Ruby (Landry 1)

benches glittered in the warm, afternoon sunlight "It's very nice out here," I reluctantly admitted

to Lyle.

"They've got to keep it nice. Everyone here

comes from a wealthy family. They want to be sure

the money continues to flow into the institution. You

should see this place when they schedule one of their fetes for the families of patients. Every inch is spickand-span, not a weed, not a speck of dust, and not a

face without a smile," he said, smirking.

"You sound very critical of them, Lyle, yet you

want to stay. Why don't you think about trying life on

the outside again? You're much brighter than most

boys I've met," I said. He blanched but looked away. "I'm not ready yet," he replied. "But I can tell

just from the short time I've been with you that you

definitely don't belong here."

"I've got another session scheduled with Dr.

Cheryl. He's going to find a way to keep me. I just

know it," I moaned. "Daphne gives this place too

much money for him not to do what she wants." I

embraced myself and looked down as we walked

along. Around us and even behind us, the attendants

watched.

"You go ask to go to the bathroom," Lyle

suddenly said. "It's right off the rear entrance. They

won't bother you. To the left of the rest room is a

short stairway which goes down to the basement. The

second door on the right is the laundry room. They've

already done their laundry work for today. They do it

in the morning. So there won't be anyone there." "Are you sure?"

"I told you, I've been here ten years. I know

which clocks run slow and which run fast, what door

hinges squeak, and where there are windows without