Chaos and Control(51)

He exchanges a look with Bennie and motions for me to have a seat. I refuse.

“Your sister is suffering from extreme fatigue.”

“I haven’t been sleeping,” Bennie interjects.

“We’ll keep her overnight for observation, but she should go home tomorrow. You’ll need to keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s getting enough rest. Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine for a while, stay hydrated. I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow morning, Bennie,” he says before leaving the room.

I exhale and fall into the chair beside her bed.

“He called you Bennie. Do you know him?”

“Dr. Devall? Yeah, we went to school together. And we may have once made wild passionate monkey love behind the church during one of Daddy’s sermons.”

“Bennie!” I scold. Preston coughs to cover a laugh. “You dirty, dirty girl.” She gives me a grin, and I know that she’s teasing. “Exhaustion, Bennie? Why haven’t you said anything? I can work the store. You don’t even have to pay me.”

“Oh, Wren. It’s a bitch getting old. Just thought it was part of the process.” I roll my eyes. “Now, you two go on home. I’ll be fine here by myself. I’ll call you tomorrow so you can come get me.”

“No. I’m going to stay with you,” I insist.

She shakes her head and waves her hand with the IV at me. “I’m the patient. I get what I want.”

“I’m the sister, and I overrule the patient.” I stand and prop both hands on my hips, giving her a look that dares her to challenge me. Of course, she does.

“There’s nothing you can do here, anyway. I’m the older sister who overrules the younger sister. I win.”

“Bennie,” I almost shout. “What if something happens? I should be here.”

“Nah. You should be home. If something happens, I’m in the best place for professionals to take care of me. Go water my plants. I’ll see you tomorrow, kid. Final answer. Don’t worry about the store. Keep it closed today and tomorrow.”

“Well, I can stay a couple hours at least.”

“Wren. Go. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m exhausted.” Bennie gives me a know-it-all grin. “I just want to sleep.”

“Fine. Hardheaded old hag,” I say, standing and stretching my arms above my head.

“Smart-mouthed little shit,” she answers.

“Are you sure you’re okay by yourself?” Bennie nods. I bend over and place a kiss on her forehead. “See you tomorrow, sis.”

“Tomorrow.”

Preston leads me out of the room and back toward the exit. He stops twice at wall-mounted antibacterial gel dispensers. Outside, I take a deep breath of fresh air. Preston slides his arm around my shoulders.

“Ready to head back?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”





Panic

My world flipped

Upside down

Furniture above

While feet dodge light fixtures Flashing lights

Flicker through daylight Sirens call out

And then silence

Shiny floors that

Are false in their

Cleanliness

Too many surfaces

Germs cascading over

Every edge of countertop I am chaos

This is how I will die today Then she leans

On me and my disorder And, for once,

I am strong enough

To hold back my demons And hold on to Wren

- Preston





Chapter Sixteen


Supply and Demand


When we get home, I tell Preston that I’m going to take a nap. He is perfect and sweet, doting over me and asking if I need anything. For once, I appreciate someone’s protectiveness. It feels comforting and not confining.

I ask him to come in and take a look at the leaky faucet in my bathroom. It’s annoying, but doesn’t bother me all that much. The truth is, ever since Dylan’s been in contact, the thought of walking into this apartment alone makes me nervous. I am not this girl. I traveled alone for almost three years. I encountered plenty of shady people and dangerous situations, facing all that without a second thought. And now I’m afraid of my own home. I hate that even this far away, Dylan still has control over my life.

I hear the water turn on, then off, on, then off again.

“I can fix this,” Preston calls out from my bathroom. “Just need my tools and a new washer.”

“Thanks,” I say. “Can you fix it later? I really just want to lay down.”

“Of course,” he answers, appearing in the doorway while drying his hands on a clean towel. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He gives me a hug, and it’s exactly what I need. Being wrapped in his strong arms, inhaling his scent of mint and laundry detergent, it soothes me. Preston tells me he’ll check on me later and leaves me standing in the doorway.

I grab an open bottle of red wine from the kitchen counter and pull the decorative stopper out. Tilting the bottle back, I swallow down three large gulps and set it on the table next to the sofa. I don’t even look at what’s on the record player as I turn it on and drop the needle. Instantly, I recognize the sounds of Amos Lee. I throw myself onto the sofa, along with my bottle of wine, and let the easy music and soulful sounds wash over me.