Challenge #48 - Angst
Title: Love and Other Bruises (Parts 32 - 36) Author: Foreverbm Timeline: Season 3 - Post 308 Condoms: 5 to Michael
(32)
The shrill ringing of the phone woke me from a deep sleep. I fumbled in the dark, knocking something off the bedside cabinet before finding the receiver. “Hello” “Mikey?” “Yeah” “You ok…you didn’t call me!” I sat up, realizing instantly that was a bad idea. My head ached and my mouth felt like it was stuffed full of cotton wool. I took a sip of water before answering Brian. “Sorry Brian…I forgot” “Ok. You want me to come over…bring something for breakfast?” The thought of food made me feel nauseous and I wondered if I was coming down with something.
(33)
“No thanks.” “Mikey….you ok?” Am I ok. I couldn’t help but let a laugh escape at his words. Waking up in an empty bed, hearing nothing but silence in our apartment, knowing my thoughts would be on Ben every minute of the day. Wondering if I had made the biggest mistake of my life giving him that choice. Being naïve enough to believe he would chose me over the steroids. “Yeah Brian…I’m ok” I heard him sigh and I knew he didn’t believe me but let it go….for now anyways. “I’ll call you later…and remember, you did the right thing.”
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(34)
I hung up, trying to decide if I wanted to leave the security of my bed and face the outside world. The clock ticked over to 7am and I knew that hiding away was not an option. I needed to get the store open. If Ben didn’t come back, a thought which sent a sick feeling through my body, I would need the money. I gingerly climbed out of bed, knowing sudden movements were something I would have to avoid until the pounding in my head cleared. I opened the curtains to a grey day which matched my mood perfectly. **********************************
(35)
The street was busy even at this early hour. The hustlers, who seemed to have taken up residence in our street, were making their way to wherever they spent their day after a nights work. People everywhere, all with some purpose ahead of them for the day. I gave myself a mental shake. I had to stop this train of thought and get on with my life. Ben would come to his senses, deep down I knew that. I just prayed it wouldn’t take too long. I wasn’t sure how many days and even worse, lonely nights, I could handle.
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(36)
I moved away from the window and gave the room a quick tidy up, picked up the bottle of aspirin from the floor, threw two of them down with a large gulp of water and made my way to the bathroom. The shower cleared my head slightly, just a dull ache behind my eyes remained. I dressed quickly, put my coat on, found my keys and headed out the door. The rain started about half a block from the store and by the time I arrived I was drenched and regretting my decision to leave the comfort of my bed.