Supermarket(55)

“Yes, that’s true. I cannot feel what you feel. But . . . I’ve seen this before in you. And I don’t want you to fall back into Frank’s grip. You are at a tipping point.”

“You know what, Dr. Cross? He isn’t real. And I know that, but it’s just difficult and sometimes . . . sometimes I think it’s hard for me to let that thought go. Because that feeling is all I’ve known for so long.”

“Frank isn’t real, Flynn. Frank is something your subconscious conjured up as a last resort to aid you in the completion of your novel. Now he’s taken on a life of his own. And now, you must let it go. You must let him go.”

“You’re right!” I said. “I will fight this thing, Olivia! I will let Frank go and let go of his power over me.”

“It won’t be easy,” she said.

“I know. But I have to give it my all.”

After our talk, I returned to the table I had been sitting at with Red. He asked me how the talk went, and I told him that when speaking to Olivia, I told her everything she needed to hear. I couldn’t tell her the truth. She just wouldn’t understand.

Instead, I pretended she was right. That I needed to let Frank go. But the truth? That hadn’t worked in the two years since my breakdown.

Red had been right. He gave me vital information that day under the tree—that day when he showed me the power of the mind. In order to destroy Frank, he had to be real.

He just had to be.





CHAPTER 16


THE LETTER


I sat on my bed, checking the clock.

2:30 p.m.

I stood up and began to pace.

2:35.

I did push-ups. I never did push-ups.

2:40.

I ate a stick of gum and turned the wrapper into an origami swan.

2:45.

I couldn’t take it anymore, so I left my room and walked around the place. I still didn’t know what I was gonna say. And what would she say?

I slowly walked toward the entrance of the facility, where Mia would arrive. I started getting nervous. Maybe I shouldn’t greet her at the door? Too weird, I told myself. Too needy.

Instead, I walked back to my room.

2:50.

I’d been cooped up in this place so long, constantly obsessing over Frank and regaining my life . . . I needed a break. And Mia was the only thing I wanted. Deep down, I knew she was a huge reason why I was fighting. Because even if I did get my sanity back, get my world back . . . what’s the world without anyone to share it with?

3:00.

She would be here any minute now. I couldn’t contain myself.

3:05.

Running a little late, but it was okay. I just couldn’t wait to see her.

3:10.

I started throwing my red rubber ball against the wall of my room.

3:15 . . .

“Traffic. Has to be traffic,” I said out loud, the ball bouncing off the wall in front of me. As I extended my hand to catch it, Frank intercepted the catch.

“Traffic in the middle of the day?” he said. “Unlikely.”

“What are you doing here, Frank?”

“I’m doing my part, man. I’m being the only real friend you’ve ever had. You let this bitch get between us from day one, man.”

“Don’t call her that!” I shouted.

“Jesus Christ, bro! Sorry, damn.”

“Please leave! You can’t be here when she shows up,” I said, snatching the ball from his hand.

“Jesus, you’re fuckin’ rude!”

“Well, excuse me if I’m not laying down the red carpet for the guy who ruined my fuckin’ life.”

“Look, man,” Frank said. “Whether you want to believe this, I’m your only friend.” He leaned against the wall with a James Dean swagger.

“That’s not true . . . I . . . I’ve got Red!”

“Haha, that old man is feeding you bullshit. You can’t trust anybody here. You’re in a fucking insane asylum, Flynn. Nothing is as it seems.”

“Well, it seems like you need to get the fuck out of here before Mia shows up!”

“She’s not showing up, man!”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Frank and I looked at each other, then back at the door. The handle turned, and the door slowly opened. It felt as though it were taking an eternity, like there was someone on the other side who didn’t want to come in but felt compelled to.

And then there she was, standing in front of me.

I felt a number of emotions. But the strongest one? Anger. Not at her, but at the situation. I knew deep in my heart why she had come here.

All I wanted was Mia. All I wanted was someone to escape into, to love. And instead of the woman I wanted to see, here stood Dr. Cross.

“I’m sorry, Flynn, but—”

“She isn’t coming, is she?” I interrupted, then turned around to sit on the bed. As I did, I noticed Frank had gone.

“She . . . she left this for you,” said Dr. Cross, walking toward me with a note in her hand.

She sat on the bed next to me, her hands in her lap gripping the piece of paper.

“She said she was sorry. She thought she was ready to see you. But she, well . . . she didn’t want to open up just to have you slip away again. She couldn’t bear to . . .” Olivia sighed. “Well, I’m sure everything you need to know is in this note.”