“That’s not true. You found a good place for her to get help. You were supportive from the moment she decided to get help. You’ve been a rock for her, whether or not either of you, realize it. She wouldn’t be receiving the care she is, if you hadn’t been there for her.”
Nick watched Luke glance down at his work books as he absorbed Sam’s words. “Hey, why don’t we pack it up for the day? We can go back to painting the Sunkist living room tomorrow.”
He looked over at Sam, who nodded in agreement.
“Alright,” Luke agreed and started to clean up.
“Leave it, we’ll get it. If you hurry you’ll make the first pitch.” She winked at him and hoped that she didn’t leave him in a permanent bad mood and the rest of his day could be salvaged.
*
Cara was escorted to the room she had stored her belongings the day she was admitted to Lakeview. Detox had kicked her ass, but here she was still standing. Barely, but that didn’t matter. She had found the strength within her and made it through the first step in the long road to recovery. She didn’t know what day it was or how long she had been locked in that room battling her addiction.
“Is there anything you need?” The orderly asked, once Cara had stepped into her room. “Someone will be in shortly with dinner or if you are feeling up to it you can join everyone else in the dining room.”
Cara looked around the room for a moment, her eyes wandering to the phone beside her bed. She turned around to face him. “Okay. Am I allowed to make a phone call now?” She asked.
The orderly smiled slightly. “Yes.” He waited a moment and then nodded. “I’ll leave you to that phone call.” He said before taking a retreating step backward and closing the door softly as he exited her room.
She stood frozen for a minute, unsure what to do with herself. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and the woman who glanced back at her looked severely ill. She frowned as she stepped closer to better assess what a mess she was. She looked like she had lost ten pounds. Her face was sunken in and the color drained from it. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun and with the hair out of her face, she noticed her features, mainly her eyes. They were golden brown with the slightest flecks of green in them. The eyes that were once so full of emotion and life were blank. She swallowed hard and turned away, unable to stare at the ugliness that came from being an addict.
She walked to the bed and sat on the edge. The silence pierced her and for a moment she thought she’d rather be locked in that room with her hallucinations keeping her company. The feeling of loneliness crept up on her and she began to feel sorry for herself. She was pathetic. She had no right feeling sorry for herself when she was the one who created this mess. Still, she couldn’t help feeling alone. The one person who loved her was gone.
She wiped at the lone tear that escaped and slid down her cheek. God, did she miss Jake. She closed her eyes and wondered how that hole in her heart would ever mend. She opened her eyes and looked over at the phone and debated if she should call Luke or not. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. She knew he was only helping her because of the bond he had with his brother. There was no other reason for Luke to take an interest in her well-being.
She reached for the notepad that sat beside the phone and looked at the list of numbers that were written on it. Three telephone numbers and all of them were relatives of Jake. She sighed and pushed the sorrow aside as she stared at the number listed above the other two. Slowly, she reached for the receiver and with hesitant fingers, she dialed Luke’s number.
*
Luke pulled up to his parent’s house, quickly turning off the truck. He glanced at his watch as he swung open the driver’s door. He was eager to catch the first pitch of the Division Series, and if he hauled ass across the driveway, he probably would even have time to grab a beer first. He kicked the door to his truck closed as his phone rang in his pocket. He sighed, annoyed. It was probably his sister adding some sort of nonsense to his list of things to do before she got hitched.
Without glancing at the Caller ID he hit answer on his phone and brought it to his ear.
“Hello?” He said as he hurried across the freshly manicured front yard.
“Hi. Did I call at a bad time?” Cara asked hoarsely, finding her voice buried somewhere inside of her.
Luke stopped mid stride at the sound of her strangled voice. He had spent many nights wondering if she would in fact call him. “No.” He said quickly. “I’m glad you called.” He said and sunk down on the porch steps. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” She said, unsure of herself.
“When did you finish detox?” He asked as he ran his palm along his thigh nervously.
“About twenty minutes ago.” She said honestly.
He couldn’t help the smile if he tried. She had called him and almost right after she was permitted to.
“How long was I in there?” She asked not giving him a chance to respond to her admission.