“I’m going to have to get a bit technical about this,” I said, “so if it gets too complicated...”
“I love complicated things,” Sarah said.
“Okay, this is from the ‘Guardianship’ chapter in the Florida Statutes — the section titled ‘Termination.’ ”
“That sounds so final,” Sarah said. “Termination.”
“That’s what we’re looking for,” I said. “Termination. An end to all this.”
She squeezed my hand. “And a beginning,” she said.
“What I want to explain is the procedure for... well, what it’s called is ‘restoration to mental or physical competency.’ ”
“Yes, Matthew,” she said, and suddenly she became quite serious, her head turned toward me as we walked, her eyes alert and searching.
“Section 4 of Chapter 744.464 states: ‘Any relative, spouse, or friend of an incompetent’ — I consider myself your friend, Sarah — ‘may petition in the county where the person was adjudged incompetent — or where the person is living on the date of the petition — to determine whether he is still incompetent and unable to manage his affairs.’ I’ve already filed such a petition with the Circuit Court. I have a copy here if you’d like to look at it. The important language in it is: ‘Wherefore, this petition requests that an examination be made as to the mental and physical condition, or both, of the said Sarah Whittaker as provided by law, and that an order be entered determining the mental and physical competency of said person.’ You could have petitioned on your own behalf, Sarah, but I think it carries more weight signed by the required three citizens of the state.’“
“Who did sign it?” Sarah asked.
“I did. And my partner, Frank Summerville. And an associate named Karl Jennings.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“I expect to have an order summoning examination within the next several days. Which brings us to another section of that same chapter. Section 1(a) states: ‘When a person has been declared incompetent and is hospitalized at a treatment facility’ — Knott’s Retreat is a treatment facility, of course — ‘and becomes capable of managing his own affairs, he may be issued a certificate of competency signed by three members of the medical staff at the treatment facility—’ ”
“Forget it,” Sarah said. “You’d never get any of the shrinks here to sign such a thing. Not with Cyclops in control.”
“I realize that,” I said. “Which brings us to section 1(b). Are you listening?”
“Please,” she said, and gave a small nod.
“Section 1(b) says: ‘A certificate of competency may also be issued at a designated receiving facility upon the recommendation of two members of the medical staff and a third responsible person.’ ”
“A receiving facility would be someplace like Good Samaritan,” Sarah said.
“Yes, the Dingley Wing.”
“They thought I was nuts, too.”
“There are other receiving facilities in Calusa County,” I said.
“Go on,” Sarah said. She was watching me intently now. We had, in fact, stopped walking. Out on the lake, a fish jumped.
“I’ve asked the court to specify an examining committee at Southern Medical, the Arlberg Receiving Facility there.”
“You mean I won’t have to be examined here? Or at Good Samaritan?”
“Not if the court orders a committee at Southern Medical.”
“But will it? The court?”
“Judge Latham — to whom I petitioned — is a fair and honest man. I think he’ll recognize the need for an unprejudiced examination.”
“Cyclops’ll never let me out of here. Not for a minute.”
“I’ve already spoken to Dr. Pearson about having you removed temporarily to Southern Medical — if that’s what the court orders.”
“And he refused, of course.”
“On the contrary. He seemed positive that independent observation and examination would only confirm the findings here at Knott’s Retreat.”
“That I’m totally bananas.”
“That’s his belief.”
“He actually said I could leave here?”
“If the court so orders. And in the presence of an attendant, of course.”
“Jake?”
“He didn’t specify which attendant.”
“To go to Southern Medical? In town?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe it. When is this supposed to happen?”
“As soon as I get the court’s response. Next week sometime, I’d guess.”
“How long will I be there? At Southern Medical?”
“For however long it takes to determine your status.”
“Whether or not I’m ‘mentally competent,’ you mean.”
“Yes. you’re not worried about that, are you?”
“No, but I’m suspicious. Will Cyclops be there?”
“I doubt it. Why would that matter, Sarah?”
“Because then he’ll be able to spread his poison, you see.”
“His poison?”
“he’ll tell them I’m crazy.”
“I’m sure the court would want an examination totally free of prior judgment.”
“What does that mean? No records from Knott’s?”
“Well, I don’t know about that.”
“Will Jake be with me while I’m there?”
“we’re not even sure it’ll be Jake who—”
“Whoever — Brunhilde, Ilse. Will an attendant from Knott’s be with me all the while I’m at Southern Medical?”
“I don’t see why anyone would have to remain with you. The examining physicians—”
“God, Matthew, suppose they decide I am nuts?”
“I hardly think that will be the case.”
“But... suppose?”
“We’ll worry about that if it happens. I’m sure—”
“God, I’ll be in here forever!”
“I feel certain they’ll find you competent,” I said.
“Hoo, listen to the big psychiatrist,” Sarah said, and smiled. “What then? Suppose they do decide in my favor?”
“Upon issuance of a certificate of competency, it’ll be sent to the court where you were originally found incompetent.”
“Oh shit, Judge Mason again.”
“Not necessarily. The statute doesn’t specify a particular judge, only the court. In this case, the Circuit Court.”
“Because he’s in my mother’s pocket, you know. That’s how I got in here to begin with. Because of Mason.”
“Well... in any event, there’ll be a hearing to determine competency, and if the court finds you quote of sound mind and capable of managing your own affairs, you shall be immediately restored to your personal liberty unquote.”
“Amen,” Sarah said. “How do I get there? To Southern Medical? In a padded ambulance or something?”
“I’ll pick you up,” I said. “The attendant will be with us, of course. I’ll have to rent a bigger car. The Karmann Ghia’s got only that little back seat, not even a seat, really.”
“Is that what you drive? A Karmann Ghia? Do you realize how little I know about you? You know everything there is to know about me—”
“Hardly,” I said.
“Tell me about yourself, Matthew. you’re not married, are you? God, I’ll kill myself if you’re married. Tell me all about yourself.”
We sat on the closest bench and looked out over the lake, holding hands like lovers, though Jake was never very far away, and I started to tell her “all about myself.” And because she’d asked me if I was married, the first thing I told her was that I was now divorced. She wanted to know all about my former wife — was she a nice person, had I loved her very much, what color was her hair, how tall was she, was she very beautiful, did I call her Susan or Sue or Suzie — and then she asked which one of us had wanted the divorce. So I told her all about my affair with Agatha Hemmings, the passion of my life, or so I’d thought at the time...