by AnDerecco
Well you better get on it. This is the planting time. If you grow anymore of those tomatoes I would like to have a few.
JACOB
Mrs. Ada you are always planting, I am surprised that you don’t do a garden.
Mrs. Ada gave Jacob a stern look.
MRS. ADA
I plant flowers. I don’t do vegetables and fruits. I don’t have the time for that.
JACOB
Aren’t you retired?
MRS. ADA
I am but I have other things that I have to do during the day. I don’t just stay in the house.
DENNIS
Well Mrs. Ada, we will get back in touch with you.
MRS.ADA
Alright, well y’all have a good evening.
Dennis pushed Jacob on into the house.
DENNIS
Why you do Mrs. Ada like that?
JACOB
What?
DENNIS
Asking her all those questions. Everybody on in this city know the truth about her son. But her son was arrested today too. I was watching the news in my office and heard about it. Which reminds me…I heard about this teen that committed suicide for being bullied for being gay. I feel that we need to develop a workshop for that topic.
JACOB
Sounds good to me.
XVI
Aretha Franklin “Are You Leaving Me” was playing on the system when Ian walked into the pitch black house. There was stillness in the air as Ian walked towards the bedroom when he tripped over something in the hallway. He picked himself up to find the light switch and see what had made him fall. To his surprise it was Jeremy lying on the floor. He was on his side with his right arm under him and his left leg sprawled across the width of the hall. His eyes were completely open.
Ian let out a loud scream. He pulled on Jeremy and called his name several times. He tried to pick Jeremy’s 6’4” 225 pound frame up and pull him closer to him.
IAN
JEREMY!!!! Wake up!!! Come on baby. Don’t do this. Don’t do this.
Ian was panic but tried to stay calm in the situation. He reached into his pocket to get his cell phone. His mind was telling him to call E-911. After the first ring…
JACOB
Hello.
IAN (nervously)
Jacob, I need you to come over here quick.
JACOB
What’s wrong?
IAN
I came home and found Jeremy passed out in the hallway. Come help me! He won’t wake up (crying and screaming).
JACOB
Calm down. We are on our way. Now call 911. It’s going to be ok. OK?
IAN
OK.
Ian and Jacob ended their phone call. Ian could barely dial 911 he was shaking so badly. He told Jeremy to hold on.
JACOB
Come on we have got to get over to Ian and Jeremy.
DENNIS
What’s wrong?
JACOB
He found Jeremy passed out in the hall.
Dennis and Jacob quickly got dressed and drove to Ian’s house.
By the time they arrived the paramedics were bringing Jeremy out on a stretcher. Jacob raced out of the car before Dennis was completely stopped. Ian ran to him and hugged him tightly. Jacob instructed Ian to ride in the ambulance and they would follow.
XVII
Two hours later, Ian sat beside Jeremy’s hospital bed. He rocked backward and forward thinking about how close he was to losing Jeremy. Jeremy’s face appeared solemn. No expression, no muscle twitching, nothing.
Entered a nurse and a doctor to check his vitals. The doctor sat on the couch beside Ian to explain what they suspected happened.
DR. THOMAS
When Jeremy first arrived his vitals were very low. His skin was cool and pale, blood pressure, heart beat, his temperature; his respiratory was little to none. All signs of a drug overdose. We pumped his stomach to get whatever was left out. Some of the medicines had already dissolved into his system. It is a good thing you found him when you did.
IAN
Is he going to be alright?
Ian felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He took it out and noticed that it was Deacon calling him. He immediately canceled the call.
DR. THOMAS
He is in a coma. We don’t know the effect that this has on his body right now. We have run a CT Scan on his brain and looking at the imagery; he may or may not have some brain damage. Some drugs can cause transient damage to certain organ systems. Improvement is noted first here in the hospital and then at home. However, some overdoses can cause permanent damage to certain organ systems. The liver and the kidneys are two organ systems at high risk.
IAN
OK. Do you know what drugs he took?
Again he phone vibrates in his pocket. He looks at it to see if it was Jeremy’s family calling. Once again it was Deacon. He quickly presses end on the phone. He thought to himself, “Why did I do this?”
DR. THOMAS
We drew blood for a toxicology test. I am putting a rush on it. Do you know of any reason that he may have done this? Was he depressed?
IAN (hesitantly)
Um, no. Nothing that I can think of.
DR. THOMAS
OK, well I will be back in about two hours to check on him and you. Just continue to be hopeful and stay prayed up.
IAN
Thanks and I will.
The doctor and nurse exited the room. Ian began to say a silent prayer to himself, praying that everything would be alright. In the middle of his prayer and looking at Jeremy his phone goes off for the third time. Ian was very irritated at this point. He took it out and the caller id showed “DEACON”. Ian answered his phone.
IAN
Hello.
DEACON
Hey sweet thang. How are you?
IAN
Not good right now.
DEACON
What’s wrong?
IAN
When I got home I found Jeremy lying in the middle of the floor passed out. He took an overdose. We are at the hospital right now.
DEACON
Oh no! He is alright, isn’t he?
IAN
Right now he is in a coma. We don’t know how long he may be in it or if he will come out of it.
DEACON
Do you want me to come over?
IAN
No.
DEACON
Are you sure?
IAN
Yes I am sure.
DEACON
I miss you.
IAN
Dude, don’t. Right now is not the time.
DEACON
Yeah you right. What hospital are you at?
IAN
St. Thomas Hospital.
DEACON
I may swing by…
There was a knock at the room door. Jacob and Dennis entered the room slowly unsure if the doctor or nurse was visiting.
IAN
Look I have to go. I will get in touch with you later.
Ian ended the conversation with Deacon. He gave Jacob and Dennis a smile and patted on the couch for them to sit. Jacob sat next to him and threw his arm around Ian for comfort.
Thirty minutes later there was a knock on the door. Ian told the person to enter. There walks in Deacon. Ian was surprise and embarrassed to see him. He introduced him to everyone. They all exchanged friendly hellos and handshakes. Deacon sat in the chair beside the window.
DEACON
So, how is he doing?
IAN
He is resting.
DEACON
How are you?
IAN
I am good. Just sitting here talking with my family.
DEACON
OK. (turning to Dennis) You look familiar. Where do I know you from?
DENNIS
I am not sure, maybe at a conference or something.
DEACON
Could be. But you look so familiar.
By this time Dennis’ business cell p
hone started to ring. Dennis jumped at the sound of it. He asked everyone to excuse him while he stepped into the hall to answer it. Before leaving the room he bent down to give Jacob a peek on the lips.
DEACON
Have you all eaten?
IAN
Earlier today.
DEACON
Well you didn’t eat. You were too busy putting glass in people’s mouth.
Jacob stopped and gave a strange look at Ian and at Deacon. Ian tried not to look directly at Jacob. Jacob was about to ask what did he mean by that statement but Ian quickly injected.
IAN
How about we go down to the cafeteria to see what they have?
They all were in agreement and started to walk out of the door. Ian walked over to Jeremy and whispered…
IAN
I am going to get something to eat. But I will be back soon. Continue to rest.
He gave him a kiss on the forehead and walked out of the room with the rest of them.
JEREMY (groggily and coming out of his coma; with a faint sound)
Eric…
XVIII
Eric slowly entered Jeremy’s hospital room. He found the room to be empty except for Jeremy lying in the bed. He walked over and took Jeremy’s hand and gave it a small kiss. He looked around the room at the wall, TV, and back at Jeremy.
ERIC
I don’t know what you did to wind up here but I got the info. You need to stop scaring me like this boy. There has been something that I have always wanted to say to you. I love you. I always have. I was upset when you and Damion were messing around in high school. Then you stopped talking to him and next thing I know it was you and Ian. I wondered when I would get my chance. I could love you better than Ian ever could.
Jeremy, with his eyes still closed, slowly turned his head to the voice. Eric knew that Jeremy could hear him. All he wanted was for him to open his eyes and say, “I LOVE YOU TOO!”
ERIC
Baby, are you waking up? Open your eyes for me. I need you with me.
Eric squeezed Jeremy’s hand a little to get a response. Jeremy returned the squeeze. A huge smile came on Eric’s face.
ERIC
Come on back baby.
Jeremy’s eyes begin to flutter. He slowly opened them like a newborn baby seeing the world for the first time. Eric jumped with excitement. He leaned down and gave him a kiss. Eric reached over and pressed the “nurse call” button.
ERIC (with excitement)
Hey. Glad you made it back.
Jeremy tried to speak but was unable to. He let out a small cough and a grunt. Eric instructed him not to speak and that the nurse was on her way.
Three minutes later the nurse came into the room. She saw that Jeremy’s eyes were open. She pulled Eric out of the way to check his vitals.
NURSE
How are we doing Mr. Govan?
Jeremy tried to respond but was unable to.
NURSE
Are you feeling any pain anywhere?
Jeremy shook his head no.
NURSE
Are you hungry?
Jeremy responded with a nod.
NURSE
You can’t have anything solid. I can bring you some broth or jell-o.
ERIC
Bring him the jell-o. That broth he may throw-up.
The nurse turned around and noticed that it wasn’t Ian giving her directions.
NURSE (hesitantly)
And you are?
ERIC
Oh, I am Eric Wallace. I am a good friend of his.
NURSE
OK, well I will bring the jell-o right back.
The nurse exited the room. Eric grabbed Jeremy’s hand again and pulled it up to his chin. He gazed at him with excitement and passion in his eyes.
Jeremy closed his eyes strongly and began to move his mouth.
JEREMY (in a whisper)
Wh…wh…where…is…Ian?
ERIC
He hasn’t been here. When they found you passed out in your car, they immediately called me. They told me that my number was the last call from your cell phone.
JEREMY
Did you call him?
ERIC
I tried but I kept getting his voicemail.
Jeremy closed his eyes and turned his head. He tried to replay in his mind him taking the pills. He could not. All he could remember was that he didn’t want Ian to be hurt by him again. He thought that if he was not in this world, Ian could go on with his life and be content. Ian would not have to worry about him betraying his love and trust.
The nurse bought the jell-o back with a spoon. Eric was quick to take it from her. The nurse was surprised by his actions.
ERIC
Thanks, I will feed it to him.
NURSE
OK, if you need anything else…press the call button.
ERIC
I sure will.
Eric press button to lift the head of the bed. He took the top off of the jell-o and began to feed him. On the fourth bite Ian, Jacob, Dennis, and Deacon came in the room laughing.
The first thing that Ian spotted was Eric feeding Jeremy. Ian froze in place. When he came out of his trance he race toward the bed. This caused confusion with Jacob and Dennis. Deacon tried to catch his arm but was unsuccessful.
IAN
What the hell are you doing here?
ERIC
I came to check on a friend. You weren’t here to be supportive and take care of him in this his time of need.
IAN
Don’t make me drag your ass out of here by your two front teeth.
Eric ignored that statement Ian made and continued to feed Jeremy.
Ian realized that Jeremy was awake. He turned to him with an element of surprise and relief. He intentionally bumped Eric out of the way. He tried to wrap his arms around Jeremy and give him a kiss but Jeremy resisted.
Ian was shocked by this action. He stood up and looked at Jeremy and turned to Eric. He took a few steps back and tears begin to form in his eyes.
IAN
Alright. OK. You won. You beat my chair rocking like you said you would do. You two have a nice life together. I bow out gracefully.
Ian turned and stormed out of the room with Jacob following him. Jacob screamed out at Ian but he took the stairwell.
__________________________
Ian sat in his car and cried. He screamed. He kicked. He threw things. He started his car and started to drive off. Jacob came running out of the hospital screaming Ian’s name. All he saw were the taillights disappearing in the darkness of the night as he drove down the street.
XIX
Ian entered his house with such fury. He punched the walls and screamed as loud as he could. He dropped to his knees in the middle of his living room and pounded the side of his head with his fist. He realized that the system was still playing Aretha Franklin “Are You Leaving Me”.
He walked over to the player and noticed that it was on repeat. He quickly ejected the disk out and broke it in half. He threw the two halves across the room. One piece stuck in the wall.
Ian went to the bedroom and gathered Jeremy’s shoes and threw them in the tub. He went outside and grabbed the lighter fluid for the grill and bought it back into the house. He sprayed the shoes with the liquid until they were covered. He stuck a match and threw it. The shoes lit up in flames.
Ian raced to get Jeremy’s shirts and suits. He dumped them in the washing machine and poured a half gallon of bleach on them. He put the machine on extra large gentle cycle.
He took his web tablet and placed it in the middle of the floor. He went to the trunk of his car and got his bowling ball. Back in the house, stood over the tablet, raised the ball and it dropped right on the screen of the tablet. SHATTERED!!!
He thought about the pictures that he and Jeremy’s took when they went to Aspen. He looked at the pictures as his eyes were flooded with tears. RIPPED!!!
He raced to the kitchen to grab the fire exting
uisher and back to the bathroom. Ian pulled the pin and pressed the discharge level. He put out what was left of the fire that was burning in the tub.
Ian looked in his medicine cabinet and got two sleeping pills out of the bottle, went into the kitchen and fixed him a double shot of vodka and tonic. He turned the TV on and lay on the couch.
After 10 minutes, he was knocked out.
XX
Dennis and Jacob were packing for their workshop in Washington, D.C. Jacob invited Ian to go with them to keep his mind occupied from recent events.
Ian arrived at their house about two hours before the flight. He went into the kitchen to fix him a cocktail. Jacob was telling Dennis to pack lightly. They were only going to carry one suitcase a piece. Dennis was known for packing his entire closet on business trips. He always said that his mood may change from what he thought that he may want to wear.
Ian came to the back where they were.
JACOB
How are you?
IAN
I am great. Ready to see my girl Monique, maybe meet a few “friends” on this trip, and might decide to stay.
DENNIS
Well you can see Monique and decide to stay but you will not be meeting any friends.
IAN
And why not? – I am single.
JACOB
That’s what your mouth say but what does your heart say?
IAN
I have decided that I will never listen to my heart again. The one I gave my heart to, broke it, stomped it, stabbed it, and everything else that he could do to it.
Ian took a big gulp of his drink and went to the kitchen to refresh.