(5)

On Friday, July 3, Billy was given permission to carry some of his paintings to the Athens National Bank, which had agreed to display his art in the lobby for the month of August. Billy worked happily, preparing new work, mounting canvases, painting and framing. He also spent time making arrangements for Kathys wedding, now set for September 28. He used some of his money from the painting sales to hire a wedding hall and had himself fitted for a tuxedo. He looked forward to the celebration.

The news of his art exhibit brought reporters and TV cameras from Columbus. With his attorneys approval, Billy granted interviews for the evening news to Jan Ryan, of WTVN-TV, and Kevyn Burger, of WBNS-TV.

To Jan Ryan, he talked of his artwork and of his feeling that therapy at the Athens Mental Health Center was helping him. ‘When she asked how much of the artwork was done by his other personalities, Billy said, “Basically it’s a touch of all. .They’re all part of me, and I have to learn to accept that. Their labilities are my abilities. But I am the one responsible for my own actions now, and I want to keep it that way.”

He told her that the proceeds from his artwork would go to pay his state hospital bill and his lawyer and to contribute to work against child abuse.

He also told her he felt his personalities were joining into one whole and he was now able to turn his attention to his future work—the prevention of child abuse. “I would like to see more foster homes adequately investigated,” he said, “to make sure that they’re safe and a comfortable environment. A child’s needs must be taken care of emotionally as well as custodially.”

The biggest change Jan Ryan found in Billy from the previous December, when she had filmed a half-hour documentary on him, was in his attitude toward society. Despite the severe abuse he had suffered as a child, he now faced the future with hope.

“I have put a little bit more faith in our judicial system as it stands. I don’t feel that everyone in the world is against me now.”

On the six o’clock news, Kevyn Burger pointed out that Milligan’s therapy program at the Athens Mental Health Center had been controversial and harshly criticized, but that Billy felt a sense of belonging in the community now.

“I feel a lot better about the people in Athens,” he told her. “They are not as hostile, because they’re getting to know me. They’re not afraid of me, as they were when I first came here. That was stirred up by … other means …”

He pointed out that he had selected, very carefully, the paintings he was putting on public view. He was holding others back because he feared people would try to analyze him through his artwork. He was worried, he admitted, about how people would judge his work. “If they come to see my work,” he said, “I hope it’s not because they’re thrill-seeking, but because they’re interested in art.”