by Al Lacy
“I assume it’s no longer called Bedlam because the patients are treated much better now,” Dottie said.
“It’s the best facility for the mentally disturbed in the world, as far as I’m concerned. They taught me so many good things that I’ve put into practice here, or am planning to put into practice as soon as possible.”
The tour continued, and the sight of blank-eyed patients drooling on themselves or talking to themselves in meaningless phrases almost made Dottie sick. She couldn’t bear the thought of admitting Jerrod there.
The second hall consisted of wards instead of cells. The wards contained those patients whose families or estates could not afford to pay half the cost of a semi-private cell.
Dottie was jittery as they turned the corner to begin the tour of the final hall, which was lined with cells that held one person each. Pads were attached to the walls to a height of seven feet, and the floors were padded from wall to wall. These inmates were dangerous and had to be isolated from all others. The wails and screams were louder here and more frequent. Dr. Carroll eased up to the first door on the right and motioned for Dottie to draw near.
“You won’t have to worry about anyone reaching for you in this hall,” he said. “They’re all in chains.”
Dottie moved up beside Dr. Carroll and peered through the small window. What she saw made her skin crawl. A man about Jerrod’s age was kneeling on the padded floor, eyes glistening with amusement as he clamped his hands around the throat of an imaginary victim. His wrists were shackled with chains linked to a steel ring imbedded in the wall at the rear of the cell. The chains gave off a metallic rattle as the man shook his imaginary victim and hissed through his teeth.
Dottie turned away, throwing her hands to her face, and gasped, “Dr. Carroll, I don’t need to see any more.”
Dr. Carroll put an arm around her, then thought better of it. “All right. I’ll have one of the attendants walk you back to the office.”
They were just turning to leave when there was a loud bang at the end of the hall, followed by a scream. The door of the last cell on the left flew open. A wild-eyed man bolted into the hall with an attendant on his heels. Two more attendants burst through the lobby doors and ran down the hall.
Dottie stood mesmerized. The escapee’s face had an expression of mindless rage as he ran from his pursuer emitting harsh, animal-like cries. The attendant chasing the madman tackled him, and it took only seconds for the three men to subdue him and carry him back toward his cell.
“Sometimes an attendant will get careless and try to work with the patients without chaining them,” Dr. Carroll said. “Too dangerous. I don’t think that young man will make that mistake again.”
Dr. Carroll ushered Dottie toward the double doors. When they reached the lobby, he looked into her eyes and asked, “You all right?”
“Yes,” she nodded, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Just a bit unnerved.” She took a deep breath and said, “Those attendants are to be commended for the way they handled that poor man. I could tell they were being as gentle as possible.”
“I’ve drilled it into them that the patients must be treated humanely. We have to remind ourselves that though sometimes they act like beasts, they are human beings. It does get a little touchy now and then. Sometimes for the safety of the patients, as well as that of the workers, the wild ones have to be dealt with firmly.”
Dr. Carroll could see that Dottie was troubled. “This has upset you, Mrs. Harper,” he said softly. “I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have let you see the place.”
“Oh, no. It’s best that I did see it. I know now that I could never let Jerrod be admitted here.”
“But Mrs. Harper, you and the children are in danger. Can’t you see that?”
“Yes, but … but I love my husband, Doctor, as much as a wife can love her husband. I just couldn’t let him come here. And I’m afraid. Afraid that if I get him to come to see you for the sedative treatment, you might see that he’s admitted by force.”
Carroll sighed. “Mrs. Harper, am I understanding correctly? Are you going to go to San Bruno and tell Sheriff Donner to release your husband? Are you going to go back to the same old thing?”
“Well, I—”
“Please, listen to me. If you can’t bring yourself to leave Jerrod locked up, and you won’t make him come to me, at least leave him in that jail long enough to pack up your children and go back to Kansas. Certainly you have family back there who would take you in, don’t you?”
“You mean leave Jerrod and go back to Kansas?”
“Well, if that’s too far, isn’t there somewhere you and the children can go where you’ll be safe?”
“Dr. Carroll, I took a vow when I married Jerrod to stay with him till death parts us. My vows are sacred to me. I can’t just go off and leave him!” Tears filmed Dottie’s eyes and her lower lip quivered. A sob forced its way from her throat. “It isn’t Jerrod’s fault that he’s this way. The real Jerrod is a kind, good man who loves me and loves his children.”
“Mrs. Harper, I understand about Jerrod. I also understand about you. He has a wounded mind, yes, but you have a wounded heart. You’re carrying much more than you should. You’ve endured this pain longer than any wife should have to. You must do something to protect yourself and your children.”
Dottie was quiet for some time as she wiped away her tears. Finally, she said, “All right, I’ll go to the jail. If Jerrod will promise to come see you, I’ll have Sheriff Donner release him.”
“And if he won’t promise?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I’ll be praying that he will promise, but you have to promise me that you won’t try to put him in the asylum.”
“All right,” the doctor said reluctantly, “but only if I see improvement. If not—”
“You will see improvement, Doctor. I’m sure of it. I must go now.”
“I’ll have one of the attendants walk you to your wagon.”
“That’s not necessary,” she said, smiling thinly. “I can make it all right.”
“I have a staff meeting in just a few minutes or I’d walk you myself,” he said, moving along with her as she headed for the door. Dottie stepped onto the boardwalk and told him he would hear from her by tomorrow.
Dr. Matthew Carroll stood and watched her walk away. He admired her resolve to stick by her marriage vows and love her husband with everything that was in her. His heart went out to her. She bore a load few women would hold up under.
12
DEPUTY MYRON HALL looked up from the sheriff’s desk and smiled as Dottie Harper came through the door. He thought she looked awfully tired as he rose to his feet and said warmly, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Harper.”
“Good afternoon, Deputy,” she said, trying to smile. “I’ve come to talk to Jerrod about putting himself under Dr. Carroll’s care. If he’ll agree to see the doctor—which I’m sure he will—I’ll take him with me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am, but I don’t have the authority to release him. Only Sheriff Donner can do that. He won’t be back until quite late this afternoon. Five o’clock, at least.”
“I see,” she said. “Well … first things first. I’ll go ahead and talk to Jerrod about it, then come back at five.”
“Sure, ma’am.” The deputy nodded and moved toward the door to the cell block. “There’s another prisoner in here now. In the cell right next to Jerrod’s.”
“Oh?”
“Yes’m. As a matter of fact, we had ’em both in the same cell till I decided to change things.”
“And what made you decide to change?”
“It was your preacher, ma’am.”
“My preacher?”
“Yes’m. He was here this mornin’ to see your husband, and while he was visitin’ him, the other prisoner caused a little trouble. The reverend told me about it when he come out. Said it looked like Jerrod was gonna mop up the floor with him, so he suggested I move th
e other guy into another cell. The reverend was afraid Jerrod might lose control and hurt the man real bad. I think he didn’t want Jerrod in any more trouble than he’s already in.”
“I appreciate that,” she said.
“Anyway, ma’am, you won’t have any privacy back there … that’s the point I was tryin’ to make.”
“Thank you, Deputy. I guess it doesn’t make any difference if the other man hears me talking to my husband.”
Myron allowed Dottie to pass through the door first, then moved past her and led her down the narrow corridor. Jerrod was on his feet at the bars when they entered the cell block.
Marty Tillman was in cell number two, sitting on the cot with his back against the wall. His face carried its usual dour expression. He watched as Dottie rushed to her husband and kissed him through the bars.
“Stay as long as you want, Mrs. Harper,” Hall said. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
“Thank you,” she said, then turned and reached through the bars to grasp Jerrod’s hands with her own. “I understand Reverend Yates was here.”
“Yeah,” nodded Jerrod. “Was mighty nice of him to come.”
“So what did he say?”
“Not a whole lot of talk, honey. He read the Bible to me, and we had prayer together.”
“He didn’t talk to you about … your problem?”
“Well, I suppose he did a little.”
Tillman left the cot and walked to the bars that separated the two cells. “Excuse me, crazy man. Tell your missus there what the holy man said. You know …’ bout how important it is that you see that brain doctor. What’s ’is name? Carroll, or somep’n like that.”
“Mind your own business, Tillman!” Jerrod snapped.
Tillman shrugged and tilted his head to the side. “Just thought your missus should know that the holy man thinks you got a bolt loose an’ you need it tightened.”
Jerrod stepped up to the bars that separated them and said, “When I want your advice, I’ll ask you. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut!”
“My, my! Testy today, ain’t we? I just thought—”
“I don’t care what you think! Leave us alone!”
“I’d love to, pal, but they won’t let me outta here.”
Jerrod burned Tillman with flaming eyes until the outlaw turned and went back to his cot. Dottie was frightened when she saw the look in Jerrod’s eyes. She reached through the bars and took his hands again.
“Jerrod, listen to me. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you very, very much.”
He seemed to look right through her for a few seconds, then the fierceness and the fire began to diminish. She repeated her words of love and felt the tension go out of his hands and arms.
Jerrod swallowed hard, worked at calming himself, and said, “I love you too, Dottie. You’re the best wife a man ever had.”
“Then why’d ya put them bruises on her pertty face?” Tillman said. “You’d think a man as lucky as you’d treat his woman like a lady!”
Jerrod whipped his head around as though stung by a hot iron. “I feel bad enough about what I did to her. I don’t need the likes of you shootin’ off your mouth.”
Tillman chuckled and said, “And just what’re you gonna do about it?”
“Jerrod!” Dottie cried, squeezing his hands. “Ignore him! Please, honey, look at me!”
Jerrod’s features were trembling as he brought his head back around and looked into her eyes.
“Don’t give in!” she said. “I love you, Jerrod! Tell me you love me.”
Jerrod’s muscular frame trembled as he fought his other self. He gripped Dottie’s hands so hard she thought he would crush them.
“Say it, darling! Say it!”
Jerrod’s lips quivered, but he choked out, “I love you.”
“Jerrod, do you really love me? With all your heart?”
“Of course,” he said, nodding slowly. “You know that.”
She licked her lips nervously. “All right, then. I’m going to ask you to do something because you love me.” Dottie freed one hand and reached up to stroke Jerrod’s bearded cheek. “Darling, I went to see Dr. Carroll this morning. He says he can treat you if you’ll come into his office on a regular basis. He’ll put you on sedatives that’ll help you not become so violent when … when the spells come on you.”
“That’s not all he’ll do, Dottie. He’ll lock me up in that asylum.”
“No, honey. We discussed that. He promised me it would just be visits in his office.”
“But I don’t want to be treated like I’m crazy.”
“You’re not going to be treated like you’re crazy. I explained what happened to you in the War. Dr. Carroll understands. He can help you.”
“I can’t do it!”
“Jerrod, listen to me. You love James and Molly Kate, don’t you? I know you do. Remember how terrible you felt when you beat James the other day? What would you do if some other man had done that to your son?”
Jerrod’s eyes went wide at the thought.
“Was it you who beat James or was it the other Jerrod, the one inside you?”
“It was him … the other Jerrod.”
“Then why don’t you beat the other Jerrod by letting Dr. Carroll help you?”
While this thought was sinking in, Dottie said, “Sheriff Donner will only release you upon my say so.”
“He can’t hold me more’n a day or two unless Reverend Yates presses charges.”
“He can if I go before one of the county judges and say I fear for our safety if you’re released. The judge could confine you here indefinitely, Jerrod.”
“But … you wouldn’t leave me locked up in here!”
Dottie cleared her throat and moved back from the bars a step. “Jerrod, I cannot subject James and Molly Kate to the fear of being beaten by you any longer. I see the terror in their little faces. I’m their mother, and I must protect them. If you won’t promise to go to Dr. Carroll with me, I’ll have to ask a judge to keep you locked up. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Tears filmed Jerrod’s eyes. “Yes. I understand. Dottie …”
“Yes, darling?”
“Tell Sheriff Donner I’ll go see this Dr. Carroll.”
“That’s a promise?”
“That’s a promise.”
“Oh, Jerrod!” she exclaimed, rushing back to him and kissing him through the bars. “Thank you!” She raised her eyes heavenward and said, “And thank You, Lord!”
“Go tell the sheriff, honey,” Jerrod said, smiling. “Let’s go home. I’ll see Dr. Carroll today, if he has time.”
“Sheriff Donner isn’t here right now,” Dottie said. “He won’t be back till about five o’clock, and Deputy Hall can’t release you. I’ll drive back into San Francisco and set up an appointment with Dr. Carroll for tomorrow. Then I’ll be back here at five so you can be released.”
“All right,” Jerrod said.
They kissed through the bars again, and Dottie hurried to the office. “I’ll be back at five o’clock,” she said to Myron Hall. “In case I’m a little late, don’t let Sheriff Donner leave again. I want to get Jerrod out today.”
Hall cleared his throat nervously and said, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but Sheriff Donner just sent a message to me by wire from San José. He won’t be back until morning.”
“Oh, no. Well, I guess there’s nothing we can do about that. I’ll go back and tell Jerrod I’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
Jerrod had just sat down on his cot when he heard Dottie’s footsteps once again. He stood and went to the bars. “Back already?” he said with a smile. “What time’s the appointment?”
Dottie smiled broader than she had in a long time, then explained that the sheriff wouldn’t return until morning. She would be back then to get Jerrod and take him to San Francisco.
Dottie went away for the second time, and Jerrod returned to his cot and sat down. The stench of a cigarette met his nostrils. Jerro
d glowered at Tillman, but said nothing.
Tillman rose from his bunk and moved toward the bars between them. “You oughtta be ashamed of yourself, Harper,” he said. “Those are some mean lookin’ bruises you put on her. Somebody bigger than you oughtta take you out behind the barn and beat you till there’s nothin’ left. I’ve robbed banks and stagecoaches, but I’ve never hurt a lady.”
“Shut up, Tillman!” Jerrod said.
“Such a sweet little lady. I’d like to horsewhip you myself!”
“I told you to shut up!” Jerrod yelled, leaping to his feet and pressing his face to the bars.
Tillman stayed out of reach. “You know what? Dottie oughtta divorce you and find a man who’ll love her and treat her right.”
Jerrod gripped the bars till his knuckles turned white. Then, slowly, he lowered his head and began to weep. Tillman took another step closer.
“You don’t understand!” Jerrod sobbed. “The War … it did somethin’ bad to my mind. It’s like another person lives inside me. An evil person. Sometimes he takes control of me, and I can’t help what I do. I can’t help it!”
“You’re a stinkin’ liar, Harper! You just use that shell shock stuff as an excuse to beat up on people and get away with it! You’re a bully, that’s what you are!” He took another step forward and blew smoke in Jerrod’s face. “I hope your wife comes to her senses, leaves you in here, and divorces you! That’s what you deserve!” He drew on the cigarette and leaned close to exhale again in Jerrod’s face.
Jerrod shot both hands through the bars and seized Tillman by the shirt. Surprise widened the outlaw’s eyes, and the cigarette fell from his mouth, tumbling to the floor in a shower of tiny sparks. There was a flame in Jerrod’s eyes. His lips pulled back into a wicked smile.
“Look, Jerrod,” Tillman stammered, “I … I didn’t mean it! I was only joking! I—”
“You’re the liar, Tillman! You meant every word of it! So you like to blow smoke in people’s faces, eh? Maybe I need to rearrange your face a little!”