California Gold

Chapter 2 // Oxycodone

Jack opened his eyes.

Machines filled the hospital room with a gentle hum. Fluorescent lights made the room seem cold and clinical- apt, he supposed. A portrait of a beach was hung adjacent to his bed, but it was nothing special. Installed in an attempt to make the room feel more like home, the Target reprint did just the opposite. Jack turned to look out the window, and realized his neck hurt.

In an instant, he had a realization- he was alive . Everything about the night before was fuzzy- the steak for Charlie, the pills in the glovebox, the belt around his neck, then lights out. But he knew he was alive, and he knew he was in a hospital bed, and he knew it meant out there, somewhere, Ally was waiting for him.

"You're not supposed to move your head, bud," Bobby's voice filled the room. His brother sauntered over, his dark eyes grave. "Nice to see you awake- it's been what, three days now?"

Tears welled in Jackson's eyes and then he was crying. "I'm sorry, Bobby," he whimpered. "I'm so sorry."

"I know," Bobby's voice cracked and he sat on the edge of Jackson's bed, running his hand over his brother's greasy hair. Biting back tears, Bobby brushed a piece of hair out of his younger brother's face. "Why'd you do it?"

Jackson's tears began to subside. "I'm ruining her life, Bobby."

"This isn't how you fix things, Jack," Bobby shook his head somberly.

"Where is she?"

"Home," Bobby nodded. "They called her dad and he drove up to be with her, keep her company while you're down," Bobby bowed his head. "From the looks of things, you'll be down for a while. They found drugs in your system, Jack."

Jack stared back at his brother unblinking, unfeeling. Emotion pumped through Bobby's veins. "Why? You were four months clean. Four months," he shrugged. "Did you try and kill yourself because you took the pills, or did you take the pills because you were gonna try and kill yourself?"

"Bobby-"

"I know. I know," Bobby ran a hand across his grim face. "Not helpful."

The elder Maine brother stood up then, and a nurse entered the room. "Nice to see you awake, Mr. Maine," Jack smiled at her, and Bobby sat down on the sofa opposite the bed. The nurse approached Jack, checking his vitals. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I just got hit by a fuckin' semi."

"You hit your head pretty hard when the belt snapped," Jack laughed, and the nurse looked at him, confused. "I'm sorry?"

"Of course the fuckin' belt snapped," he scoffed.

The nurse looked over at Bobby, whose expression matched her own. She shook it off and continued. "Your vitals look good. Are you up for visitors?"

Jack looked at her worriedly. "Like who?"

"Your brother had a specialist flown in to discuss treatment options moving forward. Counseling, rehabilitation, et cetera," the nurse's eyes flicked to Bobby for a moment, "and your wife called. She said she'd like to visit."

My wife, Jack thought, and suddenly his mind erupted in color. Ally had that effect on him. She was a light in the darkness, a path to salvation- a beautiful creature that had the misfortune of stumbling into his fucked up trainwreck of a life.

"I'll see the counselor," Jack gulped, trying to stifle a crack in his voice, "but I don't want Ally here."

"Jack-" Bobby interjected.

"I don't want her to see me like this," Jack snapped back, and Bobby stared at him with eyes open wide. "Bring in the fuckin' therapist, but I don't want Ally anywhere near this shithole."