’s head snapped to her and the moment their eyes met, Bree’s heart skipped a bit. She quickly averted her gaze and looked downward, downcasted. No reply came from Nary and she returned to the position she was in. As Bree sat in the backseat of the car, she felt her heart beating fast. She felt like her mother was up to no good this time.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a building. From the inside of the car, her eyes grew wide when she saw what was written on the signpost. ‘Psychiatric Hospital. A home for the mentally unstable patients.’

“Get out,” she flinched when she heard her mother's orders as the car’s door was opened by the driver for them.

They walked into the hospital together, Nary’s heels clicking on the tarred floor. The offensive smell of the hospital caused Bree to be nauseous. Was her Mother finally getting help? Did she realize that she wasn't acting normal like every other mother? Bree’s heartbeat increased in excitement at the thought. Finally, she would get help and treat her better.

As they got to the receptionist, the staff members bowed in respect and the woman at the desk handed Bree a paper.

“Here, sign this.”

Bree nodded in agreement as the paper was passed to her. She was sure that it was a stand-in paper and nothing serious. Her excitement took over. She signed it without reading and handed it back to the lady.

“Mother, it's a good th…thing that you are deciding to get he..help here. I'm sure after everything, we’ll be fine again,” still afraid to look into her eyes, she stuttered.

She shivered in fear as Nary walked closer to her, almost peeing her panties when her hands fell on her head only to pat it soothingly.

“No dear. I'm not the one seeking help. I've always been normal but you? You’ve got a loose nut. You're the one who’ll get help from these people. Look at them, they are so eager to receive you. Don't worry, they'll treat you well.”

“What?”

Bree's legs shook hearing her mother’s words. Her head turned to look at the hospital staff members and was struck by how wicked and unsympathetic they came off. Turning backward, her eyes fell on the patients who were peeking from their rooms and giggling at her. They were horrible-looking. She held her breath to stop herself from throwing up.

“You heard me, child. Be a good girl and get help here. When you're out, I'll take you shopping and buy you goodies, okay?”

“No…no, Mother. I'm fine. I'm normal. I don't need help, I promise you. Pl..Please let's get out of here.”

“Mommy says you need help,” her voice raised. “You've not been listening to Mommy these past few weeks. You've been talking back at Mommy and I'm sure a nut upstairs fell. They will help you fix the nut, okay? Mommy always tells you that good children listen to their Mother and do as they are told. You want to be good, right?”

Bree’s tears streamed down her cheek. Although Nary had informed her that she would be punished soon and although she always picks the cruelest punishment for her, she never imagined that this would be her punishment. This was worse than anything she had ever experienced.

“I did all that you said. I put that tablet in gra…grandfather’s drink, I broke his wheelchair, I stole that file from uncle’s room, and worst, I…I chased away Helen and Iris because you ordered me to. I'm 20, I should be able to make my own decisions. That's what everyone says.

Nary burst out laughing. The nurses shivered at her laughter.

“That was not because I ordered. It was only right that you do so,” Nary replied strongly, her British accent kicking in. She walked around her daughter whispering words in her ears.

“Helen and Iris? They were too pretty for you, honey and you know that. You know deep inside you that Mommy is always right, that's why you chased them away. They were trying to make you rebellious.” Bree scrunched her face in disgust as Nary’s hands fell on her face again. She patted her all over and looked at her in a way that one would think it was love. Bree had once mistaken that look too. “As for decisions, when you signed that paper a few minutes back, you made a decision. Dear, beautiful people should stay around beautiful people, and the same for unattractive people. Your friends were too pretty for our liking.”

Bree nodded. She sobbed remembering how she had believed this statement since she was a little girl and yet again, she believed it. Her head automatically nodded in agreement. It has always been like that. She always ends up caving into her mother’s wishes. She can't help it.

She wasn't as beautiful as other girls out there, she was good for nothing, and she was bad luck to everyone who loved her, especially Spencer. Those words keep ringing in her ears every day and night.

But overall, she couldn't bear the thought of staying in a psychiatric hospital so she fell at her mother’s feet as she was taught to do and pleaded.

“I…I’ll do anything you ask of me, Mother. I'll be good. Please don't leave me here. I'm scared. Mother, please.”