The Fear of Falling Apart by Lauren Nappi

Author:Lauren Nappi [Nappi, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-26T05:00:00+00:00

Brittany settles into the seat beside me in the waiting room. Her parents talk quietly with the doctor in the corner. I try and make out what they are saying, but it’s too hushed. Miles and Rick pace the room together and sip on the thick, mucky coffee one of the nurses made for them. The waiting room is quiet for a Saturday night. I can only imagine that it’s almost 2 a.m. I click my phone on and 2:06 flashes on the screen. Brittany puts her head on my shoulder and takes my hand.

“I’m so sorry, Lucy,” she whispers to me, “I’m so sorry.”

“Shhh,” I lean my head on hers, “you don’t have to apologize. I’m sorry too. Didn’t you once tell me that even if I needed you at 4 a.m. to just call? That’s how it is. You needed me. Sometimes I need you. That’s what it means to be a friend, even if you are currently not speaking to each other.” I try to make her laugh, but she looks up at me seriously.

“No, I overreacted. I shouldn’t have done that to you and Cliff was right,” at the mention of his name her eyes begin to fill up again, “I should’ve been more understanding, but I’m an idiot when it comes to those things.”

“I know it’s not easy and people don’t know what to say or do. I like that you don’t tiptoe around me. I need someone to be real with me and not treat me like I’m some sort of wounded animal. I made a mistake. I made a few real shitty decisions.” I look around the waiting room. Miles and Rick are watching the TV in the corner and Brittany’s parents are still listening tentatively to the doctor. All of them look weary.

“You think he’s okay?” She wants me to agree with her and I do.

“Yea. He’s going to be fine. You did the right thing tonight.” I squeeze her hand. The doctor begins walking over to us and we stand up. He looks at the two of us and smiles.

“Ladies, you were very smart tonight. Your brother ingested a very dangerous combination of alcohol and some prescription pills. We are waiting on the toxicology reports to understand exactly what’s in his system, but by inducing vomiting, you probably saved his life. Your parents couldn’t answer this, but can you tell me if Clifford is addicted to prescription pills or alcohol? This will help us give him care.” I look silently over at Brittany.

“No. I’ve never seen him take anything. He doesn’t even like to drink. He doesn’t go out a lot. I don’t know what happened. Is he awake? Can I see him?” She looks frantically at the doctor and then back to her parents.

He nods at her. “He’s not awake yet. We are very hopeful that he should wake up soon. You can see him for a bit. I can take you back.”

“Lucy should go first. She’s the one who saved him.

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