My mother's mouth drops. 'Emmy...don't say those things Emmy. Remember, we don't talk about those things.'
'Yes Mom. I remember. That's why I'm here, looking like this.'
An orderly knocks on the door and announces that visiting time is over.
My mother and I look at each other awkwardly, and hug.
'I love you,' she says.
'I love you too, Mom.'
'You aren't telling them too much are you?' she asks, afraid.
I sign. 'No Mommy, I'm not.'
She's visibly relieved. She leaves the room.
The orderley comes back and escorts me back into the main room.
I just sit and laugh to myself."
(after Emmy's suicide attempt) ~ The Finer Points of Becoming Machine
