Chapter 38
I heard a key go into the lock and the door click. Dr. Bondi stepped inside my room.
“Hi, Katherine.” A warm smile crossed her lips.
“Hello, Dr. Bondi.”
“I was making rounds and thought I’d check on you. I brought you something.” She handed me a small brown bag with handles.
I reached inside the bag and pulled out a small sketchbook and a set of colored pencils.
“You said you wanted some art supplies. I’m still working on getting the easel and canvases,” she said.
“I already got them.” I pointed to the painting on the easel.
She walked over and studied it. “I had no idea you were such a good artist.”
“I didn’t paint that,” I said.
She turned and looked at me. “No?”
I slowly shook my head. “I was tired, so I took a nap. When I woke up, it was there.”
She took a step closer to the painting and leaned over, noticing a small signature in the bottom right corner.
“Katherine, who’s Sydney?”
“She’s a middle.”
The following day I had another session with Dr. Bondi.
“Have a seat and get comfortable.” Dr. Bondi smiled. “How did you sleep last night?”
“Fine, I guess.”
“Any word from the others?” she asked.
I slowly shook my head.
“Let’s talk about Sydney. The one who painted the cottage.”
“What about her?”
“I would like to try something today.”
“What kind of something?” I asked.
“I’d like to talk to Sydney.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. She’s not here.”
“Maybe.” Dr. Bondi softly smiled. “But maybe she’s listening. Are you okay with me trying to talk to her?
“I guess.” I played with my hands.
“Okay. Just relax. I want you to close your eyes and take in three deep breaths. Just focus on the sound of my voice.”
Dr. Isabella Bondi
“Sydney? My name is Dr. Isabella Bondi. We haven’t met yet, but I want to tell you something. I love your painting of the cottage. It feels so peaceful. You are truly an exceptional artist. If you’re listening, I’d really like to know why you painted it.”
Katherine remained on the couch with her eyes closed.
“I’ve never met an artist before,” I said.
Suddenly, Katherine’s poster shifted. She brought her legs up and sat crisscross. Her eyes opened.
“You really like it?” Her voice was lighter. Younger. Almost childlike.
“I do. I think it’s beautiful.”
A small smile crossed Katherine’s lips.
“Katherine was waking up, so I didn’t have time to make the hydrangeas the way I wanted them.”
“And how did you want them?” I asked.
“Bigger. They need to be bigger.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sydney. Can you tell me how old you are?”
“Eleven.”
“You’re very talented for an eleven-year-old. What made you paint the cottage?”
“So Katherine wouldn’t forget where home is,” she said.
“Does Katherine forget?”
“Sometimes she does.”
“Do you live in the cottage also?” I asked.
“Sometimes.” She smiled. “Please, Dr. Bondi. Don’t tell the other woman I came out. I’ve been hiding since she sent the others away.”
“She? Who’s ‘she,’ Sydney?”
“The bad lady who put the others to sleep. I ran and hid when I saw her talking to The Librarian.”
“Who is she?”
“I don’t know.” She lowered her head.
“Can you describe her to me?”
She shook her head and then closed her eyes. Katherine’s eyes opened.
“Did I fall asleep?” she asked.
“For a while.” I smiled. “I spoke to Sydney.”
“I see,” Katherine said. “What did she say?”
I didn’t want to frighten Katherine by telling her what Sydney had told me about the other female alter.”
“She told me she painted the cottage so you’d never forget where home is.”
“That was nice of her.” She fiddled with her hands.
“I think that wraps up our session for today.” I smiled. “You may go back to your room.”
The orderly walked in and escorted Katherine out of my office.
I walked over to my desk and sat down, grabbing the stack of files I had on Katherine Tate.
Sydney seemed very frightened when she mentioned the other alter.
She said she sent the others away. This was an alter Katherine had no idea existed.