Page 52 of The Book Doctor
“You’re a writer.”
Was.
“Maybe you could write your story.”
No.
“Maybe Liam could write it then?”
I don’t know what Liam can do. He’s capable of anything. I don’t write this. He won’t understand. They never do.
Instead, I only type one more word. But it’s enough. Eve.
“You want me to tell you about Eve?” he asks.
Yes. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. I know enough but they never tell me anything new.
“Eve is in another facility across town.”
He means another hospital, but they never say this. Eve is in the state hospital. I hear it’s worse than this one.
She’s sick and she hates people, I type out. This is the worst thing that could happen.
“It’s not the worst, though, is it?”
I don’t know what he means.
“You murdered a lot of people over many years, George.”
No matter how many times I tell them it was Liam, they never listen. Sometimes he visits me here, but they say I’m lying about that too.
“Has anyone ever explained dissociative identity disorder to you, Mr. Dawson?”
They have, of course. There’s no point in wasting my energy typing that out, so I just stare at him. Even a nod would be too much to manage.
“Dissociative identity disorder, previously called multiple personality disorder, is usually a reaction to trauma, as a way to help a person avoid bad memories. It is generally characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality identities. Each may have a unique name, personal history, and characteristics.”
I know this. The treatment is talk therapy, which is why I’m sitting here.
“You held your wife against her will for years.”
I don’t know why he is saying any of this.
Maybe I am dreaming. Maybe I am dead.
Eve is sick, I summon the energy to type this out.
“I can’t speak to Eve’s health. I’m here to talk about yours.”
He shifts in his chair. I hope the clock has run out. I have a good book that needs getting back to. “I’d like to study you, George. Maybe your story could help other people.”
Where is Liam? Is he dead?
“You tell me.”
I don’t know.
“You’re a very successful storyteller, Mr. Dawson. You also committed horrific crimes. I would like to learn about them.”