Somebody That I Used To Know

Trust Me

"Daddy?" Lily says and climbs onto Tom's bed.

"Yes, Lils?" he groans into his pillow.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Resting. Daddy doesn't feel too well."

"Why not?"

"I'm just tired, I had a long day yesterday."

"Let's watch a movie. That might make you feel better."

"Thank you, my love, but go hang out with Mummy. Maybe you and her can go to the park. How's your arm?"

"It doesn't hurt as bad anymore." she says, looking at the fading bruise.

"Is Mummy still giving you your medicine?"

"She told me that she'll give me one tonight to see how bad it is without the stuff. If it hurts really bad though, she'll give me one."

"Do you want to do Daddy a huge favor?" Tom asks.

"Okay."

"Where's Mummy?"

"Outside."

"Outside? Can you bring Daddy the bottle of medicine please?"

"Why? Mummy said that's for me."

"It is for you but your arm hurts, doesn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Well bring me the bottle."

"Okay." Lily shrugs and runs downstairs.

Tom lets out an exhale into the pillow. His head didn't hurt as bad, after the fight about what he was taking, the after effects had seemed to decrease. That made him feel better though, that despite being stuck in this situation, at least he had some choices.

"Here you go."

"Alright. Does your arm hurt really bad? Do you think you need one?"

"I don't know. It hurts."

"We'll put some ice on your arm so it feels better. In the meantime," Tom pops the cap and shakes two pills into his hand. "Put these back exactly where you found them. If Mummy says anything, you tell her that Daddy wanted to see the ingredients. If she asks if I took any, you say no. Do you understand?"

"That's lying. You said that lying is bad."

"Lying is bad but this isn't lying. You should always tell the truth. It's okay to tell Mummy what Daddy says though because I'm your Dad, I only have your best interest in mind. If anyone else tells you to lie, you need to come tell me because that's not good."

"This isn't lying?"

"No, no, it's... it's helping me. Lies are harmful but you're being a huge help to Daddy right now. Okay?"

"Okay. I'll go put it back."

"Thank you, love." Tom smiles. He grabs his water bottle and takes two of the small blue painkillers.

Lily pulls up a chair and puts away the medicine. Molly opens the screen door and walks inside, seeing her daughter opening the cabinet.

"Lily? What are you doing?"

"I..."

Daddy will get in trouble.

"I wanted a snack. Daddy said that I could have some fruit snacks."

"Okay, baby. Let me get them for you, alright?"

It's not lying... it helped.

"Thank you, Mummy."

Molly grabs the fruit snacks for Lillian from the cabinet and sets her up with a bottle of water at the table. "What's your Daddy doing?"

"Resting. He said that he's really tired."

"I'll be right back, alright?"

"Okay."

Molly walks upstairs to Tom lying down. She sits down next to to him says, "I have my shoot Wednesday night. You're not going to be drugged up again are you?"

"No, Molly, of course not." Tom snaps.

"Make sure you're home and not going anywhere. I haven't worked in a few months and this magazine can be big."

"I know, love, I know. Don't worry about it, everything will be fine. I stay home with Lily all the time."

"You used to. I trusted it when you used to but I don't know anymore. I'm scared that you're going to be drunk or... or high or something."

"Now, Molly, why would I do that?"

"It's not like you're making the conscious decision beforehand to get sloshed, you're doing it because you're an addict."

"You make it sound like all addicts are homeless people who steal money for drugs. That's not the case for either of them."

"No, but I have concerns when it comes to the well being of my daughter."

"I'm her father, Molly." Tom groans.

"And I'm here mother. I have every right to be concerned when you're actually like this."

"Acting like this? Now that's just ridiculous."

"Is it? I'll leave you to... whatever it is that you're doing."

"Molly, come on, trust me."

"I'm taking our daughter to the park," Molly says. "We'll back soon."

She slams the door as she leaves.