Bitter Pill by A J Linney

Author:A J Linney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2024-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Oliver

Oliver woke in the middle of the night, disorientated and covered in sweat. His heart rammed against his ribs. He sat up and tried to settle the dizziness before he stood. His body was on fire, so he staggered into the shower and turned it on full force, switching the dial to the cool setting. He shuddered at the onslaught of the water.

His symptoms had worsened over the past few weeks. Somehow, he had to get through the next stint of service abroad.

He glanced down at his body. It was losing muscle mass fast, and when he’d looked in the mirror to shave that morning, he saw a likeness of his Uncle Ronnie’s face staring back.

Oliver remembered Ronnie’s emaciated body and his protuberant eyes. Oliver’s own cheeks were showing signs of dipping, and the pallor to his skin was a sure sign of disease. He could no longer deny the seriousness of the situation.

The water bounced hard off his upturned face, and he allowed the torrent to assault him as Josh’s words echoed in his brain: ‘For Christ’s sake, Oli, see the medics! You’re sick and it’s affecting your work. And that can’t happen!’

Oliver had told Josh to get off his back and he hadn’t raised the subject since. Things were becoming tense between them, so Oliver stayed in his room, away from everyone. All he wanted was to go home. He needed to be with his family, but the enormous fear of the acceptance of his illness held him back.

Pippa would know how sick he was as soon as she saw him. While he was away, he could save her the torment for at least a little while longer. He couldn’t bear the thought of her worry. He would do the worrying for both instead. It was his duty to protect all his family for as long as he could. He would not burden them with his disease. He had guessed what was wrong with him. He didn’t need a medic to tell him. And he didn’t need a label. After all, ignorance was bliss, wasn’t it? And for now, he would finish out his term and only then, reunite with his wife and son.

Oliver didn’t bother drying himself. Instead, he positioned the towel on his bed and lay naked on top, with his hands behind his head, staring into the darkness.

It broke him to think about Alexander. Oliver knew now that he would not see his son grow into a man. He felt sure his time was limited. He didn’t need an examination to confirm what his own body told him.

He felt bad arguing with Josh; he was his best mate and deserved more. Oliver decided, once morning broke, it would be time to talk.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.