“Why are you washing me?”
“Because your bed looks like you haven’t left it since I came by two days ago,” Rory said. “Now, let’s get you taken care of. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Rory drained the water and helped Bernard stand. He grabbed a clean towel and dried him off. Bernard shivered in his arms.
“It’s okay,” Rory said. “You’re going to be okay.”
Rory helped Bernard to the sink to brush his teeth. Two pills lay at the bottom of the sink. He looked over and a bottle lay at the bottom of the trash can. He pulled out the empty bottle. The label readPaxil.
“Bernard, what did you do with your pills?”
“My what?”
“Your medication. What happened to your medication?”
“I don’t need it anymore. It isn’t doing anything.”
Rory stared at Bernard. He’d thrown out his pills.
“What did you do with them, Bernard?”
“I don’t need them!”
“When was the last time you took it?”
Bernard stared at him with unfocused eyes. “The day after we buried my dad. The day I knew nothing would help.”
“That was almost a week ago.” Rory reached out and held him close. “Why did you stop?” he pleaded.
“They didn’t help. I still got depressed when my dad died. They were supposed to ease my anxiety, not worsen it.”
“That’s normal. To feel like that. But you can’t stop taking your medication.” Rory hugged Bernard. “Once you get sober, we’ll get you a refill. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”
“I just want it all to end.”
Rory leaned away. “No, Bernard. That’s not what you want.”
“I’m sorry,” Bernard said.His face contorted. Tears streamed down his face.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to be sorry.”
Rory helped him get into his underwear, shirt, and shorts. He kissed him. Bernard needed to get better. This was temporary.
“Go ahead, cry. Let it all out.”
Rory glanced around Bernard’s room. He couldn’t stay here. His bed was covered in vomit and urine.
Rory helped Bernard to the spare bedroom.
Bernard fell onto the bed. He curled up in a fetal position. His body convulsed with sobs. Rory grabbed his glasses and put them on the nightstand. He laid down behind Bernard and wrapped his arms around him. He pulled him in tight.
“No, this room is for guests,” Bernard said.
“You need to sleep here tonight. Your bedding needs to be changed. I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Are you staying the night?”
“I can stay if you want me to.”
