Strangers ‘Til Now ~ Jareth/Sarah
The psychiatric hospital wasn’t quite what Sarah had expected. But then again, she’d never been inside one before. Most of her knowledge came from movies... which she doubted was very accurate.
Sarah was pulled from her thoughts by a man who appeared to be in his late 50′s walking towards her with a smile. “I’m Dr. Roche. We’re so glad you could make it! All of the staff are so very excited! So many local celebrities have come out to support the kick-off of what we hope will be a successful venture.” He extended a hand, which Sarah accepted with a smile of her own.
“Thank you. It was an honor to be asked. And what you’re doing is wonderful,” she replied following the man as he began to lead her down a hallway. “I think this is something that could really help to remove some of the stigmas so many people seem to associate with psychiatric hospitals.”
“That’s our hope, as well,” he replied, beaming at her. “Please, right this way. Everyone involved is currently in the cafeteria. The presentation will start shortly out on the lawn, and the media’s already here. So please feel free to chat and mingle with our other guests.”
Nodding, Sarah allowed herself to be led into the cafeteria. It really was amazing - all of the work that had gone into this. Local celebrities or not, she saw people whose autographs she wouldn’t mind having - other authors, actors, musicians, singers. They’d really gone all out! The big ‘to-do’ was the announcement of the hospital’s new volunteer program. It was open to almost anyone, and the goal was to encourage literacy and reading amoung their patients, both young and old. Volunteers would come several days a week and read to various patients for an hour or two at a time.
As the presentation started, she couldn’t help but be excited to be a part of everything. Sarah was certain that she was the most recent ‘celebrity’ they’d invited, but felt so very honored to be included. Who would’ve ever thought that first book about her experiences in the Labyrinth would take her so far! Before she knew it, it was her turn to get up and give a short speech about how honored she was to be there and how she hoped this was a program the hospital was able to continue for many years to come.
Afterwards, once the presentation had concluded, it was time for the real reason they were there. The patients. Dr. Roche had gone to great lengths to make sure that every eligible patient had a volunteer... and even greater lengths to make sure the ‘celebrity’ readers had patients who wouldn't mind being in the media’s spotlight. Then they were all ushered off to rooms to meet the patient they’d be reading to.
In Sarah’s case, she was taken to a room with two young girls, probably no older than ten. It was wonderful reading to them, and by the time her hour was up, she’d already promised to return next week so that they could continue with the story. How could she not? Even if it had been someone else’s book she’d been reading, she would’ve been more than happy to come back.
It was as the author was leaving that she saw him... sitting outside on a stone bench, in a small, enclosed garden. Sarah froze. It couldn’t be! And maybe... maybe it wasn’t... Because this wasn’t the Jareth she remembered. This man was so very pale, and anorexically thin... he looked as if all the light had just been sucked out of him.
“Everything alright, Ms. Williams?”
She jumped and turned to see Dr. Roche standing behind her. “I, yes... yes I had a wonderful time. And I’d like to become an official volunteer with your program, if that’s alright...?”
“But of course! We’d be happy to have you back. Would you like the same patients you had today?”
Sarah nodded and smiled. “I would, yes. Thank you. Also...” She turned to look back out into the garden. “Is that patient on the list to be read to...?” As she looked back, Roche frowned slightly.
“He was... yes. But we couldn’t convince him to stay still... kept wandering off.”
Sarah held up her book. “Could I try? And if it works... could I come and visit him, too?”
Dr. Roche gave her a supportive smile. “Of course you can, Ms Williams. I wish you luck. Our Mr. Doe has had a hard time of things. If you can cheer him up, then we’d all be grateful to see it happen.”
“Thank you,” Sarah replied... and then she made her way out into the garden. “I... I hope you don’t mind me intruding...” She said to the man as she approached. “Dr. Roche said it would be alright if I spoke to you for awhile?”