I Never Promised You a Rose Garden Chapter 26
Carmen is a new patient on B ward, and Carla and Deborah befriend her. On Sunday, when Carmen's father comes to visit, Deborah and Carla go for a walk outside. Enjoying their freedom, they walk farther than they are allowed to, and as they return to the hospital, two attendants try to escort them in. Too happy in their freedom, Deborah and Carla escape back outside and run away. They return later that night after their adventure. They are separated and sent to the ward administrator, but luckily for them, Dr. Halle is filling in for the absent ward administrator. When they tell him about their adventure, he seems happy that they've found friendship in the hospital, and he does not punish them for breaking the rules.
They want to tell Carmen what happened, but they find out that her father took her away. Deborah realizes how lucky she is that her parents let her stay although she showed no signs of what they would see as improvement. Her gratitude overwhelms her, and their love and kindness scares her.