Fate Entwined | ONC 2020

Six | Spilling the Tea

Tara raced home while crying the entire way. Her aching heart, in a jumbled mess, ricochet through her ears. Adam's kiss felt so right and wrong at the same time. Tara's head told her Adam's unexpected smooch was a violation, especially considering his betrayal. But it was her traitorous heart that kept her from pulling away sooner.

Why can't I stop myself from caring about him?

Tara's confusion caused her head to throb as she fumbled with the keys to her front door. Once inside, she stripped of her clothes and ambled towards her shower. The shower head sprung into action, and it wasn't long until the bathroom filled with steam.

The warm water danced over Tara's skin and calmed her sobs slightly, but it did little to ease her massive headache. Not to mention, it did nothing to quiet Tara's screaming heart. She remained under the gentle spray until the hot water was spent.

It didn't take Tara long to pass out in sheer emotional exhaustion. When the alarm sounded the next morning for work, she groaned in frustration. Tara contemplated calling in sick, but she knew they were short staffed.

Suck it up, Tara. The kids need you.

After stalling to get out of bed for as long as she could, Tara got up, popped three ibuprofens, and got ready for work. As Tara hobbled into work, she was greeted by Karen.

"Hey!" Karen smiled brightly.

"Hi-" Tara mumbled.

"Who pissed in your Cheerios?" Karen asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." Tara continued on to her desk and set down her purse and jacket.

"Tara-" Karen whispered, "What's wrong? You really don't look well. Are you getting sick?"

Tara sighed. So I could have gotten away with calling in sick.

"I'm not sick. I just had a rough night," Tara replied.

"I'd say more than a little rough. Your face is all puffy. Are you sure you don't need to go home?"

"Don't tempt me, Karen. Do you know how hard it was to come in here today?"

"Talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I can't. Not right now. If I rehash it all now, I won't make it through the day in one piece." Tara pressed her index fingers to her temples as her headache threatened to return.

"Fine, but after work, you're coming out with me. You'll have a nice drink, and spill all the tea."

Tara rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh, but didn't disagree.

"That settles it then, I'll call Paul and tell him I'll be late getting home tonight." Karen gave Tara a pat on the head before turning on her heels and leaving Tara to her ongoing confoundment.

"Good morning, Melissa. How does the schedule look for today?" Dr. Andrews asked as he strolled into their section that morning.

"Good morning! It's busy as always, Doc. But the good news is, the majority of the patients coming in for today are follow-ups," Melissa replied.

"Sounds good. Thanks, Mel. Tara, good morning."

"Good morning-" Tara mumbled, forgetting to fake enthusiasm for the day.

Chris frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah! Fine! Sorry-" Tara lied.

"Can I see you in my office to go over some charts?"

"Sure. I'll be right there," Tara replied.

Doctor Andrews retired to his office a moment later.