The Healing Process (L.T)

25

Laurent sat still and quiet at Larry's bedside, his eyes tracing over the green pixelated lines that monitored Larry's heartbeat. It felt surreal to be in the hospital for a loved one, let alone for Larry. He cried in his car for about ten minutes before he actually went inside, but the tears were still as evident as they were then. Ivy was at school now, and he planned on going in late; 1. he wanted to make sure he covered his tracks with Ivy, and 2. he wanted to spend some much-needed time with his brother before going back to work. He was still reminiscing on his time with Ivy last night, and he couldn't seem to wipe the smile off of his face at the thought of her. She definitely took his mind away from everything, even the temptation to drink his feelings away, and for that he was more than grateful. Today, though, he needed to make sure Larry was good. He still hasn't told Ivy what really happened that day, and he didn't plan to until Larry woke up. His chest was rising and falling steadily, a part of his heart warming when Dr. Hopkins told him he was breathing on his own. At first, Laurent felt it was too good to be true. Now that he was there with his brother, he was grateful he got to see him alive.

Larry looked so peaceful on that bed; his eyelids relaxed as hopefully he got some much-needed rest. The doctor took him off of the sedatives once his brain activity returned to normal, and they put him on pills for his epilepsy. Dr. Hopkins confirmed that he was diagnosed after the overdose, and he could only wonder how Larry would react to that when he woke up. 

If he is off the medicine, then he will wake up soon. Be patient, Laurent.

Dr. Hopkins also told him that Larry would need to complete rehab when he was better to avoid jail time. When the cops investigated the case, they knew Melissa already because of her previous run ins with the law; Laurent was more shocked than they were. When it came to Larry, Laurent told them that Larry was trying to get off of it, which was the truth, but Melissa kept dragging him back. Fortunately, with her track record, they didn't even question his statement. Laurent was more than okay with the thought of rehab as well, and he made sure to keep a tab on Larry once he was fully recovered. 

Sighing, he looked down at Larry, tears prickling his eyes. "I know you want to quit. I don't blame you for this, brother. I can't. I just know I blame myself for not being here for you. I was not there when you needed me, so you...turned to Melissa. And that bitch..."

Laurent sobbed a little and he held his head down, allowing his tears to fall onto his lap. They soaked into his jeans, and he ignored the feeling of the small wet spots, looking back up at his brother.

"She could have killed you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I lose you, it will be no point for me to go on. Your life is my life. I don't even drink yesterday because something tell me it was not worth it. The taste of the alcohol, the hangover, the pain that stay inside me no matter how much I drink... it's not worth it, Larry. maybe it was you, though. Maybe you tell me to stop it... and I did, brother."

He wiped his eyes before reaching for Larry's hands squeezing it tight. He was taken back when he felt Larry squeeze back, and his eyes shot right up to his brother's face. Larry's eyes were still closed, but his hand didn't release Laurent's.

"Can you hear me?" Laurent asked, hoping for a response. He got nothing, and his sadness began to tug at his heartstrings.

Then, an idea popped into his head.

"Brother," Laurent said quietly. "If you can hear me, squeeze my hand as hard as you can."

Laurent waited for a few seconds, even though they really felt like minutes. A sigh left his lips when he didn't get anything this time either. He went to release his hand before something made him halt. Laurent felt Larry's hand release his before squeezing it again, a little tighter this time. Laurent broke down into a fit of sobs and he rested his head on Larry's arm, shaking his head slowly.