by K E Osborn
I throw the toiletries bag onto the bed and I walk out to the hall where the smell of the food is invading my senses. My stomach growls again and I exhale readying myself for walking downstairs. I feel weak. My body’s heavy and I can’t escape the fog that’s filling my head. I hold on to the rail and slowly take one step at a time, making my way downstairs to the kitchen. My feet finally hit the cold tiled floor and I have to stand steadying myself against the wall for a minute to get my breath back. I’m so out of sorts. I guess not eating will do that to you. I start the short walk to the dining area and when I get to the doorway I see Joseph and Danny sitting there eating. Danny notices me first. He smiles with a smile that’s so kind and then gestures to the seat across from him with a place setting and an empty chair. I nod and he places his hand on Joseph’s making him look up. Joseph’s smile beams as he watches me walk in and take a seat next to him at the dining table. No one says anything, and as I look at the mountains of Indian food in front of me my stomach growls loudly. I hear a chuckle from Joseph, but I ignore it and pick up my plate and dish myself some of each of the dishes. Joseph makes the best Indian food I’ve ever tasted and I can’t wait to get into it. Once I have finished putting everything on my plate it’s completely full and I sense both pairs of eyes on me as I pick up my fork. I take some butter chicken first and put it into my mouth. My first reaction is to gag. I guess I’m not used to eating, but when I taste the flavour of the chicken it just melts in my mouth. My stomach vibrates loudly again and it’s only then do the hunger pangs start and I realise just how ravenous I really am. I start to shovel mouthfuls of food into my mouth, it barely touches the sides before I swallow it. I hear some chuckling going on, but it’s like I’m in a frenzy and the only thing I can think about right now is food. I keep shovelling as much as I can until I feel like I’m about to explode. I put my fork down and look at my plate and it’s like I’ve hardly touched it. I sit back in my chair and exhale. I feel so full, I feel sick, but I’m amazed because there’s still so much food left on my plate. I guess my stomach has shrunk – a lot.
I look over at Joseph who’s casually eating and watching me.
I half-smile at him. “Thank you,” I say quietly.
He reaches his hand to take mine and he kisses it softly. “No, thank you. I thought we were going to have to take you to the hospital and get them to put in a drip to give you some fluids. I’m just so happy that you ate. Although I knew you couldn’t resist my Indian.” Joseph raises his eyebrows at me.
“Didn’t eat much though, seems such a waste.”
“Leftovers sweetie, lunch and dinner tomorrow night too. I know you always enjoyed it more the next day. Why do you think I always make more than necessary?” He tops my water glass back up and I take a sip when I hear the doorbell ring. Joseph goes to get up, but I grab his hand and stop him.
“I’ll go, I’ve finished my dinner. You guys keep eating yours,” I say and they both nod at me. I walk slowly to the front door and even though I’m in a shirt and underwear I know it’ll probably only be a door to door salesman or something. Someone I can tell to rack off as soon as I open the door. I turn the porch light on and open the door. I’m stunned by bright flashes and people yelling at me. I stumble on the spot as the flashes disorientate me.
“Miss Norman, is it true you have left Colter Slade to come back to your ex-boyfriend?” someone yells out.
“What? No—” I reply, but I’m cut off by another person yelling at me.
“Is it true that Colter broke your heart, driving you into the arms of another man?”
I shake my head in confusion as more flashes go off.
“Lia over here.”
What the hell? I’m not posing for you douche wad!
“What are your thoughts on the fact that Slayed won’t play their most popular song ‘Until the End of Time’ at their concerts anymore? Is that something to do with your brutal breakup?”
I can feel the tears welling in my eyes. I had no idea he wasn’t singing his most popular song at his concerts anymore. They keep yelling ridiculous questions at me and I’m so stunned I just stand there and cry.
How did they find me?
“Lia, what are your thoughts on the reports of a Miss Jessi Bradbrooke carrying Colter’s love child? Is that why you broke up?” some woman yells and I stumble. I feel like I’m falling. Like the whole world is caving in on me burying me below the surface.
Jessi is pregnant?
Oh God, I can’t breathe again. The tears stream from my eyes as I feel everything spin. The flashes are going berserk as a pair of strong arms wrap around me just in time for me to collapse into them.
“Leave her alone! If any of you come back I’ll have you all charged with trespassing. Now piss off the lot of you!” I hear Joseph yell. I hear the front door slam and I black out.
“Lia… Lia… for God’s sake, Lia, will you wake up?” I hear and then a sharp sting reverbs over my cheek. My eyes flash open and I see Joseph holding me and Danny looking down fanning me with a magazine.
“There’s my girl, are you with me?” he asks as the emptiness inside me is filled with knives stabbing every inch of me. The tears start to fall freely as I cradle myself into a ball, my hands fisting in my hair as I rock back and forth.
“How could he?” I yell at no one in particular. If Jessi’s pregnant then he must’ve been sleeping with her when we were together. You can’t have sex and find out five days later that you’re pregnant. He was cheating on me the whole time.
I knew it!
“Fuuuuuuuuck,” I scream at the top of my lungs and then cry harder than I have in my life. I cry so hard that my stomach heaves. I can’t see. I can’t hear. All I know is that I’m being carried. I’m placed on the cold tiled floor of my en-suite in front of the toilet, just in time for me to lean over and throw up my entire dinner. My stomach convulses and tightens so tight I feel like I can’t breathe. The contents of my stomach continues to flow out of my mouth. I hardly get a rest in between heaves.
“Jesus, Lia,” I barely hear Joseph as he holds my hair for me.
“Danny,” he calls out as I continue to heave. My stomach hurts so bad as it forces everything up and out, it’s so violent that it’s coming out of my nose as well as my mouth. This is disgusting and the thought makes me heave even more.
“Hey, what can I do?” Danny asks.
“Get Mark over here, now,” Joseph says as he rubs my back. The heaves don’t stop. There’s nothing left inside me to bring up except yellow liquid that’s burning my throat. I thought I felt weak before dinner, well now I feel like I’m well and truly on my way to an early grave, and at this point in time – I don’t care.
Joseph comforts me while I lean against the toilet bowl for what seems like hours.
“Lia, sweetie, I’m so sorry. God, I could kill him for doing this to you,” Joseph hisses through gritted teeth. I cough and splutter into the bowl again as I hear footsteps behind me.
“Here she is,” I hear Danny say.
“Hey Lia, my name’s Mark and I’m a doctor. I’m just going to give you something to help with the sickness, okay?” he asks as I rest my head on the toilet seat. I don’t care how disgusting it is, I feel like I’m on death’s door anyway, so I may as well do it comfortably. My breaths are short and few and far between. I hear some rustling around, but at some stage I closed my eyes, so I have no idea what’s going on. A cold, moist thing rubs against my arm as I feel someone take it in their hand.
“Okay, just a little sting,” I hear and then I feel the needle going into my arm. Normally I’d flinch because I hate needles almost as much as I hate flying, but I don’t have the energy or the care factor to even acknowledge that I felt it. I hear the toilet roll holder turning and then I feel it wiping my nose and mouth. Someone pinches the skin on my arm and I have no idea why.
“Her skin test shows she severely dehydrated and I don’t like that she hasn’t eaten in five days. What she did eat is
now in the toilet. I want her to be comfortable, so I think I’ll set up an IV and Danny you can change it when you need to. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten how to do it?” Mark asks.
“No, I haven’t forgotten brother,” Danny replies. I didn’t even pick up that Mark had an American accent until now, but I don’t really care I just want to sleep.
“Okay, well I’m going to write out a prescription for some Zoloft. I’m going to give her a high dose and you’ll need to make sure she takes it every day,” Mark says and I cringe slightly. I don’t need an antidepressant, I need sleep, lots of it.
At least my stomach seems to have settled slightly. The pull of unconsciousness is calling me and I zone out. I can hear more talking, but it’s muffled by the ringing in my ears. I feel like I’m floating and it’s only when I’m placed on the bed that I realise I was being carried. I’m lying on my back and I can feel someone playing with my hand, but I’m too out of it to wonder what they’re doing. A cold, wet thing wipes over my hand and then I’m stabbed with another needle. It doesn’t hurt or maybe it does, I don’t know. I hear more muffled talking and before I know it I’m completely out of it.
I hear something. I don’t know what it is, but it’s persistent and it’s annoying. I bring my hand up to rub my eyes and a cord falls on my face. My eyes open and I look at my hand to see a drip inserted and being held up by a stand. For a brief moment I think I must be in a hospital, but then I realise I’m still in my room. The vibration starts again and takes hold of my attention. I look at the side table to see my mobile phone ringing. I turn to take hold of it and a cramp shoots through my stomach.
Man that hurts!
Must be from all the puking.
I grab my phone through the pain in my stomach and look at the caller ID. To my surprise it’s Daddy.
Great!
News of me answering the door at my exes place in a shirt and my underwear has probably got him all excited. I bet Daddy’s thrilled to know that he was right about him all along.
I let it go to voicemail. I really can’t be bothered with him right now. I rest the phone on my chest and it vibrates again. I’m so glad I still have it on silent. It would’ve annoyed Joseph and Danny with its persistent ringing. I look at the caller ID and his picture shows up. My breathing increases and I shut my eyes tightly hoping that the picture will disappear. The vibration stops and I take in a deep breath. I put my phone back on the side table and lay there for what seems like hours listening to it vibrate repeatedly until it finally stops. I wait and wait for it to vibrate again. But nothing. I start to feel a slight panic wash over me.
Maybe he has given up? Maybe he doesn’t want to fight for me anymore?
I turn and pick up my phone pressing the button to activate the screen but nothing. It’s black. I press the power button, but a battery sign comes up and it’s flashing empty. I see that Joseph has plugged in my charger for me, so I quickly take it and plug my phone in. I wait a minute or so and then turn it on. The screen flashes to life and I lay on my back with my phone above my face staring at the screen. The panic is slowly rising and the tears form in the corner of my eyes. The screen fades to black and I stare at it imploring it to ring.
Nothing.
My body goes tense and I sniff. Even though I hate him right now and I don’t think I could forgive him, I don’t want him to give up on me. As crazy as it sounds, the fact that he was calling made me feel better. I close my eyes and it forces the tears to fall down to the pillow. I give up all hope, when I feel the vibration and then a light flashes making me open my eyes. I look at the screen to see his face and instantly I’m calm again. I smile and hold the phone in both hands to my chest almost embracing it.
I must be losing my mind!
My body relaxes knowing he hasn’t given up on me.
The phone continues to vibrate, but the time between the calls is getting longer and longer. Each time I think he’s going to stop and each time he proves me wrong by calling again. I know I’m probably torturing myself by watching the phone, but it’s the only thing that I have left of him. I hear a knock at the door and I look up placing the phone under my pillow. Joseph walks in with a tray and comes and sits down next to me.
“How you feeling?” he asks and hands me a glass of water and a tiny blue pill. I look at him and frown.
“Do I really need to take that?”
“Yes, I think you do, sweetie,” he says placing the pill in my hand. I exhale and sit up taking the water from him and downing the pill with half a glass of water.
“I’m sorry, Lia. What happened last night with the paparazzi—”
“It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I should’ve realised that they’d come after me once the news of our split was out. I’m sorry they came here and I understand if you want me to move out because of the attention that will be focused on the condo now,” I say, feeling deflated. I know how much Joseph likes his privacy, so having twenty reporters camped on his front doorstep is not something he would be keen on.
“Don’t be daft. You’re not going anywhere, and no one is coming in the condo other than the people we know, so don’t worry about your safety or your privacy. We’ve got you, Lia,” Joseph replies placing the tray on the end of the bed.
“So, you haven’t told me how you’re feeling. Do you have a bit more energy now that you have the IV in?” he asks looking at the nearly empty bag. I think for a moment and then realise that I do actually feel a little better. Not great, like I could dance the moonwalk all night long, but good enough that I might be able to make it downstairs to watch some television.
“I’m okay, my stomach hurts. It feels like I’ve been doing sit-ups for half my life nonstop and I really need to wee.”
“Well, thanks for that little tidbit of information, but I meant how are you feeling emotionally?” I swallow and take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “That good, eh?” he says taking my hand in his.
“Do you think I might be able to have a shower?” I ask trying to avoid the topic of my emotional state.
He smirks at me and chuckles. “Please do. Not only do you stink, but you also smell like vomit now too. So yes, I think a shower would be a great idea.”
“Sorry, I know I’m disgusting right now.”
“Hey, if Danny did to me what he has done to you, I’d stink just as bad as you do right now too, so don’t worry. What are friends for?” Joseph says and I half-smile. “Do you want to shower now? I can get Danny to unplug your drip for you?” I nod. “Okay, I’ll go and have a chat to Danny. I’ll be right back, okay?” He stands and walks out. I slowly move my legs out the side of the bed. Princess is on the floor jumping on my legs begging for a pat. So I tussle her furry head. I hear footsteps in the hall. Joseph and Danny walk in hand in hand.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to seeing that.
“Hey Lia, how are you feeling?” Danny asks as he comes over and fiddles with the drip in my hand. He’s so gentle. It doesn’t hurt at all when he detaches me from the chord.
“I’m okay, I guess. Still weak but at least I can keep my eyes open,” I say as he sits on the bed next to me.
“That’s good. Now Joseph tells me that you want a shower?” Danny asks with kind eyes. I nod and smile. “I think that’s a great idea, but just be careful. You’re still weak and your body is in major recovery mode. Make sure not to have your shower too hot, okay?” Danny states sternly.
“How do you know about all of this medical stuff?” I ask.
He smiles and raises his eyebrows. “I used to be a nurse. My whole family comes from a line of medical professionals. I gave it up because it wasn’t for me. I’m kind of the black sheep of the family for not continuing in medicine like everyone else. But I’m happy, so stuff them I say,” he replies with a slight chuckle.
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy.” I go to stand from the bed and wobble slightly. Joseph takes hold of my arm to steady me.
“Just take it easy,” he
says and I nod.
“Maybe after your shower you can come downstairs and we can watch ‘Thor’ and all lust after Chris Hemsworth,” Danny says which actually makes me smile.
“I’d like that.”
He turns toward Joseph who leans in and kisses Danny.
I don’t think I will ever get used to that, either.
Danny stands up and walks toward the door. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”
Joseph helps me walk to the en-suite and he smiles letting go but staying and watching to make sure I don’t fall. Which I don’t, but I’m already tired. He leans in and turns on the water waiting for it to reach the right temperature.
“Okay, you going to be all right?” he asks looking at me concerned. I fake a smile as I really don’t know how much longer I can hold myself up. I really wish we had a bath.
“I’m fine, thanks Joseph. You’ve been amazing.” He leans in kisses my forehead and walks out closing the en-suite door. I exhale as I try to hold myself up and take off my shirt, but I’m having trouble lifting my arms above my head, they’re too heavy. I make a few attempts and I’m already exhausted, so I slump against the wall making a thud as my body hits it. The door creaks open and Joseph peaks inside, he sees me struggling to stand and he walks in and lifts me up holding me to him.
“Oh Lia. What have you done to yourself?” he mumbles under his breath as I struggle to stop panting from exhaustion.
“Okay, you need a shower and I need to help you, so I’m sorry if this is embarrassing, but I can’t see any other option.” He leans me against the basin, I try to hold myself up as he grabs hold of his shirt and pulls it off over his head. I forgot how ripped he is. He continues to get completely undressed and then he takes the hem of my shirt and pulls it up over my head. It’s hard for me to hold my arms up long enough for him to take it off, but somehow we manage. He then pulls at my underwear and drags it down my legs to the floor. I’m starting to feel heavy as I slump a little against the basin. His hands rush around me and our bodies connect as he holds me to him.