Such A Beautiful Disaster

Part 34

I had five days left. The days were getting easier, I’m not sure why. I think it was a composite of a few things. One, avoiding Aaron wasn’t a problem anymore because he didn’t want to be around me either. He didn’t want to risk getting kicked out. Two, I had been allowed out for two outside meetings. Breathing fresh air made everything seem a little brighter. Three, Jeremy had let me hang out in his office twice more. I had fun just shooting the shit with him. I didn’t feel so alone. At the same time, I got this weird feeling that Jeremy was holding something back. Like there was something he wanted to tell me but was afraid to hurt my feelings or something. The last thing was the fact that I was getting out soon. I think knowing that I would be home in just five days was like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel. I was scared, no doubt about that, going back into a world I didn’t seem to conform to. But I really had real hope this time, unlike any of the previous times.

Jeremy was off today so I just focused on my groups, finishing off my last Topic. During free time I either drew or looked over all the notes I had taken and handouts I received since I had gotten here. There was a new girl on the unit, a few years older than me, and I tried to strike up a conversation with her. Mostly out of sheer boredom. She really wasn’t open to it. I could tell she didn’t care about me and resented being in treatment. It totally got that, obviously, so I just let her be. The only thing she had been interested in hearing was what Jeremy was like, since that was who she had gotten as a counselor.

Finally all the groups were over, and we had free time until 11:00 when we had to be in our rooms. This was the time when we got to make out phones calls. We each got a designated time slot when we signed up for the phone in the morning. So when 9:00 rolled around I made my way to the payphone, thankful that whoever had there time before me actually got off when they were supposed to. I was calling Lynn to let her know that I was going to see my doctor in a few days and he was going to allow me to work again. I hoped that this way she could get me back on the schedule right away.

I dialed the number to Luigi’s. my heart started pounding in my chest. I was nervous. I think part of me was worried that at any point they would find out the truth about why I was gone and I’d be screwed.

Krista’s familiar voice answered on the other end. “Luigi’s. How can I help you?”

“Hey girl. It’s Molly. What’s been up?”

Krista let out a sigh of frustration. “Chick when are you coming back? It’s been hella hectic and these newbies that they hired aren’t reliable at all. I’m goin’ crazy try to pick up the slack around here. We need you back. For real.”

“That’s what I was calling about,” I told her. I felt bad that she was stressed but seriously relieved that I was missed. “the doc is about to sign the papers saying I can work again. I’ll be back on my feet in five days. I wanted to let Terri and them know so I can get back on the schedule.”

“Thank friggin god,” she replied. “I can finally take a breath soon. Hold on a sec and let me get Terri. She’s on tonight.”

“Okay,” I said, but all I heard was muffling as Krista was calling to Terri.

After a minute Terri came on the line. “So you’re ready to come back to work, huh?” she greeted me.

“in five days I’ll be good to go,” I told her.

“Awesome,” Terri said. “it’s been crazy around here. It’s a relief knowing we got you coming back.”

“Thanks,” I replied, really happy that there was going to be a warm welcome for me.

“Five days from now…let’s see...is that Wednesday? Yeah. Okay well are you gonna be ready to work Wednesday night. I want to get you back on mornings but right now it’s the new kids working nights that we’re having a problem with.”

Damn I guess they really did need me. “hell yeah I’ll be ready to work. I’m so over not being able to do anything but sit on my ass,” I told her.

Terri laughed at that. “Good. Good. Listen, call me Wednesday morning to let me know everything’s still good to go, okay?”

“Yeah, of course,” I assured her.

“Cool. Okay, well have a good night Molly. Can’t wait to have you here again.”

“Thanks Terri,” I told her.

We said our goodbyes then hung up.

I was so relieved. Everything would be back on track. As soon as I got out of here I would go right to work. At least I’d have the first day out covered. I know RC wanted to see me. I figured he would stop by when I get to my house and then we could chill on Thursday. I was smiling, so excited, because things seemed to be getting back to normal. At or at least as close to normal as a girl like me could get.