“Larry, can I tell the group something?” Isabel says, after clearing her throat at the end of what will be her last group session.
“Sure, Isabel,” Larry says, knowing what Isabel is going to announce. “You’ve got the floor.”
Isabel inhales deeply and exhales.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Across the room Regina softly moans. Sukanya stares into space. No one speaks.
“I wanted to tell you all because I know firsthand how it feels when someone doesn’t say goodbye and leaves abruptly,” she says, thinking of Lark. “It’s unsettling. And this is unsettling for me, too—saying goodbye to you. But I’d rather do it this way than just disappear.”
Silence.
Melanie is shaking her head.
Larry finally breaks the uncomfortable silence. “Does anyone want to say anything?”
“I knew it!” Melanie shouts. “I knew there was something more to your little room switch plan,” she says in a mocking voice.
“What are you talking about, Melanie?” Larry looks baffled.
“Melanie…” Isabel tries to soothe her.
“Don’t talk to me!” She will not be soothed. “For the rest of your time here, don’t talk to me!”
“But…” Isabel tries to interrupt Melanie’s melodramatic display.
“But, nothing,” she says. “Don’t talk to me.”
“Okay, all right,” Larry says, looking back and forth between Isabel and Melanie. “You two want to tell me what this is all about?”
“Isabel told me that I could switch rooms with her in the morning,” Melanie seethed. “I asked her point-blank why she would offer to do something like that for me and she said it was because we were friends. I knew there was another reason for it! I knew it! Now she’s leaving. Perfect. Just perfect.”
Melanie angrily folds her arms across her chest as if to say with body language, “that’s all I have to say about that.”
“Isabel?” Larry turns to her.
“Melanie, I’m sorry,” Isabel says. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth.”
“Why didn’t you?” Melanie asks, tears starting to roll down her face.
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. I wasn’t ready to say out loud that I’m leaving, maybe. Or maybe I just wanted you to think I was a nice person. I don’t know. But I’m sorry, Melanie.”
Isabel looks down.
“Isabel, I’m sure the rest of the group joins me in wishing you the best of luck when you leave here.” Larry is smiling at her warmly. “Can we all get together and give Isabel a send-off?”
One by one Ben, Regina and finally, somewhat begrudgingly, Melanie get up and stand on all sides of Isabel’s chair.
“Okay, guys. Let’s all take a moment of silence and think good thoughts for Isabel,” Larry says, his voice coming from behind the group.
Isabel looks back down to her lap. She jumps when she feels the first hand on her shoulder but is filled with a tremendous sense of calm as other hands rest on her shoulders and upper back.
I’m never going to see these people again. The thought is, this time, connected with sadness, not with hope.
Before each hand leaves she feels tiny squeezes of support. Isabel swallows back a lump forming in her throat.
“Goodbye, Isabel.” Larry’s quiet voice breaks the silence. “Good luck.”
When Isabel glances up she looks across the room directly into Sukanya’s eyes. For a brief second, Sukanya seems to be focused on her, not drifting off into space. When Isabel blinks, Sukanya does, too… and then slowly looks away. Isabel knows that is Sukanya saying goodbye.