Babysitter With Benefits

29

Jeremiah's P.O.V

Your phone vibrates and begins to ring. You curse, and hurry out of the room, shutting his door quickly behind you as you pull the phone from your pocket.

"Hello"

You roll your eyes at your soft voice, before moving further away from his door to speak clearly.

"Jeremiah Carter"

You bark into your phone when you're no longer worried about waking your son. The modulated voice answering makes you soften your tone.

"Hello? Mr. Carter? This is Dr. Lawrence. I'm calling in regards to Helena Carter. Is she your wife?"

"We're uh, we're separated."

"Oh. Well she still has you down as an emergency contact"

"Yes, that's fine. Is everything okay?"

Fuck.. she's dead, isn't she

You pinch the bridge of your nose, waiting for the inevitable news. Dr. Lawrence sighs.

"We worked tirelessly through the night, and she is stable"

Stable... she's stable...

You're flooded with relief. Not for yourself. For your children. Clenching your jaw, you begin to interrogate the doctor.

"How long will she have to be there? What happened?"

"Its still a rocky road. So shell be here for a week or so, so as long as she's showing progress"

"Okay"

"She is allowed visitors, but is still unconscious. Its a waiting game to see if she wakes up"

Jesus... I've dealt with her recovery for years. She's never fully made one. Whether she lives from this or not, drugs typically get her in the end.

"Okay. Thank you, Doc"

"Of course. Have a good day Mr. Carter"

"You as well"

You hang up the phone, and let out. Long shaky breath. Your whole body aches with tension as you head back out towards the living room.

Visitors... I don't want the kids seeing her like that. Granted, Rissa already saw her in the midst of an overdose. Maybe it'd be more therapeutic for her to visit her for proof that her mothers still alive.

You fiddle with your phone, dragging your fingers through your hair as you sit on the couch. You stare at your phone contemplatively.

Fuck! Do I take Rissa? Gianna would know. I cant rely on her.. she doesn't work for me anymore.

You toss your phone on the couch, and place your head in your hands. You've never been so unsure of yourself. You always lead by logic. Except, now you don't know if your logic was driven my a false sense of what it means to be a father. A man.

I cant. Not until I'm sure shes going to make it. I don't need to give my children false hope. Fuck.

You twist on your heel, ready to go drown your thoughts with a scalding shower when your phone rings again.

Oh god.

You grab it, frowning when Helena's mothers contact is revealed. You haven't fully seen eye to eye with Helena's parents, but you respect them. They've helped with the children durning the chaos of their daughters addiction.

"Yes, Vivian?"

"Has a doctor called you yet?"

"Yes, one has"

"She's stable. Thank god, shes stable"

"I know,. Vivian. I know"

You don't know how to comfort, especially over the phone. The relief you hear in her voice does little to rid you of the anxiety pulsating in your head.

"Are you going to visit her?"

You're apprehensive to answer. You don't want to offend her, but you don't want to see Helena. You're too passers. She continually puts the children in harms way, and enough is enough.

"I don't think so..."

"Please, Jeremiah. We cannot make it there doe another two hours, and I don't want her to wake alone. Please. From one parent to another."

She's in pain. Pain she doesn't deserve. We all are.

"Fine. I'll go"

You hang up the quick goodbye, and glance around the room.

I'll visit Helena. If only to tell her that I'm done. She isn't going to see the children until i know she's no longer more harmful than good.