“Do you know who took care of the grounds after
you stopped, Mr. Jacobs?” Claire asked in a softer tone than she had
previously.
“I don’t,” Henry replied.
“She had friends though?” Claire continued.
“Not really. She had one or two over the years,
but they never stuck around long. With Adelaide rarely leaving the asylum, they’d
come to her. Once in a while, a garden tea is nice, but when you realize that garden
is outside of an asylum full of crazy people that you often hear screaming
while you chat on a bench, it doesn’t quite hold the same appeal.” A Henry
shared this, it felt to Claire as though he felt this was something she should know,
and he shouldn’t need to tell her.
“Adelaide did care for the flower gardens and
treat patients though?” Ryan asked as he stood up. He wanted them to start
making their way to the door. They had intruded enough.
“She did. As the years went on, she spent less
and less time in her gardens and more and more time treating patients. I think
it made her crazy.” Henry looked puzzled. “Tell me, do the two of you think
crazy can be contagious? I mean, if you work with it, analyze it, at with it,
drink with it, sleep with it…” Henry’s voice trailed off.
“She really never left?”” Ryan was surprised.
“Very, very seldom. She would even have the
cooks bring in the groceries. Her accountant paid the bills. The housekeepers
picked up new linens, clothes, and other needs.”
They were now back at the door. Ryan and Claire
thanked Henry for the chat and for allowing them to intrude.
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