Page 99 of Mortala
Compartmentalizing, as Sadie comes first, her keys jingle in my hand first then from the lock when it unlatches and the door swings open.A quiet woosh is followed by a snick as it shuts and assures me it's closed while on my way to the living area.
Sorrow hovers like a black cloud here, unsettled with the faint metallic scent of her blood.To keep my eye on her, I set Sadie on the couch.I jerk the throw blanket off the armrest and toss it over her.It helps mask the remnants of the hospital that won’t come out of her skin.
I ease her onto her side, then crouch down until my old knees fuss.Eye level now, blue eyes I’ve missed far too much stare past me.Warily, I glance back and hope a crazy bitch isn't standing behind me with IV line and a vendetta.A sigh deflates my lungs when I see nothing and focus back on her.
"Sleep, Sunshine.I'll be here when you wake up."
Leaving the softest kiss at her temple, I draw the hood over her chopped hair and let her hide.
Chapter thirty-three
‘Lias
I'maddingdoctorofficesto my shit list, right beside hospitals.What's the point of setting appointments if you rot in the waiting room for another thirty minutes?Just for the pencil-pusher to finally walk out, call you back, and start the damn thing.
Elias, sometimes appointments run over for various reasons.Be patient.
No.You're allotted a certain amount of time, stick to it.It puts everyone else behind and is inconsiderate all together.While I understand Kensington can't control every variable, Sadie just got out of the hospital a few days ago and is still in crisis.She's more important than'I never got to say goodbye to my goldfish when I was four because Daddy flushed it down the toilet.'
Get over it.
Sadie's tucked under my left arm, hiding beneath the hood of her sweatshirt as tremors crawl through her muscles and vibrate against me.She hasn't said a fucking thing in days.I'm terrified she's locked herself behind an impenetrable wall—out of protection, preservation, whichever.Taking too long to reach her may be far worse than speeding up someone else's appointment process.
Me?I'm glad you asked.
Once calm, collected, and understanding?Heh, right.My anxiety is in the stratosphere, aiming for the rest of outer space.If my right leg bounces harder, Sadie might suffer from some other cognitive damage like...hell, I don't know...shaken baby syndrome?
Information flashes on a TV screen hung across the room.Generic shit, really.Medication peddling, 'talk to your provider' prompts, and a series of questions patients can ask themselves to prepare for their appointment—in two years, because this asshole takes so long.
A door swings open to the left of the receptionist, and a woman comes hauling ass out of it like someone is after her with a pitchfork.Sadie doesn't stir, but I still watch.She's somewhere in her mid-thirties, washed-out hair with faint silver strands hiding among the others, with tissues in her hand and a wiped-red nose.
I take that back, not a goldfish.
Without so much of a backward glance, she's through the main door, letting slam with its broken closer arm.
The shrink should really get that fixed.
"Sadie, Mr.Kensington will see you now," Joanna, his receptionist, speaks.She doesn’t bother to look away from her Sudoku and assortment of gel pens.Bet it's nice to get paid for holding down a chair.I'm tempted to text Mav and see if he can make the same sort of arrangement for me.I'd love to sit around and ignore the people who keep me in business.
Stowing my annoyance, I nudge Sadie the slightest bit then hook a finger into her hood, where I make out one of her exhausted eyes.
"Come on, Sunshine.It's your turn."
She sighs, which I feel more than hear.On my feet, I take her arm to help steady her when she stands.There's a moment of hesitation, which tells me more than she has in days.Seeing her in pain has me raw on the inside.I can't do a damn thing to ease her discomfort, so I suffer along with her.
I hook a knuckle under her chin and tilt until I see faint color in her cheeks and the still-dry skin of her chapped lips.
"I know you don't wanna go in there, but I'll be with you the whole time.In and out.We don't have to stay long either, alright?"
At her nod, we move.Out of the waiting room, through the door and down the hall, then we step into the office before my hands ever leave her.Inside, I guide her onto the sofa and take the seat next to her as surprise blisters across her shrink’s face.
"Hello, Mr…?"he asks with underlying confusion.
"Sullivan."Straight to the point.
"Mr.Sullivan.I apologize.I'm used to meeting with Miss Wilson alone.May I ask why you’re accompanying her?"
"Support.Also—" I lean to the left to dig out the copy of the power of attorney."I can get you an official copy later.For now, this will have to do."
