The Rasner Effect by Mark Rosendorf Read Free Book Online Page B

do so. I’ve worked at this institution for many years. There was a time when the handling of these children was lax and informal. Believe me when I tell you they ran wild, like animals in a jungle.”
    “One very psychotic girl even managed to escape from the facility, but not before she killed a staff member.” Miller folded her hands on the desk, straightening her spine against the back of her seat. “That will not happen again—not while I am in charge.”
    “Wow, how long ago did this happen?” Rick asked.
    Miller gave Rick a nasty glare as the sound of a growl came from her throat. Apparently, his new director did not like to be asked questions.
    “I underst—”
    “Do not question my decisions… ever ,” Miller snarled. “Letters or phone calls regarding any of our patients must be approved by me. Am I understood?”
    “Yes, Ma’am.”
    “Good, then we should get along.” Miller reached for the phone and poked buttons. She stopped and glanced across the desk, looking surprised to see Rick still there.
    “You are dismissed.”
    Rick launched to his feet and made for the door, unable to get out of that office fast enough. In the main office, the secretary stopped typing and looked up from her computer screen. “So, how was it?” she asked with a sarcastic grin.
    “It was…interesting.”
    The secretary laughed. “I love watching new people after that first meeting. You all have that same ‘deer in the headlights’ look on your faces. Usually soon after that you quit.”
    Rick scurried past the secretary and out of the office.
    There was a commotion in front of the sixth and seventh grade classroom. It sounded like sobbing. Rick hurried over to investigate. Clara Blue sat on the floor, back against the wall, thin legs folded up to her chest. One arm was wrapped around the legs, the other braced itself on the floor, as if keeping her from tipping over. Officer James and Sharon Hefner stood over her. Clara stared straight ahead, stoned-faced. The only movement or sound was the sobbing that came from deep in her throat.
    Hefner had both feet planted on the tile floor and both hands on her hips. “You are not staying on the floor or in this hallway, girl. It’s back in your classroom or Seclusion, make a choice, right now!”
    Clara’s entire body shook. Her second arm snaked around to clench her legs. She teetered a second as if she might topple over, then caught her balance and glared up at her accusers. “I’m sick of Mister Royal. I’m sick of that classroom!”
    “Hey, you don’t like the classroom, that’s fine. We can do the padded room instead!” Officer James shouted. He maintained about the same stance as Hefner, but the walkie-talkie at his hip wiggled in reaction to his anger. For some reason, Rick found this comical. But the seriousness of the situation prevented laughter.
    “I’ll get the jacket and the doctor, and he’ll stick you in the ass.”
    The toe of Clara’s right sneaker tapped the floor, with quick feverish movements. Rick was overwhelmed with disbelief at her treatment.
    “I’m sure you don’t want to go in seclusion again,” Hefner had lowered her voice to explain in a calm, yet imposing manner. “But this is your classroom and that is where you belong, not here in the hallway!”
    “No!” Clara tried to yell, but it came out more like a whine.
    “I have really had enough of this.” Officer James reached down and grabbed Clara by the arm, yanking her to her feet. The big man put so much strength behind the move that her skinny body flew off the floor. At least two inches of space appeared between her sneakers and the cement. Once James let go, however, Clara plunked back down against the wall.
    Rick had to intervene. He approached Hefner, placing his hand on her arm to gain her attention. “Excuse me. May I take her? Maybe I can calm her down.”
    A flash of irritation crossed her face. Then she waved an arm at Clara. “You think you can fix this?