"The Cut"

Chapter 35- Prince Percocet

Chapter 35- PRINCE PERCOCET

Fifteen minutes later, Grace pulled into the Vaughn's driveway, her parents and Joey in tow. The yard was recently groomed and the hedges had been trimmed. The pink and purple Pentas were were in full bloom, and by day, Evan's house was even more stunning.

"A perfect night for pics!" was all Grace could imagine. She climbed out of the Jeep and grabbed her purse, her overnight bag and her phone.

 Mariann and Joe Hannity stepped out of the Honda, absorbing every inch of the Vaughn's "mini" estate. Joey nearly fell out of the backseat, insisting he bring a few toys from home. Joe escorted his wife and son behind Grace, who rang the doorbell and waited patiently. She hoped that Evan was being supervised after his most recent text.

"Come in!" welcomed Justine Vaughn, who had also showered and changed.

 She was wearing a floral-print maxi dress and gold sandals that made her look far tanner than the fluorescent lights of the hospital. Her hair was in a twist and she wore gold-hoop earrings. She smiled warmly and winked at Grace.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, Grace. I do hope that our patient is a little less "loopy" than the last time you saw him! But, quite possibly not." she rolled her eyes as they trickled into the front door.

 Joey's eyes widened as he gazed in awe at the tall ceilings, the window and floor treatments and the lovely décor of the first floor. It was exquisite to the onlooker.

"It's nice to see you again so soon, Joey!" Justine brushed her hand over his head. He seemed to cower a bit, but smiled politely. Grace sat her bag down on the bench seat in the hallway and they headed toward the kitchen.

 Steve Vaughn was pouring a soda for Evan and a gin and tonic for himself. Grace was wondering if he'd mind her stealing a few sips when she caught a glimpse of Evan. Her mouth fell.

"Oh, my Gawd. Still a trainwreck !" she thought, turning toward her mother. Mariann Hannity smirked and stared at the floor.

 Evan was wearing clean, black basketball shorts and a blue Under Armor collared tee. His father must have assisted him with a shower, as his blonde locks were still wet. He was very clearly disheveled. Very "un-like" Evan off the field.

 Grace wanted to crawl under the Oriental rug beneath the coffee table when he looked up from his foot which was soaking in an epsom salt bath. His pupils were so heavily dilated, he looked like a raccoon in a blonde mullet as he tried to stand up.

"HI! You're finally HERE!" he yelled.

"Evan! We're all in the same state. Stop shouting." Steve said at once and walked across the room with his soda. "Sit back down and drink your soda. Let your stomach settle."

 He gulped his gin and tonic and smiled at the Hannitys. "Hello, again!" he greeted Grace's parents and Joey, as he entered the kitchen to shake their hands. "What can I get everyone to drink?"

"Do you have Code RED?" Joey beamed, wishful thinking, of course.

 Negative.

"Is that JO-EEE?" Evan over-enunciated the ending in his name. Joey laughed out loud, despite the lecture he'd been given by his parents regarding Evan's drug-induced state.

 He charged over to Evan to inspect the battle wounds.

 Grace followed with his boutonniere, realizing how ridiculous he was going to look. When Evan took a closer look at Grace, she could see a mere trace of the "non-opioid" Evan and silently prayed that the painkillers would wear off before their friends stopped by for pics.