One Wish

I nod my head in agreement with the doctor, so he hands the prescription to Eli.

“I’ve known you for many years,” the doctor says, placing his pad and his things back in his bag and locking it up. “And each time I have visited, I suggested you clean up before it’s too late. What’s changed?”

I bite my lip, shrugging my shoulders as I’m at a loss as to how to answer. Taking drugs just… isn’t me.

“I don’t know,” I answer, honestly. “Call it an epiphany I had three days ago and now I want to change for the better.”

The doctor chuckles slightly, giving off this warm feeling that he genuinely cares. “Well, whatever it was, I’m glad you have finally seen the light. Just make sure you keep in regular contact with me, Kendra. I will also email you with some support contacts later. You don’t have to go through all this on your own.”

Eli’s slight wince has my eyes averting away from the doctor for a moment. Was that slight body jerk because he somehow feels… guilty?

“Okay, I will. Thank you.”

He pats my hand. “In the meantime, take those tablets. I know quitting cold turkey might seem appealing, but unfortunately these things do not happen overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.”

I don’t want to put anything in my body, but at the same time, he’s the doctor, so I must follow his advice. After the shock of what happened last night and how I’m feeling now, I will do whatever is necessary to get back on track. Whatever getting back on track even means. I was never even on the track!

Jeez, this whole thing makes my head hurt. And that’s another ailment I do not wish to add to the rest.

The doctor grabs his bag and starts for the door with Eli following after. “Don’t forget, plenty of fluids and rest.”

“Okay!” I shout after his retreating frame.

Once alone again, I groan out loud and wipe my hands over my face. How did I ever let myself get into this mess? I’m better than this. I know I am.

I’m thinking that after my escapades last night, a good shower is in order. I really must stink of sweat and vomit.

I’m about to get up from the bed when Eli softly knocks on the door, entering straight after, remorse now replacing the cold glare in his eyes.

“I have a big apology to make.”

I shake my head. “Eli, it’s fine. You don’t have—”

“Yes, I do,” he states, cutting me off. “I doubted you even though you were trying so hard and quite frankly, I’m appalled at myself. You’re going through all this on your own and it hurts me to think that I haven’t been there to support you when you needed me.”

A delicate smile graces my lips as I stare into those majestic green eyes of his. “You had every reason to doubt me, so please don’t beat yourself up about this. Your apology is more than I deserve right now.”

Eli chews on his lip like he wants to add more on the subject, but eventually sighs. “Can I get you anything?”

I shake my head, the call for a shower more and more intense. “No, thank you. The only thing I need and want more than anything right now is a good wash.”

Eli swiftly nods his head as he steps back. “I will leave now to get you those tablets, but if you need anything, Eleanor is here and I’m only a phone call away.”

Happy at the knowledge that he still cares, this is all I need. “Thank you.”

Eli quickly departs, leaving me to shower and slip into a pair of black leggings and a white t-shirt. Once I’m more refreshed, I start to strip the bed down when Eleanor barges in tut, tut, tutting away under her breath as she stampedes towards me with a breakfast tray in her hands.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she almost snaps, placing the tray of toast, freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, and croissants on the nightstand. I inhale sharply at the welcome coffee smell, my stomach rumbling at the thought of lost replenishments.

Wow, she seems pissed.

Frowning back at her, wondering what the hell I did wrong, I cautiously reply. “Taking my sheets off the bed. I kind of… sweated quite a bit during the night.”

Like a furious lioness, Eleanor gets to work stripping all the sheets from the bed before making her way to the closet to pull out some fresh ones. All the while, I watch her, wanting to help but knowing she’ll bite my head off if I do.

“The doctor says you need your rest, so you need to rest.”

My heart is warmed by her no-nonsense but tender approach, although I do laugh at her overblown reaction. “I’m not an invalid, Eleanor. I can change my own sheets.”