Do
I leave the door unlocked? I
thought it irresponsible, but didn't know what else to do. I closed
the door behind me when the decision was made for me. From the upper
deadbolt dangled a key with a masking tape lable reading, “To Ben”.
I turned the key, jammed it into my coat pocket, and went looking for
the nearest bus or train stop.
I wasn't hungover, but I couldn't light up a cigarette either. My body didn't want it. It wanted a shower on it and some water in it. A bus came and took me to my normal stop.
The first thing to do when I got home was plug in my phone, then clean up. I tried to think of how I would explain my night to Thom, but my shower wasn't long enough. When I had dried off and brushed my teeth I remembered that I only had last night outfit and yesterdays suit to choose from. Suit it was, but this time with a tie. Then I switched on my phone.
Buzz.
Pause. Buzz.
Pause.
Buzz,
buzz, buzz. Each
a notification of missed messages. I tapped and navigated to my
inbox.
Thom:
Thom:
She
said yes. Talk to you in the morning. Tell me all about Casey n the
morning. Good luck.
Unknown:
Missed
call from Unknown; 12:01 AM
Unknown:
Missed
call from Unknown; 12:03 AM
Unknown:
Missed
call from Unknown; 12:04 AM
Thom:
Missed
call from Thom; 12:04 AM
Thom:
This
is Carla. Where are you. Thom is unconscious and at the University
Hospital. Come here. Call me.
Thom:
Missed
call from Thom; 12:08
Thom:
Why
can't I reach you! Where are you! I'm scared! I need you here!
Thom is not breathing. Call me. I hope you're on your way. I
don't know what to do.
Thom:
Missed
call from Thom; 12:10
Unknown:
Missed
call from Unknown;
Unknown:
Carla
again. What the fuck. Get over here right now. I can't do this alone.
This isn't a joke.
Unknown:
He's
stable. Unconscious. A coma. No haemorrhaging. I'll be here tonight
and all day tomorrow. I love you. Come here now.