Rain obscured the dark Georgia back road. Rita squinted as she drove the unfamiliar stolen truck. She had no choice but to meet this challenge head-on.
A man in a white coat, a hitchhiker, jumped in front of the truck. She slid while braking on the rainy road. Pulling the door handle and hitting the window, he shouted, “I need help. My car broke down”.
“Are you a doctor from the asylum?” escaped psychotic Rita asked.
“Right, the hospital. The escaped murderous scoundrel lied while chuckling inside.”
Two strangers, one rainy night, might be in for a gripping ride.
*****I wrote this story in April, 2015 for Mental Health Day in October. It was well-received. I often write about mental illness and the misunderstanding and consequences of the disease. This activism began after my grandson’s suicide.
Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain.Anyone suffering from depression will tell you, it’s not imaginary or “all in your head.” Depression is more than just feeling “down.” It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms. Click here to learn more …
Look at me You may think you see who I am But you’ll never know me Every day, it’s as if I play a part Now, I see If I wear a mask I can fool the world But I cannot fool my heart Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show Who am I inside? I am now in a world, where I have to hide my heart, And what I believe in But, somehow, I will show the world What’s inside my heart And be loved for who I am Who is that girl I see Staring straight back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don’t know? Must I pretend that I’m someone else all the time? When will my reflection show Who I am?
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*****These are song lyrics on an album by pop singer Christina Aguillera.
She sang the song ‘Reflections’ in the Disney film ‘Moulan’.