A/N: I've had 90% of this chapter done for ages, and finally got around to finishing it lol. Life's busy. I'm doing my best not to give up on this story though! I still have many a plot plans to go 😅 Anyway, enjoy!
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Brooke
It's been a long time since I've been as vulnerable with anyone as I was with Endo yesterday evening. It honestly surprised me how affected I was by what happened at the diner. It's not really been that long since I last was in the room with someone as their heart stopped, although it's a whole different situation out in the real world and basically alone to deal with it.
And considering the nature of the event, I was particularly triggered by witnessing another overdose. It was obviously a very different situation, but in that moment I still felt like that 13 year old girl, helplessly watching a life fade out.
I'm just glad my training took over my body, even as my heart struggled to grasp the situation. Endo was right, I did save that man's life. I was just also reminded how it was so unfair that no one was around to save Naomi's.
I've long since come to terms with the circumstances of her death and the role I played. The grieving and failure at coping took away several years of my life, but eventually I came through. I grew up, I moved on, I made something of myself in spite of it all. And yet, here I am, starting over with nothing to show for it. With a new set of trauma and once again failing to cope as I should.
I shake my head to dismiss my spiraling thoughts and pull out my phone to check the time. When I do, I realize I had my notifications turned off. I see a text from Charlotte telling me to take the day off, which is good timing considering it is somehow already 11 and I would've had to leave soon.
I've also got a missed call from Ezra. I think about ignoring it, not feeling very social today and facing the wrath of a slight hangover from last night's attempt at processing what happened yesterday. I decide he's probably worried, though, so I return the call.
He answers immediately, "Hey. You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry I missed your call earlier. I slept in and had my sound off."
"It happens. What are you doing today? Todd said he's covering the diner."
"I don't know, probably nothing." I say, adding to myself: the same as most days when I'm not working.
"Well," Ezra says, drawing out the word, "How about today instead of moping around, you actually let me take you to do something fun? Feel some sunshine instead of the doom and gloom? Or at the very least we can just go eat our feelings away?"
"I think I've earned every right to mope as I please." I say indignantly, "But maybe that's not such a horrible idea." As much as I hate to go out these days, it has been a while since just Ezra and I have done anything together.
"Oh," His tone is slightly shocked sounding, "Wow. Has the Queen of No just agreed to go somewhere with me?"
He knows how to make me feel guilty, even if he is just joking. "Hey, I literally just went out with you to the football game Friday." It's a feeble attempt to defend my recent behavior.
"Okay, fair. So Brooke's doing things now. Good, my evil plan to make you better is working."
"Shut up. What time do I need to be ready?"
"Uh, I should be leaving the funeral home in like an hour. Is that enough time?"
"Sure. See you then."
YOU ARE READING
Broken Roots
General FictionAfter moving back to the small town of her childhood, Brooke spends most of her time working at Ida's Diner. It's a decent place to work, she doesn't expect it to change her whole world. At least, she didn't, until one customer who frequents the res...
