Forces Beyond The Grave

9.2

In those words, her recent shift in emotional ability made it easier for Lennox to understand that Will was right. 

She tried her best to stay composed. "When did it start?" 

"About 6 months after you disappeared. At least, that's when I found out about it. I'd seen differences in him, the way he was acting, and working. We did a surgery together, he was shaking, sweating, he couldn't see straight. Almost cost a patient their life. He had me take over, I finished the surgery and went to find him, make sure he was okay. I found him in the bathroom throwing his guts up. I tried to convince him to see someone, a therapist at the hospital, anything to help him get over losing you, but he refused, said he could handle it, but I couldn't trust his judgement in the hospital, so I told him if he didn't take some time off to get himself help then I'd have to go to the board. He begged me not to turn him in, and I was never gonna do it. He's my friend, I couldn't watch him lose anything else, but I couldn't let him keep working, so he agreed he'd take three months off and the board gave it to him; proper time off to grieve and get back on his feet, get clean. He was off for six months, that's how long it took him to get clean, but he was better, he came back to the hospital better than ever, I thought he was doing okay. Apparently I was wrong."

He had an expression on his face that Lennox recognised as guilt, which made her frown. "You feel guilty. Why?" 

"Because I wish I would've done more. Checked in, to make sure he was doing better. I should've done more." 

"You're helping now. I'm sure he'll appreciate that. Even if he doesn't, I do." Lennox looked at her father as Will turned his gaze to her. 

After a few seconds she shook her head. "I don't know how to deal with this. I mean I do, medically, I know what I'm supposed to do. But emotionally? You might be better equipped than I am. I want to be there for him but I can't do this by myself." 

"You don't have to. Whatever you need okay?" 

"Okay."