optioning up a mental illness

I'm in town to buy a new car
have been negotiating price for days
finally signed the papers
but I can't escape yet

it is mandatory to sit through a show and tell
of optional extras
tinting
paint protection
mats for the floor

I want none of them and am happy
to make small conversation
for a few minutes

a car
after all
is just a car

carla is from sales
says

you work in psychiatry
do you

I can't deny it

my son has schizophrenia
has had it for years
used to be in the hospital they closed
you know the one

indeed I do
I helped to close it

it was terrible what they did to them
threw half of them out onto the street
lousy care
hopeless follow-up
just lousy

it wasn't right

should I mention that
what actually happened was ...

perhaps not

yes
they were shocking
they had my boy on such strong medication
that his head hung on one side
tongue sticking out
drooling

he had that dyskinesia thing they get
but I told them not to reduce the dose
he needed all of it
I couldn't cope with him otherwise

the new drugs are much better
aren't they
he's on the clozaril now
still shakes a bit with the tremor
but he can talk and laugh
make connections

he's doing really well

the new medications have been a revolution
I agree with her

am wondering if I should
perhaps
suggest that I might be interested
in tinted windows after all
could she show me ...

I made him leave home a couple of years ago
look
it isn't that i didn't want him home
but what if something happens to me

I'm not young anymore
and I just thought to myself
he needs to be able to survive on his own

don't you think

yes
that's the right way to think
independence in the long term
is the only way

are there some brand-name mats available

I'm really proud of him
he's done well

now
were you interested in any of these options
what about tinting
floor mats perhaps ...

no
not really

lovely talking

I have to go

goodbye

thank you

~