Chapter 6

           ThedayafterChristmas,thewriterdroveupthelong,curvingroadtotheAthensMentalHealthCenterforhissecondinterviewwithBillyMilligan.HehadthefeelingBillywouldbedepressedafterhavingspenttheholidayinthehospital.

           ThewriterhadlearnedthattheweekbeforeChristmas,BillyhadpressuredDr.Caultobeallowedtospendtheholidaywithhisfamilyat’hissistershouseinLogan,Ohio.Caultoldhimitwastoosoon—justovertwoweekssincehe’darrived.ButBillyinsisted.OtherpatientsatAITwereallowedtogohomeonbrieffurloughs.Ifwhathisdoctorsaidabouttreatinghimliketheotherpatientswastrue,thenheshouldtrytogetpermissionforhimtodothesame.

           Knowinghispatientwastestinghim,andrealizinghowimportantitwastogainBilly’strustandconfidence,Caulagreedtomaketherequest.Hewascertainitwouldbeturneddown.

           ItcreatedafurorattheAdultParoleAuthority,atthestateDepartmentofMentalHealth,andattheprosecutor’sofficeinColumbus.WhenYavitchphonedGarySchweickartandaskedwhatthehellwasgoingonoutthereinAthens,Garysaidhewouldtrytofindout."ButI’mnothisattorneyanymore,"headded.

           "Well,I’dcallhisdoctorinAthensifIwereyou,"Yavitchsaid,"andtellthemtocoolit.