Troubled | alex turner

eleven

autumn chloe radford

"AUTUMN! What the actual fuck are we doing here?" Mum shouts, looking straight up at me as she sits impatiently in the waiting room alongside my father, her foot rapidly tapping against the hospital's floorboard.

Mum and Dad were sober for the first time in ages. I drove them to Main city Boston, all the way from Kingston. It was an hour drive, and they had passed out, of course, so I took them and arranged an appointment. They're both going through horrible withdrawal symptoms.

That means that Mum will be swearing and continuously complaining about a headache, and Dad will be hearing and seeing things weirdly. That's what happens when they fuck themselves over.

"Keep your voice down, Karen," I whisper. "This is a public waiting room."

"Aw, that's lovely dear," My mum says sarcastically. "What I'd like to know is why I'm in a fucking public waiting room with a bunch of low class dickheads, instead of being in my own god damn living room with a bottle of vodka," She spits angrily.

"You know what, Mother? We are very, very close to being one of those low class dickheads because there's more alcohol then actual oxygen in your blood. We're here so we can finally get rid of your addiction. I'm sick of it. I'm so very sick of it."

"Why'd you think we drink sweetheart?" My mum smirks sickly, "We're sick of you. We drink so we can finally get rid of you. I'm sick of you. So very sick of you."

"I'd keep my mouth shut, Karen Arabella," I smirk back, but I felt like fucking crying. I cannot believe my mother is actually treating me like shit.

"You might be a toughie to the others, Autumn Chloe. You ain't anything to me though," Mum says, and her Southern accent kicked in a little bit more then.

"I'm not meant to be a toughie to you, mom. I'm meant to be your fucking daughter. It's been a few years since I've felt like that," I say, rolling my eyes, and walking to the counter.

A receptionist stands behind a desk, in front of me. "Hello, Miss. How can I help?" She smiles. My eyes flicker to her name tag. Isabelle. She's dressed awfully neatly, her dark curly hair scraped back in a ponytail, revealing her dark skinned face. She's very pretty to be honest.

"My appointment was scheduled with Dr Hunter, which was supposed to be a half hour ago. Why am I not in there?" I ask.

Isabelle blinks, and types a couple of things into her Dell computer. "I'm sorry, Dr Hunter had to leave for an emergency."

I roll my eyes. Fucking great. "As if this isn't an emergency," I whisper under my breath. Exhaling, I try to find some sort of solution. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"Of course, Ma'am," Isabelle responds politely, "What is your name?"

"The appointment is for Karen Arabella Radford and Michael Colin Radford," I responded.

After a couple seconds of harsh clicking, she speaks again. "Dr Penny is available for the same consultation you require," She smiles. "Would Mr and Mrs Radford like to see her?"

"Mr and Mrs Radford don't even know what they require. Arrange something with her please. Where's her room?"

Isabelle gulps. "Down the hall, your third left."

Nodding, I walk off to find mum and dad, and they both smell like vomit. Why am I not surprised? Sighing, I tell them to follow me.

They stumbled behind me unwillingly to Dr Penny's office. I hope that this is finally the beginning of their treatment. They really have a potential to die, and I've got to prevent that. How am I going to sleep every night knowing that I haven't done everything I can? I don't know.

I open the door, and my jaw threatens to drop. It's Dr Penny, alright. It's Dr Penny Turner, and a little Alex Turner is sitting right in front of her.

I swallow. Alex's wide brown eyes are looking directly at me, and I do not like it. "Must be the wrong room," I shiver, and turn my back to close the door.

"No it isn't!" Penny's slightly squeaky Sheffield accent fills the room, causing me to spin round. "I need to meet Mr and Mrs Radford."

"Here they are. Come on," I say dragging them to the office and sitting mum down.

"I need you to leave now, Alexander," Penny orders.

'Alexander' stands up, and I then sit dad down. "Alex, hurry up then! You said you would leave when my patients arrive," Penny scolds.

He's still looking at me. It's almost as though I'm the person he's talking to. As though whatever he's doing is aimed directly at me. He gave out that sort of vibe. "A lot of people say things that they don't mean," He says coldly, and I widen my eyes.

I cannot believe he said that, especially now. He's still hurt over this? Talk about fucking clingy. His mother is literally right there, and he couldn't wait. Like, hello? My problems go beyond feeling sorry for hurting your little teenage heart. I couldn't give a crap.

You know what I do give a crap about? My fucking parents who are very close to dying.

I look away from him, and he chuckles quietly. "See you tonight, mum," He says, and the next thing I hear is the door shut.

"Okay, then," Penny exhales, before sitting down and getting some sort of clipboard. "Why are Mr and Mrs Radford here today?"

"They're addicted to alcohol," I breathe. "This is the first time they've been sober in years."

Penny nods. "Oh my," she says, and circles a few things on the clipboard. "What type of alcohol do they consume?"

"Mostly vodka and wine," I reply.

Penny pushes her reading glasses up to the bridge of her nose. "What has this done to their financial status?"

I chew on my bottom lip. "We can afford whatever treatment, don't worry. I've got some money saved from a part time job."

"A part time job doesn't cover that much, dear," Penny says politely.

"I said I've got it covered," I say, staring straight at her.

She nods. "From what I've heard, they've been drinking for a long time, and although their withdrawal symptoms are quite mild, they will grow with time. Your parents have to be admitted here. They will be allowed very small portions of alcohol to start them off, and with time we will decrease the dose and move them to medication. I need you to stay here whilst I sort out some arrangements for Mr and Mrs Radford."

Penny dials a few numbers, and before I know it, Mum and Dad are whisked out to do a few tests before being admitted. It's actually such a relief to have them admitted. I feel as though that they're in professionals' hands, who know more about this then I do.

I'm so fucking mad at myself for not doing this earlier.

"Okay, Autumn. It's sorted," Penny smiles.

I breathe out. "Okay, thanks," I say,and as I'm about to stand up, Penny's hand is on top of mine. I raise my eyebrows. "Is something wrong?"

"I need to talk to you too, Autumn," Penny states, and I nod. "I would like you to know that you're very, very strong to be doing this all by yourself. I can't even begin to imagine what a toll this must have taken on your life-"

"What's your point, Pen?"

She widens her eyes at my informality. "I'm offering whatever you need, Autumn. Despite the fact your parents are merely my patients, You've been a friend of Alex's-"

"Not a friend. I've known him," I reply bluntly.

"I'm here for you. I can arrange therapeutic sessions, financial aid, anything you like Autumn. I never want a child to go through this."

"Nice of you to offer, but I'm fine, thanks," I smile, and stand up but she stops me again.

"What is it now-"

"What have you done to Alex?"