Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Therewasalongsilence,andDavidcameandwipedthetearsfromhiseyes.Seeingtheplantinthebrokenpotonthefloor,hewatchedit,knowingitwasdying.Ithurttoseeitlyingtherewithitsrootsexposed.Hecouldfeelitwitheringaway.

           NurseYaegercamebacktothedoorwithatrayoffood."AreyousureIcan’thelpyou?"

           Davidcringed."Areyougoingtoputmeinjailformurderingtheplant?"

           Shesetthetraydownandputherhandreassuringlyonhisshoulder."No,Billy.Nooneisgoingtoputyouinjail.We’regoingtotakecareofyouandmakeyoubetter."

           Dr.GeorgetooktimefromhisbusyscheduletoattendtheAmericanPsychiatricAssociationmeetinginAtlantaonMonday,May8.He’dseenMilliganthepreviousFridayandarrangedforhimtobeginintensivetherapy,whilehewasgone,withtheDirectorofPsychology,Dr.MarleneKocan.

           MarleneKocan,aNewYorker,wasamongthoseatHardingHospitalwhohadfromthebeginningdoubtedthediagnosisofmultiplepersonality,althoughsheneverexpressedthisopenly.ThenoneafternoonasshewastalkingtoAlleninheroffice,NurseDonnaEgargreetedher:"Hi,Marlene.How’veyoubeen?"

           Allenturnedinstantlyandblurtedout,"MarleneisthenameofTommy’sgirlfriend."

           Thatmoment,seeinghowspontaneoushisremarkwas,spokenwithnotimeforreflection,Dr.Kocandecidedhewasnotfaking.