11:25am
"Good job, Jackson." My doctor rubs my shoulder gently. He hands me a orange bottle of pills.
"Take these when you're feeling..." He searches for the right, but not offensive, word to say.
"Suicidal." I finish for him and grab the bottle.
He nods his head. We shake hands and say our farewells.
Suzy and I hug before I walk to the elevator.
"I had fun treating you." She pats my back gently.
"Thank you." I bow to her with all my sincerity. Her kindness will never leave my heart.
I step into the elevator and watch as my reflection shines on the shiny, silver doors. Black hoodie, black pants, dark eyes, brown hair.
Typical.
The elevator dings open and I step into the lobby. I'm handed a bag of pills by my physical therapist. More medicine for my body to get addicted to.
Disgusting.
I walk out of the hospital building. My eyes land on a familiar figure sitting on the bench near the entrance.
That figure instinctively turns around as I approach him. He greets me with a smile.
"You ready to go home?" Mark asks. His eyes twinkle as he stares at me.
To answer him, I grab his hand and pull him out of the hospital courtyard onto the busy streets.
Mark giggles at my response.
We walk hand in hand to Mark's apartment.
"Welcome to your new home!" Mark spins around in the living room but he trips on the sofa and falls on the ground.
A chuckle rumbles in my throat.
Mark lays on the floor laughing. I attempt to help him get up, but Mark can't control his laughter. His legs wobble as he tries to stand up.
He trips again, this time he falls on me and both of our bodies collide with the floor.
Mark and I both laugh at his antics. This energy is so positive and uplifting, much better than my aunt's house.
"That was too funny." Mark wipes a tear from his eye. He laughed too hard.
I nod my head.
Our eyes meet and instantly, we burst into laughter again.
If someone were to walk in and see us, they'd think we're crazy. Just laughing for no reason.
But for us, this laughter is our happiness.
Our happiness of being together.
