Dr. AB Ce: Mr. Free (his attorney) is trying to get him out and back to his group home. I am trying to verify what he told me. Do you know his diagnosis?
Jenny: Yes, childhood schizophrenia. He heard voices, mainly Jackie Turner, a race car driver, played off as an imaginary friend. Our mother covered up everything. We only found out the official diagnosis after she died.
Jenny: (holding back tears) Benjy’s caseworker told my dad and me the extent of Benjy’s disabilities. We sat in stunned disbelief. I talked to my mom every day. She never mentioned it. Dad kept saying Are you SURE you didn’t know?
In a whisper, she never said anything.
Jenny: Shortly after that meeting, Benjy went into the system. There was nothing in River Town. Capital City is more progressive. You know the slogan … keep Capital City strange.
Dr. AB Ce: (laughing) We are very bongos. Anything else? Besides schizophrenia? How are his faculties? Has he ever sustained a brain injury?
Jenny: Hmm Let’s see. He can’t read or write. He was hit by a bus. Knocked him out of his shoes. He had a concussion. His hip was never the same. He was always very clumsy. He had special shoes and leg braces as a kid.
Jenny: (continuing) I think his birth mother was a drug addict or alcoholic. My aunt said as much and Mom quit talking to her. He didn’t walk until well past two. Did I mention the corrective shoes? I am sorry I’m repeating myself.
Dr. AB Ce: Wait! He’s adopted? Hold on Jenny.
Jenny doesn’t hear Benjy, but she knows he is there. She hears Aww, that’s okay, don’t worry. You’re doing fine.
Dr. AB Ce: He just told me he’s sorry he forgot he was adopted.
