Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Forty

SOUNDTRACK: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel 

"Where's my door?" Kate asked as she walked down the hallway back at home.

Jared leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed his arms. "Your doctor said you shouldn't be alone for a while. So when I feel that I can trust you, you can have it back. I promise."

She paused in the doorway and sighed. "I'm not going to do anything again," she said softly.

He nodded. "I just want to be careful." He turned to the fridge. "Do you want something to eat?" he asked.

They had returned home from the hospital a few hours ago and things were a little awkward. He didn't know exactly what to do. The doctor had said that a swift return to normal activities would help, but he wasn't sure she was quite there yet.

"I guess, sure," she mumbled.

"Did you take your meds?" he asked, pulling a container of fruit salad out.

"Yes," she sighed in annoyance.

"I have to ask," he explained.

He had taken on the sole role of caring for her. Whether it was out of guilt or responsibility, he was determined to fix whatever was broken. He put some fruit into a bowl and handed it to Kate.

She rolled her eyes as he stared at her. "Are you gonna watch me eat, too?" she asked.

He shifted and looked away. "We have an appointment with your therapist at one," he said. She nodded and took a fork out of a drawer. "I'm not sure how it'll work, but your doctor said you should go into therapy for a bit."

She nodded blankly, staring at the tile behind Jared's head. She had reached a point of numbness since her ordeal at the hospital. Jared had been incredibly attentive (almost annoyingly so) and hadn't left her side once. He had even slept in the uncomfortable armchair in the corner overnight. When the doctor and nurses were sure she wasn't going to kill herself, they had allowed her to go home. Jared had Emma bring a bag of clothes by for her and drive them back to the Compound.

He gave the employees the day off at noon so Kate wouldn't feel overwhelmed. He found himself watching her in anxiety, wondering what her next move would be. He didn't mean to stare, but he didn't know what to do next. Therapy was going to be an interesting experience.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Kate asked as they got into the SUV. 

"I had to tell Shayla so she could reorganize things. Stevie was with me," he started the car. "Emma knows, obviously. And my mom. And Shannon."

"How does Shannon know?"

"He's a medical power of attorney in my absence," Jared explained. "Since I was in Joshua Tree, he was the closest family member. He was at the hospital."

"I don't remember seeing him," she replied.

"That's because he left before you woke up," he said. "Hospitals and pills and overdoses aren't really his thing."

Kate nodded, understanding Jared's unspoken words. They drove in relative silence to the doctor's office. When they parked, he was out of the car and opening her door before she had even gotten her seatbelt off. They waited in the waiting room for about ten minutes before a tall, bald man came out to greet them.