Studio 22 | Mary-Kate Olsen

Chapter Fifty-Five

August 4th 2023 - Brooklyn - The Brooklyn Hospital Centre

"We're really happy with his progress." A huge weight fell from my chest and I felt like I could breathe again. I took the day off work to go to a group and then come to Sage's Doctors appointment. "The medication will be a lifelong thing, and you'll have to be careful with what you put into your body." Meaning, no drugs or alcohol or toxins in any form. "But for now we don't think you need a kidney transplant." I smiled to myself, I was glad he was okay. For now at least.

"Have you had any thoughts about treatment centres?" The doctor asked and we all looked at Sage. We couldn't force him to go. Papi was going to pay for it, Mami tried her best to convince him the whole time he's been recovering. "I don't wanna go." You have got to be kidding me. As soon as he leaves this hospital he's gonna go back to our apartment, he's gonna hang out with his old friends and he's going to repeat this. He's been doing so well, he's been sober since he's been in hospital. They had used medications to reduce his withdrawal symptoms but now he's on nothing. He's back and he's doing so well. "Sage, I think you should think more on the matter." "It's a waste of time."

"A waste of time?" I questioned dropping his hand and looking at him dead in the eyes. My face clearly showed my annoyance. "Come on, Blue be for real." "No, what's been a waste of time is sacrificing everything for you! Sleepless night, leaving my girlfriend to be here with you to make sure you're okay, alive, sane, sacrificing my career!" "I told you to go!" I shake my head. I couldn't believe him! "You're a waste of my time." I said it and I regretted it but it was out there now and anger was fueling my words. "You have forced us all to give up so much! We have been through hell with you! And you want to give up now? Because it's not worth it? It's not worth living your life? What the fuck Sage!" I was seething with anger, I couldn't keep it contained. He always does this. We get to a good point with him and he gets backtracks. When is he going to see the severity of the situation he has gotten us all in? "You're sleeping with your boss, your career is just fine." Everyone has been saying this... At first it was a joke Cam made, the other interns laughed. It was funny. And then it was occurring more often, by different people. I didn't find it so funny anymore. I really didn't find it funny when my family shot it at me, as if I hadn't earned my position. I work hard for what I've achieved. Yes, I was lucky. MK wears my designs to events and her sister asked me to design her a dress once and I was mentioned in the tabloids but I worked hard. I still had talent. I still put in all the hours. I wasn't handed it.

"Mateo, Sofia, stop." Mami warned. "I'll come back." The doctor excused himself clearly uncomfortable by our childish outburst. "Sage this isn't an easy choice, we get that." Mami tried with him. "No you don't because it's not your life. You don't get it because you've not gone through it." "That's unfair Sage, we've been there with you through all of this." Mami defended. "She took off for Iraq, killed her girlfriend and friends and then came back and slept with the first person she could and ditched me again! You and Papi are living your life with your perfect little girl and I was discarded because I was in pain." He was lashing out because he was scared, I got that but it didn't make his words hurt any less than they were right now. "You weren't discarded because you were in pain, you were warned and offered a helping hand. You slapped it away and made your choice. You discarded us." Papi clarified. "Not how I remember it."

"You don't remember much of anything." I mumbled turning from his bed. "What was that?" "I said you don't remember much of anything." I turned back to face him when I had walked a few paces away. "I remember you killing your girlfriend." I couldn't deny what I believed as true. "I remember you beating me." I shot back tears springing to my eyes as I remember the nights I was in the corner of the kitchen curled up in fear as I tried to protect myself from the monster my brother had turned into. He may not remember his aggressive outburst but I do. I remember calling Felix as I barricaded myself in the bathroom for him to come over and help. I remember laying on the floor in the hallway as a ringing sound echoed in my head after too many hits from my darling brother. I remember assessing myself to see if that was the blow that would cause my injuries from the accident to worsen. I remember hiding bruises with makeup and lying to my friends. I remember crying in Jazz's parents house too scared to go home. I remember sitting as things got thrown over my head whilst he completely lost it. I remember the lies I told and the relationships I almost ruined. I remember it all. It's all burnt into my memories forever, they play on a loop when someone raises their voice at me, flashbacks from those dreaded nights. I wished I didn't remember the nightmare I was living.