Intrusive thoughts-
No, they're not. I know where they're coming from-
Bridget, please. As in Bridget, please stop interrupting me for once so I can get this looked after and go back to my crises of self.
Hallucinations-
No, they're not. He's actually out there. I can SHOW him to you if you-
BRIDGE.
Ignoring the elephant girl gets you a trip to the edge of the circus fence.
This isn't a circus-
Like hell it's not.
But Caleb is back to doing damage control, Asher is back in charge of my every move, what I wear, where I am when I fall asleep and what I eat and Lochlan as always is being blamed for not sounding the alarm fast enough even though I've been ringing the bell for three days now. I'll tell you every way short of sky-writing and Lochlan chooses that exact moment to only find the good, to only have optimism for the future-nay, the moment.
God, I love him so for that.
It's fine. He's fine. He doesn't cause any problems out there. (I mean Jacob, not Loch.)
What is he doing, exactly?
Waiting. For me.
Well, what does he do while he waits? (I've been waiting for them to acknowledge him as a person all this time. My heart sings as it spiderwebs into cracks.)
Reads his bible. Talks to God. Walks the rows. Helps things grow. Tries to be as helpful and inconspicuous as possible. He's patient. He doesn't want for much.
What does he do when you come out and see him?
Talks to me.
About?
Things to watch out for. He can see things we can't. People's true nature. The future. The present. The past. All of it. He sees our weaknesses and our problems from an objective viewpoint.
The idea of Jake being objective when it comes to you-
He has patience even for me now.
What if..what if you asked him to leave.
He won't go.
Did he say this?
No, it's just the way it is. My brain wants him to go but my heart won't let him. And the heart is always more powerful than the mind. It just keeps him here.
What if you weren't here? Would he leave?
No, he would wait. I told you.
Maybe we should go talk to him.
Maybe you need to not enable her and this bullsh-
Cale. Shh. Bridget, what do you think we should do?
At least acknowledge that he's here. Ignoring someone is rude.
Asher looks pale. I think I'm over my head here, guys. Maybe you all are too-
Just keep doing what you're doing. She's fine. We just keep a close eye.
Shouldn't this be transferred to professionals at this point?
Tried that. Tried everything. This is where we are now. Keeping her happy and making sure she doesn't become disoriented or distressed.
Wow, you talk so cold. Like I'm not even here.
Bridget, please.
I guess we've come full circle today. I don't have much else for you today. Jacob is still a little shy about Asher. Asher, to his credit, is scared shitless.