SATURDAY STORY, SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022

 SATURDAY STORY, SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022

For the past four weeks, we’ve been looking at Ned Morrison - an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse

*****

Good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster.  It was hard to find the source of the leak, but by Sunday afternoon, it was well known at both Viterbo College and UWL that there was a rape on Saturday night.  Lori Rohn and Zach Hill as EMTs found and took Gabriela to the hospital and neither one of them blabbed.  Maybe one of the hospital staff mentioned it when they went home after their shift was over.  Maybe one of Gabriela’s friends had talked or mentioned it back on Viterbo’s campus and somehow it got across town to UWL.  

And, of course, the story got embellished a little in the retelling.  The black Sigma Tau Gamma sweatshirt was mentioned - so the Sigma Tau Gamma brothers got a black mark on the UWL campus.  Somebody mentioned that they thought there had been other rapes on campus recently so, now it was widely “known” that a serial rapist was on campus.  

The rapist was a tall black man, the rapist was a short muscular man, the rapist was an illegal alien from Central America, and the rapist was a convicted murderer who had escaped prison in New York State.  The rumors flew around.  

The assailant liked to hear them talk about him.  He sat in Howie’s Bar and Grill and listened.  Then he went to the cafeteria at the student union and listened.  He was powerful.  The campus was scared of HIM!!!

With all this praise, he knew he needed to attack again - the feeling of superiority when he conquered this campus was growing in him.

*****

Ned got a text at church from Frank Hayes.  It was during the choir anthem so he could read what Frank said.

Frank wrote, “Brian Schultz is in the mental unit at the hospital.  Seemingly he was about to jump off the Mississippi River bridge and the cops and EMTs talked him down.  They have visiting hours tonight, could you stop by?  He needs a friend and mentor now.”

Ned quickly texted back, “Will do.  In church now”. 

*****

Mavis also was in her church that Sunday morning.  She had grown up in a particular denomination but when she married her husband they had agreed to a neutral church other than either one that they had grown up with.  But, after his death, she went back to her denomination.  But, she had struggled with that choice.  Eventually, she went back to the neutral church that the two of them had attended.  She wasn’t all that religious.  There was a God who loved His people and basically said “Love one another and I’ll be with you.”  And, it was important that this particular church building was a large congregation and was close to campus.  There were other academics in the congregation and a good number of students as well.  So, she got her religious brownie points on Sunday morning.

As the Dean of the College of Business at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, it seemed like a good thing to do.  She helped with some different things, handed out bulletins at the end of the service, and helped with the flowers and decorating.  Mavis thought that being active in the community was a positive for her academic position.  

During the sermon this morning she was thinking about Ned Morrison.  She kissed him last night.  Mavis went to the hospital when he had collapsed in the classroom and waited for him to wake up.  Was that being a good academic dean to be interested in her faculty members or was it something else?  Was she interested in a boyfriend or a second husband?  

*****

Max Winthrop got on the bus for the fairly short trip to the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.  River Falls was close to the Twin Cities and his folks would be over to see the Lacrosse game as well as some of the other parents.  Brian Schultz was not on the bus.  Max didn’t know why.  Did the coach kick him off the team?  That would be rare, but not unheard of.  He had seemed to be off - maybe the coach had given him some time to think things over.  Brian wasn’t really a friend - just a teammate but he was a good player when his brain was in the game.  

Max sat with John Maxwell on the bus.  John was playing well after being a substitute.  

They took the Minnesota route to get to River Falls.  The most direct route was on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River - but the road was curvy and there were lots of small towns to go through.  The faster route was on Highway 61 all the way to Red Wing Minnesota and cross the river there.  The road was four lanes even around Lake Pepin.  Lake Pepin wasn’t really a lake but a giant wide spot on the Mississippi River.  The bus did have to slow down for Lake City.  Max was still reasonably impressed that Lake City billed itself as “The Birthplace of Water Skiing”.  His parents had a cabin on Forest Lake and Max had grown up water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming.

The game went in the Eagle's favor - with UWL over UWRF by a 35 to 24 final score.  Max had scored eight points and had five assists.  

With the closeness to the Twin Cities and with the parents, grandparents, family, and friends visiting the game, the team had dinner at the Chinese Moon Buffet so the team could meet up with family.  

Max’s parents - Rory and Lisa Winthrop were glad to see him.  His younger brother, who was already a standout high school Lacrosse player, was with them.  His older sister was a senior at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter Minnesota and was a pre-med student.  

Rory asked, “So where is Brian Schulz?  He’s been a starter on your team this year.”

Max shrugged and answered, “I don’t know.  He didn’t show up and the coach didn’t say anything.  He’s been kind of sporadic lately - moody, and hard to talk to.”

Just then, the Coach stood up.  To get attention, he clanked his spoon against his glass.

“Greetings parents and friends.  It’s always good to have you cheer us on when we play River Falls and then join us for dinner afterward. It’s a good tradition.  And, like we’d done in the past, the Alumni Association is picking up the tab for dinner.”

There was mild applause.  

Coach added, “And what a great place for hungry college athletes - an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.”  He added quietly “Don’t overdo it guys.  I need you in shape for our game on Thursday.”

“We looked good today.  We had great scoring from our front line - thanks Jaxon and Max especially.  Connor was outstanding in goal today.  A real team effort.”

“We have two weeks of the regular season left before the playoffs.  Right now we’re in third place and should be playing the sixth-place team in a home game - but things can change.”

“I also wanted to tell the team and fans something that I’ve kept under my hat until now.  Last night Brian Schulz was on the Mississippi River bridge contemplating jumping off.  Fortunately, the EMTs and LaCrosse police talked him down and Brian is undergoing some mental evaluation at the Gunderson Hospital.  Please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through this trying time.”

“Again, thank you for coming today.  Enjoy your time together.  Team, we’ll get back on the bus about 5:45 so you have a little time with your families.”

Just then there was a big thunderclap and they could hear heavy rain on the roof of the restaurant.  

Coach ad-libbed, “Better to have the rain now than an hour ago”.  They laughed and went back to eating.

***

Max looked at his dad, “Wow I didn’t know about Brian.  I guess I haven’t been much of a friend for him.” 

Rory Winthrop answered, “Maybe you can reach out to him now.”

***

On the way back to campus most of the guys slept on the bus.  There wasn’t much traffic, but with the rain, it was a good time to nap.

Max kept thinking about Brian’s mental breakdown.  But, he also remembered the kid with the black jeans that had a tear by the leg - that just seemed weird.

*****

The mental health wing at Gunderson Hospital had visitation in their cafeteria on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30.  Visitors had to get checked at the door for any contraband.  

The mental health wing had rooms with no doors so staff could see if the patients were sleeping or having problems.  The patients could not have phones, keys, not even billfolds or anything.  Patients could shave but only with a staff person watching them and with disposal razors. During the days there were programs - exercise classes, meetings with counselors, optional meetings with Alcoholics Anonymous or Bible studies, there were art options and other rehabilitation exercises.  The staff did have prescriptions for various antidepressant medications as well as regular medications.  In an interesting approach for a hospital setting, the patients could have cigarettes twice a day in an outside, fenced-in area.  

Brian Schulz had come in in the early morning on Sunday after his being on the Mississippi River bridge between LaCrosse and La Crescent Minnesota.   A mental health intern was on duty and checked Brian in.  After a brief interview, the intern prescribed a sleeping aid and an antidepressant for Brian.  

Brian took the pills and almost instantly fell asleep.

*****

The Packers were playing the Sunday night National Football League game against the New York Giants.  Ned let Josh Kinross know that he was going to visit a student in the mental ward at the hospital and that he would be late to their weekly Packer game watch party.  

At 6:45 Ned Morrison was at the Gunderson Hospital Mental Health Wing.  He had to be checked out so that he wasn’t bringing any contraband into the mental health wing.  He got a name tag “Ned Morrison / Brian Schulz” - so he would be connected to Brian.

In the waiting room, there were about six others visiting patients this evening.  He didn’t know Brian’s parents but none of the others looked like they could be Brian’s parents - but looks could deceive.  

At 7:05, the staff person opened the door to the cafeteria.  The various patients who had visitors were escorted to the cafeteria.  Ned saw Brian as he walked in.  Ned waved to Brian.

The staff escorted Brian to a table where Ned was seated.  

Ned opened with “Hi Brian, how are you?”.

Brian looked rather haggard, and greeted Ned laconically, “Hi Professor.  I guess I’ve been better.”

Ned tried to be upbeat and do generic items first.  “I see the Lacrosse team beat River Falls today 35 to 24.  I hope you can get back on the field.  You are a great lacrosse player.  I had a good time at the Sigma Tau Gamma social event last night.”

Ned wasn’t sure what to ask or say.  He paused, waiting for Brian to speak - but Brian didn’t say anything.

Ned asked, “Okay, what’s up?  What can I help you with?  Have you seen a counselor or doctor?”

Brian seemed reluctant to share but started.  “I saw an intern counselor last night.  So far, I haven’t seen any real counseling staff.  I think they get the weekend off.  Today we had an exercise session, a lay minister had a church service, and games.  I played checkers for the first time in years.  I asked one of the staff how long I would be in, and she said “It depends” - so I really don’t know much.”

Ned tried to crack open Brian’s shell.  “So what pushed you over the edge?  Are your parents aware of what happened?  Are your classes getting to you?  Did a girl dump you?”

Brian looked at the table and answered.  “My Mom died alone about three weeks ago.  Technically she died of cancer, but I think she died of a broken heart.  My Dad divorced her a year ago and he has been a real jerk.  He was to support her financially, but he didn’t keep up with the payments.  He also didn’t keep up with his support of me.  I’m in debt of about $20,000.  He had another girlfriend and moved in with her.  She dumped him, and he is now in an apartment.  The house we lived in is tied up in the divorce settlement and that’s changed now that Mom died.”

Brian paused, and a tear rolled down his cheek. “It was just too much for me.  I couldn’t take it anymore.  My Mom and I were really close.  Yes, I did love Dad, but he’s gone over the deep end now.  I don’t understand him, I don’t understand life.  It’s just a big garbage dump.”

Ned listened carefully, his eyes focused on the young man, listening intently.  

Ned asked, “How are your classes going?” 

Brian answered, “Not so good in the past three weeks.  I missed several days for Mom’s funeral and stuff back home.  Then my brain was wonky, I couldn’t focus.  I should probably drop out for the semester, but I’m not sure what I would do with myself.  It’s going to be tough to finish college without money.  I do have a little Lacrosse scholarship, but basically, that just pays for books.  I’ve messed up with getting drunk at the Sigma Tau Gamma party and picking a fight.  That’s not normal for me.  I’m not coping well.”

Again, Ned nodded as he listened to Brian’s story.

There were a couple of minutes where neither person spoke, as Brian sobbed quietly.

Ned started quietly.  “Brian, when my wife and son were killed in the drunk driver accident, I thought my life ended.  There was no reason to continue with teaching, with anything.  I thought about suicide - it was very real to me.  Get it done, get it over with.  Who needs me? I had no value.  One night when I was on the verge of killing myself, an old friend sent me a note.  It was a strange note.  It said, ‘Ned, God told me to pray for you tonight and I am praying for you, my friend.’  I didn’t know how to handle that.  Somebody in the whole universe cared enough for me to pray for me.  It seemed stupid to me, but it really hit me.”

Ned paused and Brian was listening intently.  Ned continued.  “I was raised a Christian.  My Dad and Mom made sure I was at church and Sunday school each week - and my brother and sister.  But it was just background noise to me.  It wasn’t faith, it was, ah, just something that kids and parents did.  But here, an old friend who I hadn’t seen for maybe two years was writing to me and telling me he was praying for me.  I wasn’t much for prayer.  Sure on Sunday, we had a prayer time in church.  It was just something we did.”

Another pause.  “But somehow, that little note hit me.  It brought a little light into my dark night.  I somehow prayed myself that night - something like ‘God, I’m hurting.  Help me.  Nothing happened, God didn’t appear to me, There were no angels, there was no choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  But somehow, I was suddenly very tired.  I went to bed and slept soundly for eight hours - something that hadn’t happened since the accident.  When I woke, there still weren’t any angels or miracles, but deep inside I knew that a little peace had come back into my life.  I still have nightmares at times. Some days I just go through the motions.  I like teaching, I like my students, even you.” At that, Ned looked up and smiled a genuine smile at Brian. “I’m not perfect, But down inside I’m just a little different.”

The two sat in silence for a few minutes.  A voice cried out, “You have twenty more minutes”.  Ned had almost forgotten where they were - in a visitation room for a mental hospital.

Ned looked Brian in the eye.  “Brian, you have good things to do in front of you - a full life - wife, kids, job, maybe even some coaching.  The opportunities are unlimited.  Don’t throw it away.  Come back to us.”

Ned then said, “Brian, I’m going to pray for you.”

Ned reached across the table and grabbed Brian’s hands and prayed, “Heavenly Father, surround Brian with your love and grace, speak to him, call out to him, show him your peace in the midst of this turmoil.  In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Getting up from the table, Ned walked to Brian’s side and gave him a big hug.  “Be strong Brian, be strong”.  

The staff person came around and reminded them to finish their discussions.  

Brain hugged Ned back with tears in his eyes.  “Thank you Professor.  Thank you for coming tonight”.  He turned and walked back to the door to the mental ward, and Ned watched him with a silent prayer in his heart.  Then he headed for the exit.  

*****

Ned texted Josh and said he was on his way to watch the Packer game.  

*****

Ned also texted Mavis Larson, “How about dinner tomorrow night, my treat”.

*******************

End of this episode.

Next week - will Brian get better? Will they find the rapist?  Will Ned and Mavis build a relationship?