All I Want

withdrawal | 20

•Eldon•

I watch as Emily applies an ice pack on West's face. It got bruised from where James hit him on the head.

We had no choice but to tie James down on his chair and it pains me so much to see him thrashing around.

I glance over the room to see Riley choking back sobs as she watches James in his state. I know he wouldn't want her to see him like this.

It's happened before; withdrawal.

The first time James started drinking heavily, West and I took all his alcohol away. We wouldn't know that it would end up this badly.

"We need to wean him off his drugs..." I whisper, "He'll go through his withdrawal symptoms otherwise,"

Riley looks at me, "But I thought-"

"No Riley! You thought but you didn't know!" I snap loudly and then immediately take those words back.

I sink to the floor and start crying. I miss him so much, seeing James like this is so heartbreaking. I miss my best friend so much.

Emily gets up from West and sits down next to me on the floor, wrapping her arms around me.

Right now, the only person who is keeping it together is Emily.

"I'll go down and buy some different strengths of beer so gradually we can try and get James to wean off it and as for the cigarettes... we'll limit them as best as we can just like the alcohol," Emily says firmly

Everyone nods and I glance at James finally asleep in the chair.

"I better get going before he wake up," Emily grabs the keys to the truck and heads out.

West gets up and heads back to the room. I also decide to get up and take a seat at the kitchen table.

I observe Riley silently as she makes her way to James. She gently touches his cheek and then his hair, wiping her tears away.

"Hey, James. I know right now you're not the strong boy I met back when we were kids so I'll be strong for you," She whispers softly and kisses his forehead which is beaded with sweat.

I get up and grab a cloth, soaking it in cold water and pass it to Riley. She nods in thanks and cools James down with it.

I reach over the cupboard and grab a bar of 65% cacao. I tear it open as I watch her talk to James.

My phone rings and I accept the call and place it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I ask

"Hey Eldon, it's Stephanie," A voice comes through

"Steph! Hey, how's Los Angeles?"

"It's great actually, I'm coming back to Toronto for the summer and we were hoping to hold an A-troupe reunion. You live with West and James, right? So make sure they come as well," She says cheerfully

I glance over to James sleeping in his state, "Well, uh, send me a text for the date and time and we'll see if we can make it,"

"Great, see you then hopefully, Eldon," Stephanie replies

"Oh wait, you don't have to call Riley or Emily. I'll tell them," I add

"Okay sure, thank you,"

I turn off my phone and Riley looks at me curiously but I just shrug dismissively. I'll tell everyone later.