The Running Dream

Without the pain medications, Jessica goes through withdrawal. Her symptoms range from insomnia to nausea to hot and cold flashes. Above all, there is the pain. Jessica moans and cries, and when she sees her mother, she begs her to talk to her father: “They cut off my leg! Doesn’t he understand? It hurts” (59).

Despite how upset her mother is to see Jessica in pain, she stands by the decision, telling Jessica that narcotics are too addictive. She gives Jessica some Tylenol, but it has no impact on the level of pain Jessica is experiencing. Jessica is angry and hurt, and she feels “abandoned” (60), but she also admits that deep down, she knows her parents are right. 

Having worked through the withdrawal symptoms from the medications, Jessica beings to feel better physically but continues to suffer from depression. Only Fiona calls and stops by to visit. Kaylee and her friends don’t hang out at the house anymore. Despite her mother’s repeated efforts to get Jessica outside the house, she refuses every single time. However, she admits that her room has become stifling: she’s sick of watching television, and she can’t get interested in any of her mother’s true crime novels.