I Am Perfect

I Am Perfect

Author: Shane Slosar

"Turn left in a quarter mile, and the destination is on your right," the GPS says as

you cruise through the wooded hills of Massachusetts. You're sitting in the back seat of

your parents' Volvo, fidgeting with your nails.

"Well, it's a pretty area," your mom offers from the front seat.

"I wouldn't want to be committed anywhere else," you chime back.

"Actually, you're pretty lucky, it's the best place in the country. We could have

saved a college tuition and sent you to a state hospital."

"Lucky... that's exactly how I'm feeling right now. 19 and committed to a luny bin."

you hug your legs into your chest. "Shit. I should have shaved before we left, I bet they

won't let me have a razor."

"No... but also I don't think you need to worry about it. This isn't summer camp,

and I doubt you'll meet anyone," your dad responds.

You think about it for a minute. "Okay, fair enough."

"You won't be there forever you know," your mom says. "It's just until you're safe

again. I can always stay at home and monitor you for safety, but then we'd need to have

you seeing the psychiatrist daily for meds, and you wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere

alone, and I'd have to see about the time off from work..."

"No, mom, it's okay. I can't ask you to do that. Besides, I mean it can't be that

bad..." you say as you pull up to the facility. The tall, Victorian buildings loom over the

campus and remind you of your college; two places you don't want to be.

"They should have a sign that says 'watch for jumpers'," your dad laughs.

You laugh. "Yeah, or like 'don't hit patients (that's what they...