During my first inpatient psychiatric experience as an adolescent, I discovered that snack time was a crucial part of the day. Not only did snack time break up a monotonous schedule, but it also created an experience for patients in a hospital setting to enjoy, even savor, during a time in their lives they will probably choose to forget. One such experience would forever change my understanding of snack time. 

This snack time began like any other: a casual conversation about how rounds went between patients sitting around, hopeful talk about possible discharge dates, and changes in everyone’s medication.

Fifteen years ago, snack time was a different meal service on the unit. The lemon cake was served plentifully because, in those days, patients could get a second helping without begging the nutritionist for an extra piece of lettuce or a packet of sauce.

That’s when I observed my table-mate turn to another person and say:

“Can I spit in your lemon cake?”

While not yet shocked and partly amused, I thought little of the comment. 

A few moments later:

“Can I spit in your lemon-cake?”

This time, the speech was louder and had underlying aggressive intonations. I observed the technicians move in and surround his table. 

Fearing snack time was approaching an unfortunate early dismissal, I shoveled some lemon cake into my mouth. I listened worriedly as four huge men began to inform this patient he had to stop inquiring if he could spit in his tablemate’s cake. 

“Can I spit in your lemon cake?”

Silence. Then, a resounding:

“Noooo!”

The technicians began dragging this gentleman out of the cafe, forcing him onto his bed and restraining him to its frame without blinking. 

I’ve experienced many restraints in my day, but never over dessert. Snack time had been precious until this incident.

There were so many things going wrong in our lives, but during snack time, those problems were all forgotten. Ultimately like all things, snack time will have to suffer the same fate as all great things interrupted by daily bullshit and misunderstandings about cake.