Maeve's one fleeting high

4. Hospital and an epiphany pt. 2

It's the next day, which means we get another day before getting another day. It's Sunday and I woke up by my alarm. It's 9 a.m. and I have to be at work at 10. It takes me 15 minutes to walk there so I've got plenty of time to start off my day. 

Usually I'd get out of bed last minute and do everything in a hurry. This time I'm going to make a difference. I'm going to take a shower because I smell bad. I hate showering so doing this really proves my willpower. 

Secondly, I'm going to eat a quick breakfast. I usually skip it but I don't actually have a motive for doing so other than laziness. Just a simple sandwich will make my body love me again. That's enough for now. Let me do that first and then we'll see again.

After finishing the morning routine I'd anticipated, I head out the door and start walking. No one was up yet so I had everything to myself. I put on my EarPods and simply move my legs. Nothing I can improve about this part. 

I walk through the door of the cinema and greet my one colleague behind the counter. As I walk up to our staff room, I make a mental note to be more friendly with my colleagues. I'm known as the one who rarely speaks except for when it's needed. 

I hang up my jacket, put on my name tag and clock in. My job is consistent. I'm a cashier and rarely take up other tasks. I usually work with Mark, which is also the case today. 

I greet him as I secure a hat on my head, but this time... with a smile. 

''Hi, um. Wait, what's your name? I'm supposed to work with Maeve today. Hi, I'm Mark,'' he chuckles. 

''I'm struggling with depression but I don't want to anymore,'' I blurt in his face. I've known him since my first day here and he's the one who always talks and I just listen. So I know I can confide in him. I could've announced it better though. He looks uncomfortably around him and points to himself. 

''Me? You talking to me?'' he asks unsurely. 

I simply nod. ''I'm sorry for dumping this on you in one go,'' I apologize, leaning on the counter. 

''I recently had an eye-opening moment, an epiphany if you will, that made me realize I should work on my depression. I'm not ashamed of it so I don't mind sharing. Unless, of course, it makes you uncomfortable,'' I say ending with a question mark. 

''No, not really. Um, are you sure it's me who you want to share it with?''

''Hey, I have friends. You're not the only one I'm telling. Don't let it go to your head,'' I softly punch his shoulder. He raises his hands in surrender and takes position to tend two customers. I stand by to get them what they need while Mark does the ordering and payment. After we wish them a good time, he faces me again. 

''I'm happy for you, really. I do have to get used to a talking Maeve, though... It's feels like you're somebody else.''

''That's impossible. You're not touching me right now,'' I chuckle but cover it up with a cough, ''Yes, um, I guess this is the old me you're seeing. Isn't the old me fun?''

''Hmm, sure. Random, but fun,'' he concludes. I nod in satisfaction and get to cleaning around us. After three hours we take a break. Usually I buy some food at the tank station located next to the cinema and gobble it up on the porch. Not today! I did go and buy some food over there but I'm eating it in the company of Mark in the staff room. 

I'm not going to lie and say that I'm suddenly a social butterfly. Even though I feel good and I don't think many negative thoughts, I don't think socializing is my strongest suit. After Mark finishes his sentence I ask him a question that's been swarming my thoughts the last five minutes.