The Minds of Billy Milligan

The writer visited Milligan frequently in early 1979, and during these visits the Teacher described Milligan’s past. The Teacher began to answer to Billy, who stayed fused for longer periods. Although his alternate identities still emerged occasionally, Billy felt confident of a life after treatment, which he helped along by using the money he made selling paintings. He also began to save some money to use toward the cause of child abuse.

As Billy improved, he began to demand the same freedoms extended to other patients, specifically being allowed to go into town by himself. After checking with law enforcement officials about Billy’s solo visits and setting certain conditions, Dr. Caul signed off on this.

During one of Dorothy’s visits, Billy discussed his biological father with her. When he was finally granted furlough and spent a weekend with his sister, Kathy, she showed him the note that Johnny had left before dying by suicide. Billy was shocked to find it full of accusations directed at Dorothy, describing her drinking, her negligence as a mother, her associations with unsavory people, and her manipulation and exploitation of Johnny, extending to her refusal to marry him. After reading his father’s note, Billy began to lose time again.