“Nope. I don’t go for many walks.” He took the mug away from her and refilled it with more imaginary liquid.
Ruth watched him, her heart breaking. “You’re sure you don’t remember me? Ruth Apter?”
He shook his head no and looked apologetic, like a child who knew he had done something wrong.
“It’s all right. I’m sure you see lots and lots of people in this hospital. It is a busy place.”
“Yes, very busy. Lots of people. That’s why I stay here. More?” He handed her the cup again.
Ruth heard the noise of the last few dishes being cleared from the dining tables, and then a nurse approached them. “Mrs. Apter, what brings you to us today?”
“Hello, Nurse Pauline. I came to visit with some of my old friends. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them.” She smiled at Albert and then stood. “Albert, thank you so much for the delicious tea. If it’s all right, I would love to come back and have some more another day.”
“Sure,” he said flatly.
“Nurse, may I have a word?”
“Of course, Mrs. Apter. Albert, gather your things, I’ll take you back to your room when I’m finished with Mrs. Apter, okay?” He nodded.
Ruth walked to the door of the dining hall, out of Albert’s earshot. “What happened to him?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Nurse Pauline looked at her blankly.
“Did he have a recent breakdown? He seems to have deteriorated significantly since I last saw him.”
“Really? He seems the same to me. Same as he’s been for years.”
“Years?” Ruth realized it really had been years since she had visited Albert.
“Gentle as a lamb. Could spend all day every day with that teapot. We all do miss the piano, though. Tried to get him to play, but he just bangs on the keys like a child. It’s a shame. But I suppose that’s what happens.”
“That’s what happens?”
“Sure, most of the people who stay in here after are like this. Sometimes we joke that our job is more like baby nursing than taking care of adults.” Pauline smiled as Ruth looked at her in shock. This was nothing like the reports she received from Robert about his lobotomies. Yes, she knew many patients remained at the hospital who hadn’t been cured as entirely as they had hoped, but like this? Albert Burdell’s personality was obliterated entirely.
“Is there anything else I can help you with, Mrs. Apter? I do want to get Albert back for a little rest. He tends to get quite fussy without enough sleep.” She smiled. “See what I mean? Like a baby.”
“No, no, nothing more. Thank you, Pauline. Keep up the good work. You are a gift to these patients.”
Ruth immediately made her way back to her office in a stupor, feeling entirely unmoored. This wasn’t how lobotomy was supposed to work. What had gone wrong?
Once in her office, she took out a pad and began to write a list. When she got to thirty names, she picked up the phone.
“Mr. Mandrake, I hope I didn’t interrupt you in the middle of something,” she said apologetically as her assistant superintendent entered her office.
“Not at all, Mrs. Apter. Was just some paperwork that can wait. What can I help you with?”
Ruth paused, looking at the list on her desk before taking in the man sitting before her. He was dressed, as always, in a sports coat and slacks, his tie complementing the muted palette of browns and beiges he favored. His personality matched his style—even-tempered, diligent, and thorough. He was a good man. In the several years he had worked for Ruth, he had always treated her with complete deference and respect, in spite of the fact that she knew it must be difficult for a man in their field to have a female superior. She believed him to be someone of strong moral character who genuinely cared for the hospital’s patients, entirely unlike the scoundrel who had held the position before him. Still, she was nervous to ask him for what she needed today.