Nikki Doble

Mrs. Stronach
EWC 4UI
February 17, 2017

Three in One
Callie ran into the hospital elevator full tilt. She wasnt going to be late again, not for the

third time this week. Her brother would kill her. Just as the doors were about to shut, a little boy

about 9 years old ran into the elevator.

Have you seen my mommy? he asked. The boy is holding his knit blanket in between

his fingers, pushing them through the man made holes all over the blanket. His short black hair

sat comfortably buzzed on the top of his hair.

What? No I havent seen your mother. Shes not in here so you should get out and -

just as Callie was about to finish her sentence the elevator door closed and she was alone with

this young kid in a tight, small space. I guess youre staying with me until we get to the bottom

floor.

Do you know where my mommy is?

No, I really dont. Im sorry but once we get to the ground floor you can go to the main

desk and ask them where your mother is. Im running late and I cant come with you. Im sure

youll find her with some help from the nurses. Callie pressed the ground floor button on the

elevator impatiently over and over again. Not like it would make the elevator move any faster.

The numbers on the wall started counting down. 7. 6. 5. 4. All of a sudden, the numbers started

speeding up, changing their order around. 4. 6. 7. 2. 8Until the elevator stopped and all the

power shut down except for the emergency lights. Callie started pushing every button on the

elevator wall that she could trying to make something happen.

Youve got to be kidding me. Callie rested her head against the cool wall and pressed

the emergency call button. Hello? Is anyone there? Were stuck in the elevator. No reply.

Hello? Is anyone there? Were stuck and we cant get out of here! No reply.
 Are we going to die? The little boy asked.

What? No! You need to calm down. Were not going to die. Whats your name kid?

Maverick Wellington. But my friends like to call me Mavie.

Okay Mavie, Callie paused. how old are you?

Well, Im 9, but Mr. Paul is 20 and Miss. Stephanie is 13.

Okay, I didnt ask about whoever those people are but fine. Are you scared? Youre not

claustrophobic are you? Callie sat down on the carpeted elevator floor beside Maverick and

sighed. My name is Callie by the way.

My name is Maverick.

I know, you like to be called Mavie.

Who told you that? Was it Mr. Paul? Silly Mr. Paul. Maverick sat down and started

hitting his heels on the elevator floor, making a small tapping sound.

Callie looked over at Maverick and watched him play with his feet. Whats wrong with

this kid? So where did you lose your mother?

We were in the basement, and she left me in my room to play with my car. Maverick

pulled a Hot Wheels car out of his pant pocket and held it up right to his nose. Vroom Vroom!

Callie stood back up and tried pressing the emergency button again. My brother is

going to kill me if Im late again. We were supposed to go on one of our last walks together at

1:00. I cant believe Im going to lose this opportunity because of this stupid elevator! she said

while kicking the metallic wall.

You need to press and hold the emergency button and then speak, not just press it and

release. Maverick stood up and adjusted his shirt so it tucked into his jeans. His voice

deepened.

Mavie, what did you just say?

I said you need to press and hold the button, like this. He pushed Callie to the side, her

curly long brown hair going into her eyes. Hello? Were not too sure where the elevator has
decided to break down, but a lady and I have unfortunately ceased our journey to the ground

floor.

What the hell Callie backed into the corner, placing her hair back into place while

Maverick talked to someone through the speaker.

Thank you very much well be waiting here. Maverick dusted off his shirt again and

straightened out his pink shoe laces. Callie is it? he asked, walking over to where Callie was

standing. My name is Paul. He held out his hand motioning for a handshake.

Callies big blue eyes widen, she reached for his tiny hand and shook it. What was going

on? A few minutes ago this was a cute little 9 year old boy looking for his mother, and now she

was shaking hands with Maverick, but he was calling himself Paul and his voice was a lot

deeper than before. What do you mean you name is Paul? Youre Maverick. She ran her hand

awkwardly through her hair, twisting her fingers through it at the bottom. Arent you?

Well, Paul started. My name is Paul. Maverick would most likely have mention me as

Mr. Paul. He told you about me, no?

Callie stared blankly. He said that there was a 20-year-old guy named Mr. Paul, and a

13-year-old girl named Stephanie when I asked him how old he was.

Exactly, there are 3 of us so far. You can call me Paul. Mr. Paul is what I tell Maverick to

call me since he is a younger lad. But I assume youre in your twenties as well. Paul sat back

down and rested his head on his knees waiting for Callie response. Oh my god! he cried.

Whats wrong? If that was even a valid question to explain this situation.

Maverick stained his pants! I told him to stop eating peanut butter and jam sandwiches

in his good clothes. Thats 9-year-olds for you.

Callie sat beside Paul in awe. So there are three people here. Maverick, Paul, and

whoever Stephanie is. Maverick is a nice, innocent 9-year-old, and Paul is some sophisticated

20-year-old. Who was Stephanie? Why was he in the basement? So Paul, she started. Where

is Mavericks mother?
 Give me a second please. Paul closed his eyes for a few moments and came back

calm. I had to request some private time before we could talk about Mavericks mother.

Why?

Shes institutionalised down stairs. The psych ward as most ignorant people refer to it

as. Her and Maverick moved in a few months ago when she was diagnosed with paranoid

schizophrenia. Thats when I came. Shes constantly in and out of their room so he looks for her

often when shes gone.

What do you mean thats when you came? You werent always here? Callie asked,

extremely confused.

No, I came when Maverick started getting in trouble for leaving his toys everywhere and

throwing tantrums whenever his mother left for her group counselling sessions, or whenever she

left in general. He needed someone to control those emotions and keep everything clean and

organized. I guess you could say that I have OCD. Paul smiled to himself and re-tied his pink

shoelaces and placed the bows neatly on either side of his shoe.

Callie sat in silence gathering her thoughts, almost completely forgetting about her

brother who would be sitting downstairs in his wheelchair waiting for her. Okay, so how long did

they say it would take for someone to come and get us out of here?

About an hour and a half, could be longer.

No, shit it cant take that long I need to get out of here and get to my brother.

Please do not swear my dear, it makes you come across a little trashy. Paul closed his

eyes and leaned his head against the elevator wall. Its been awhile since Ive had a little quiet

time and I would prefer to keep it, clean, if you will. he folded his hands and rested them gently

on his lap.

Sorry.

Its fine.
 I just really didnt want to disappoint my brother again. Hes been through so much and

all he wanted was one last walk outside the hospital before - Callie trailed off.

Before what? Paul sat up and put his hand on Callies knee in attempts to comfort her.

He has distant stage liver cancer. He doesnt have much time left. Callies eyes started

to tear up. Wiping them she continued, I wanted to bad to be there for him. Im such a horrible

sister.

Youre not a horrible sister Callie. Youre stuck in a dark elevator. Theres nothing you

can do about it.

I know but Im always late, and now Im going to miss this time all together! Ugh shit.

No swearing.

Sorry.

They sat in silence for some time. Callie calmed herself down by playing with her hair

and started looking for some food or gum in her purse. Paul sat with his eyes closed,

occasionally looking around the elevator nonchalantly. He noticed every speck of dirt on the

carpeted floor they sat on, and shifted back and forth uncomfortably.

Yes! Callie pulled a chocolate bar out of her purse. Oh my god toblerone! Paul do you

want some?

Ew. Im like, crazy lactose intolerant.

Stephanie?

Yeah, whats it to you? Are we in an elevator? How long have we been in here for? How

long are we going to be in here for? Im like, crazy claustrophobic, this really isnt going to go

well. Stephanie put her head between her knees and started breathing heavily.

Callie was now stuck in a small elevator with a claustrophobic, hormonal teenager. You

okay? Paul said it should only take about an hour and a half and its been, Callie checked her

watch, just over an hour. It should be anytime now. She is already getting annoying.

Im gonna throw up. her high, squeaky voice muffled in her knees.
 Please dont get it on your pants, Paul is already mad at Maverick for getting a stain on

them. What was she doing? Callie found herself feeling bad for Maverick and Paul for having to

deal with Stephanie all the time. She wondered how this whole thing worked. Was there a little

table in their mind that brought them all together and they discussed when each person came

out? Or did it just happen randomly? How did Paul request private time? There must be

something to keep them all organized.

What do you think I am, Maverick? Gross. The only reason Im here right now is

because Pauly thought that you and I could relate better. But looking at your outfit choice, I dont

think we can be friends.

Did Paul find Callie annoying? That kind of hurt her, but why does she care? Shes

talking to a 9-year-old boy with a bunch of people talking through his body. She read about this

once in one of the hospital magazines. Dissociative Identity Disorder. One main person with

their own personality, but they also have, in Mavericks case, 2 other unique personalities as

well.

Do you like, ever speak? Stephanie laid down on her back and started counting the

tiles on the ceiling.

I thought you said we couldnt be friends.

Girl, oh my god I was just kidding!

Oh, I see. Good to know. Callie rubbed her temples in pain. She felt a migraine coming.

Just what she needs.

Are you like, okay or nah? Stephanie sat up and crossed her legs. I like your hair. Its

a really pretty brown. Do you have highlights? She leaned over and grabbed a chunk of Callies

hair, twisting her fingers around and around playing with her.

Yeah I have blond highlights. Thanks. You and Maverick do the same things with your

fingers. When he came in here he was playing with his blanket and twisting his fingers through

the holes.
 Yeah, him and I are pretty similar if you want to compare us to Pauly. Mavie and I like to

have fun when were around. For Mavie its wandering around looking for his mother, who by the

way has been moved to her own room so she doesnt hurt Mavie. For me, I like to read fashion

magazines. Sometimes some of the nurses let me come with them after their shifts to the mall

across the street and window shop. Theyre pretty nice to all of us here. Youre the first person

who weve talked to really that doesnt like, work at the hospital since we came here a few

months ago. I miss my friends.

Im sorry to hear that. What do you do with your friends? Callie sat up a bit straighter

and leaned in closer to Stephanie.

Oh, I only talk to them online. Ive never met any of them because Im here for Maverick

first before myself. Stephanie looked down and played with her fingers.

I know Paul came to help Maverick stay organized, when did you come?

I came before Pauly did. Maverick was having a hard time making friends in school, so I

came to help him bond with some girls and maybe make a few friends.

See you have friends! Callie smiled sympathetically and ran her hand through

Stephanies hair.

No, Mavie has friends. They dont know who I am. If they did, Mavie would like, get

made fun of for being weird. Him and I have an understanding. Im the secret one. Stephanie

shook her head up in down in reassurance.

I can be your friend if you want me to be.

Really? Stephanie smiled. Do you really mean it? Youll call me Stephanie and

everything? And we can like, do nails and hair and all that?

Sure, whatever you want to do. Maybe I could talk to the nurses downstairs and see if I

could come and see you sometime. Sometimes you need to let your pride go and understand

that everyone was different. Maverick just had a few different personalities that were different.
 Oh my god I would like, really love that! Stephanie started rambling on about all the

things that they could do together. From doing hair and nails to having sleep overs and watching

movies, Stephanie kept coming up with new fun things, when she suddenly came to a stop.

Pauly wants to talk to you. It was really nice meeting you Callie. I really hope we can get

together soon. There was no warning to their change. Stephanie was gone as soon as Paul

could arrive. There was no sign, the only difference was a wiping smile and an adjustment of the

shirt. Definitely Paul.

Callie.

Hey Paul. Stephanie is pretty cute. She reminds me of when I was her age.

Yes, shes a blast. But I may need to remind you that we are stuck in an elevator and

you and I both need to get out of here. I have places to be. Paul stood up and walked to the

emergency button and pressed it again. Hello? We are still stuck in here and we would adore it

if we could get out. As he finished his sentence, the power in the elevator turned back on and

they were on their way to the ground floor. There you have it.

Callie got to her feet and stood feet above Paul. You know, you really dont sound like

you should be in a 9-year-olds body.

I feel that way too sometimes. But Stephanie and I have an understanding with

Maverick.

Whats that?

Were here for him and no other reason. Paul seemed disappointed.

Where do you have to go? Callie asked in efforts to change the subject.

Mavericks mother has died. We needed to be downstairs a half hour ago to make sure

we received a ride from one of the nurses to the funeral home.

Sh - sorry. I mean Im so sorry. I know how scary it is to lose someone. Both my parents

have passed. And now Im losing my brother. Im so sorry Paul. Im sure the nurse is waiting for

you just downstairs.

 Its not me that Im worried about. Im worried about Maverick. I dont know how to deal

with loss, and I dont think I could bring myself to tell Maverick or Stephanie.

They dont know yet? Paul you have to tell them! Youre going to the funeral you cant

just surprise them like that! Thats so mean! Cruel even! Theyre just kids. Callie started pacing

back and forth throughout the elevator.

Relax Callie. All of your walking is making me dizzy. Im telling them in the car.

Oh my god. Before they could finish their conversation, the elevator doors opened and

firefighters and hospital staff surrounded the opening. Paul can I have a hug?

Before he could respond, Callie wrapped her arms around his little body and held onto

him for a moment that felt too long for Paul. Thank you Callie. I assume I will see you soon in

the means of your visiting Stephanie.

And you too. I consider you my friend as well Paul. Besides, maybe youll help me stop

swearing. Callie looked into Pauls eyes and saw a hint of happiness. Ill see you soon. Good

luck with the funeral. Tell Maverick I wish him well. Same with Stephanie.

Thank you friend. Good luck with your brother. We wish you well.

Paul stepped out of the elevator and ran childishly into the arms of one of the nurses

waiting. Callie walked towards her brother who was still waiting by one of the bay windows in

the visitors area. Hey Bryan. Im so sorry I was stuck in the elevator for so long Im so sorry.

Its fine Callie. They told me that someone was stuck in the elevator and I assumed it

was you. Was anyone with you?

Callie smiled to herself. Yeah, there was 3 of us.