Part 7

Excerpt: " He was gone! His restraints broke, the window pulled all the way open."

Part VII.

For several weeks we were forced to keep McLauren cooped up in the confines of his room. We found he was growing tireless and restless. He would never cease in asking us about his wife, and about the world outside. Being that he is a commoner and not a rustic, he never had seen before the verdant life of nature. It was calling to him like a wild animal. McLauren was beginning to become almost delirious. I pleaded Fraunbach that we might allow him some exercise, yet the doctor reassured in the long run it would be to his benefit.

One morning, Fraunbach followed me into the patients room. As normal, McLauren was wide awake, his head turning every which way.

“ We have some good news for you McLauren.” A smile stretched across the doctor’s face, “ Your wife is in town, she is coming to see you tonight.”

McLauren’s mouth opened wide, “ M-my wife? S-susan? Oh, doctor, your bringing her here? I cannot wait.”

He failed to sit himself upright.

“ Yes, I supposed once wouldn’t hurt.”

I returned to the patients room, a few hours later. He was gone! His restraints broke, the window pulled all the way open.