It took a minute for my eyes to focus as I slowly cracked them open. Wait a minute, I'm not dead? Shit. Guess I'll have to do a better job next time. I closed my eyes again, not wanting to hear what Cameron and the others had to say about my actions. I was just about to drift off to sleep again when I heard an unfamiliar voice calling my name.
"Mr. Worsnop? Danny, it's time to wake up now. You have therapy soon."
I have what soon? I thought, sighing as I opened my eyes finally to see a strange man standing over my bed.
"Who the fuck are you?!" I said a bit louder than I'd expected.
"My names Trent and I work here at Broughton Hospital." He said as he extended his hand for me to shake.
"Hospital? Why the hell am I in the hospital?" I asked, a little uneasy as to what was going on.
"Danny you were brought in by some of your friends a couple days ago. They said you've been experiencing the signs of a mental breakdown. And that you tried to commit suicide." He told me.
I swallowed hard, trying my best to take in what he'd just said to me.
"I don't remember any of that" I said, taking a few deep breaths.
Trent looked as if he sympathized with me, and shrugged his shoulders. "That's why you're here Mr. Worsnop. Your therapist will help you work through these issues"
I nodded as I looked on the table next to me. "Can I smoke a cigarette?" I asked.
Trent nodded and told me to follow him. "Yeah, we have a smoking area"
I slid on my slippers and followed him out of the room, down a long hallway and out a side door.
I tilted my head, turning my attention at the sky above me. "How long do I have to stay here?" I asked, lighting the thin stick. I inhaled and exhaled the smoke slowly, stepping back to sit on one of the empty chairs.
"Usually it's 72 hours. But since you've been asleep your entire stay, you're looking at at least 3 more days."
I sighed. I hated knowing I was stuck here for three days, but I was hopeful we could figure out what was happening to me.
My eyes diverted down to the band on my finger. Tears filled my eyes as I whispered "I can't believe he's gone."
Trent raised an eyebrow as he turned to me "whose gone?"
I shook my head and took in a deep breath "my husband. He just passed away..." My voice trailed off and I let my eyes slip closed.
"I'm sorry to hear that" he said softly, obviously regretting he'd asked.
I finished my cigarette and put it out in the ashtray on the table. "Thanks" I said as I followed him back inside.
"Dr Murphy is ready for you now." He informed me as we stopped in front of one of the doors.
I nodded and knocked on the door, waiting for permission to enter the room.
"Come in"'the voice on the other end said.
I grabbed the door knob and pushed the door open, stepping inside slowly.
"Mr. Worsnop I presume?" He asked.
I nodded "Danny."
"Alright, come on in Danny and please shut the door behind you."
I did as I was told, taking a seat on the couch across from his desk.
"My name is Steven Murphy. I'm a therapist here and I was hoping you'd feel up to talking to me a little today. " he said.
I nodded. What could it hurt? "Yeah, that's fine" I replied.
"Good. If you'd like to lay down and get comfortable, you can. Whatever makes you feel best." He added.
I leaned back against the pillow, swallowing hard. I wasn't used to something like this. Talking about my feelings and what's going on with me. Guess there's a first time for everything.
"So, Danny" he started, moving his chair around the desk in front of me with his pad and pen. "You were brought in here by an Andy and Cameron. They said they found you unresponsive and empty pill bottles surrounding you. Do you remember any of this?"
I sighed softly and shook my head. "No. I don't remember any of that." I said.
"Alright. Can you tell me what you do remember?" He asked, scribbling something on his pad.
"I remember losing Ben....I remember not believing he was gone. His sister yelling at me. Going to a bridge. Almost jumping off. They stopped me. Had funeral and then I woke up here"
Steven nodded and remained silent as he wrote something on the pad he was holding. I thought this experience would be scary, but it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. He was easy to talk too and I felt comfortable.
"So you lost your husband. How long had you two been married?" He asked.
"We'd been married a few years, but we'd been together almost 7 years all together. He was my best friend. He meant everything to me." I didn't want to cry, but I could feel the tears in my eyes.
"You don't have to be afraid here, Danny. I'm not here to judge you. I'm here to help you. You can tell me anything you'd like and it won't go past this room." He said with a smile.
I liked that idea. Having the option to talk to someone who wasn't involved in my life. Someone I could open up too without worrying if he'd tell or anything like that.
"For some reason I feel comfortable talking to you" I started, turning my head to look at him. "And that's unusual for me"
He took his glasses off and sat them on his desk. "Good. Danny I believe we can get you through this. But it's going to take time. I think even when you leave here you're going to need to come see me. Are you okay with that?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that actually." I said as I slowly sat up, propping myself against the pillow.
"Good. Unfortunately that's all the time we have for today. I'll see you tomorrow though. Have a good night, Danny and thank you for being so cooperative." He shook my hand as I got up from the couch.
I offered him a small smile as I headed back to my room. I was still unsure as to what had happened to me, but I was confident in the possibility of finding out.
