Beneath the Innocence
by
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The window at the top of the door was hardly large enough for a person to see through. It was unbreakable; the type with diamond shaped wires inside. I stood on my tiptoes to get an accurate view of the room inside. Gazing through the window I expected to see the usual sad sight.
On most occasions I would see an ordinary face of a man or woman disheveled and withdrawn. This time was different. The patient was an adolescent girl, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old. Her hair was a muted golden color and her eyes were a piercing blue. She looked toward the window but could not see beyond the racing thoughts in her mind. She was completely disrobed, but all I could focus on was the confused and dazed look on her face. She looked rigid with fear and her eyes yearned for me to rescue her from a rapidly disintegrating innocence.
I could feel myself being drawn to this case more than any other in my short career. But why? Was it because she was beautiful and undressed or because she was so young to be in a psychiatric unit? Or was it only an unexplained mystique?
It was perplexing whether or not I should have my first encounter with a naked patient. I had never been faced with the situation before. Even if I chose to enter the room, what would I do? Would I make believe that her nudity was not at issue and begin to ask her the usual questions or risk alienation by asking her to put on clothes? I stared for another moment and turned around.
I could feel my anxiety surge. Jenny Pulaski, the charge nurse was looking at me with a slight smirk on her face.
"She was admitted last night, won't keep her clothes on, and is blatantly psychotic."
I was as speechless as a deaf mute. Jenny went into the room and immediately took a blanket and draped it over the patient lying on the bed.
I watched Jenny take control of the situation with awe. She was so comfortable and professional at the same time.
As Jenny approached the door I quickly turned from the window and walked about three steps to the side. I felt very naked myself. My heart was pounding from embarrassment. In order not to bring further attention to myself, I asked Jenny for the patient's chart. I could feel Jenny playing with me when she replied; "Don't you want to know what her name is?"
I managed to reply back, "Of course."
Her name is Connie McMann, and she's very pretty, isn't she?"
"I guess," as if I could conceal my allure.
I stood steadfast as Jenny retrieved the chart. For the first time I noticed Jenny's nametag on her navy blue uniform. It read Jenny Pulaski, R.N. Under the name was written Charge Nurse. The nametag seemed larger than life and I felt a sense of urgency to attain that same stature.
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About the Book
When a psychologist delves into the psychotic mind of a beautiful, fifteen-year-old girl he finds more than he wants to know. He travels the sea of psychosis and finds the mystiques of war, fear, international intrigue, murder, sex, and the most frightful of all, himself.
Neil Rubin, a bright, young psychologist accidentally discovers a small town with a secret that unveils the reality that in war there are no rules of order and no codes of ethics. He is absorbed in the discovery of the town's secret only to find out that the further he investigates "in the name of his patient" the further his life and other's become entrapped in a danger that could cause both physical and social death to himself, his family and the country he is so confused about.
Come visit the Viet Nam war era and discover what lays Beneath the Innocence of a teen-age farm-girl and the world she thought was "holy."
About the Author
Richard N. Weisberg has been a private practitioner for nearly twenty years in Laguna Niguel, California and remains licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in that state and is Board certified in Behavioral Medicine, Psychotherapy, and Clinical Social Work.
During his career, Dr. Weisberg has treated patients with various problems ranging from mild depression to serial killers. Dr. Weisberg has treated a myriad of schizophrenics and persons experiencing psychotic disorders.
Presently, living in semi-retirement on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, Weisberg lives with his wife of twenty-nine years, Elaine. He has two sons, Irik and Jody, who pursue their own dreams in Southern California, and visit "The Emerald of the Caribbean" as often as possible.
Besides playing golf, and snorkeling, Dr. Weisberg states, "Writing has always been my passion and always will. I challenge my creative mind to be as fantastic as possible without nearing the fine line that separates reality from insanity .Our life is like a dream, surrealistic, but when taken the time to analyze it, making perfect sense."