Wreck

The Day After

I had seven missed calls from Mike when I woke the next morning and one voicemail. I dialed the number to listen; *hey, man, where'd you get to? I've been at the hospital all night with Bill. I know you guys didn't leave it all that great, but it'd be nice if you came down to show some support. Anyway, call me back as soon as you get this, I'm worried about you, man.*
I deleted the message and got up. I didn't bother with food, just called a cab and made my way back to the hospital.

"Tré!" Mike hugged me when he saw me walk up to Billie's room (he was getting a cup of water from reception), "where have you been?"

"At my house, asleep." I replied, wincing at the pain Mike's grip was causing in my neck.

"Sorry, your neck still hurting?" He released me.

"Yeah, only when I move it though."

He nodded. "You know... I think Billie would feel better if he had some company?"

"He doesn't want to see me, Mike. He made that pretty clear yesterday."

"He might be different today. Come on, you need to sort this out. He's feeling better today."

I agreed to see Billie again, but once in the room I stood further away from the bed than Mike, and didn't look at my friend.
"Bill? Is there anything you want to say to Tré?"

Billie didn't say anything. He didn't move, he didn't even make eye contact with me, just lay there looking miserable.
Mike looked at me and shrugged a shoulder.
I couldn't take being in the room any longer-the air was thick with frustration and awkwardness. I had to breathe again.

I burst out the door, exhaling loudly and finding a chair to rest on while I dragged my thoughts together. Mike was close behind and by my side in a flash.
"Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry, dude, I thought he'd respond better today."

"Yeah, well he didn't, did he." I said, fighting back tears that were trying to blind me.

"I'm sorry. He'll come round, you'll see, soon you'll be looking back and laughing at this."

I shook my head. I wasn't counting on it... Billie had sulked with me before, but it was nothing like this. Usually it would only last a matter of hours, this was something else...
"I think I'm gonna go. Give me a call if anything changes." I got up slowly from the chair and shuffled away. I wasn't in the mood for any of this anymore... I didn't know what I was going to do for the next few days without my friends, but I knew it was going to be lonely. I just hoped I didn't mope around the house too much otherwise I'd end up feeling worse...