The Vacation Program (ReWrite)

Chapter 3: First Day A Patient

Day 1: November 2nd, 2013

As my taxi pulled up to Jayce's house he stood on the front lawn waiting for me. He was wearing a loose, dark grey shirt that tightened around his arms and at his chest. His hands rested behind his back and he held a smile to his face. My taxi drove up to the roundabout and I propped open my door. I smirked at him, because his smile was infectious.

"Are you ever not smiling?" I laughed.

He laughed back, "I'm trying to stimulate happiness. You can't be happy when you're surrounded by negativity. Welcome to Miami."

He walked to the trunk of the taxi and grabbed my bag and a suitcase and looked at me in disbelief.

"What?"

He chuckled and threw the bag over his shoulder, "Did you bring all of Wyoming with you?"

I slapped his arm and regretted it immediately. His arm was like steel, and he knew it hurt me more to slap him than it did to be slapped. I grabbed my other suitcase and rolled it into the house. The house was open concept with light, pastel colors to keep everything airy.

"Over on your left there is your side of the house. You'll have your own bathroom, bedroom, and an office for anything you need. My side is over here on the right, and the kitchen and living room are neutral ground. So go and unpack your things and I'll be making lunch."

"Oh, that's okay. I ate on the plane."

He rolled his eyes and walked to the kitchen, "No you didn't."

I bit my lip and wheeled my suitcases to my room. I folded my clothes and stacked them into the drawers. I filled my closet with dresses, and organized books on my vanity. My computer was plugged in beside my bed and I scrolled through twitter before there was a knock on my door.

"Lunch."

I looked at my door for a minute before closing my laptop and heading out into the living area. I watched him as he walked back and forth from the counter to the table, setting it out putting out the food.

"Dr.Westbrooke..."

"Autumn, it's Jayce. But you're okay. There's no pressure here. C'mon just sit."

I sat at the table and Jayce poured me a smoothie and sat a serving of mixed greens and spaghetti squash on my plate. I looked at him in confusion.

"You know, they outlawed force feeding like, a really long time ago?"

He sat across from me and started eating his food, "You don't have to eat, just eat if you want to. As much or as little as you want."

He continued to eat and I pushed my food around. I took small bites here and there, but ended up not even eating a fourth of the plate. Once Jayce was done, he started to clean the dishes, and after some time I joined him. I grabbed a wet cup and started to dry it as I leaned against the counter.

"Hey, thanks for not putting any pressure on... you know eating," He looked up at me and smiled, "I know it's your job, but still, it helped."

"I'm glad I could help."

"So, tell me about yourself."

"Well, I was born and raised in Wyoming by my mom and my dad. I finished high school three years early and went into college at the Stanford University at 14. I dated a few girls, nothing really went anywhere for various reasons. But this year I opened my practice after 11 years of school, and everything's been going good. Tell me about you."

"Where do I even start?" I laughed, "Well, I was born 18 years ago today. And in those eighteen years I've graduated from high school, had a boyfriend that I regret, and did some other stuff."