Greetings and salutations! I hope your week is going well. Sorry I have not updated in a while (I feel like I say this too often). I got a new job and my computer has been on the friz so this is the first time I have been able to sit down and write for the first time in a while. Thanks for your patience!
Love Eden
Kevin really didn't like Dr. Mendez's office. It was too stuffy and full of books that condensed down the human condition. He was a very private person when it came to how he felt and this space was meant to pry into his life. This wasn't the first time Kevin had been in this room but the feeling before was the same.
The older doctor was sitting across from him, relaxed but poised to write down anything on the legal pad that lay in his lap. So far, there was nothing written down on the yellow paper.
"There are two common reason why your condition would act up like it did, Kevin. Do you know them?"
Kevin reciting from memory what doctors had told him before. "It's aggitated by physical activity or large amounts of stress."
Dr. Mendez nodded. "And since it's safe to say that sleeping is not a strenuious physical activity, I am betting my PhD that stress was the cause. Since I am psychologist, your doctor asked me to talk to you about what's been going on lately. He told me that you were improving and the events of last night were rather concerning. So, what is going on Kevin?"
Kevin didn't look Dr Mendez in the eye. How could he tell the doctor that his new roommate was one of his tormentors at school? How could he describe the fear he had towards the swimmer? The only outcome he could see from opening up fully was Edd's wrath crashing down on him, whether it be at the hospital or later on a school. He had to think of something convincing or Dr. Mendez would dig further.
So, Kevin gave a form of the truth.
"I have had this question floating around in my head. Why does this have to be happening to me?"
"What do you mean, Kevin?" Dr. Mendez asked, confused.
Kevin waved around vaguely at the hospital then settled a hand on his chest. "All of this? It's like before I was even born, the world dealt me a crappy hand. I was never given a chance to be normal."
Dr. Mendez was not shocked at Kevin's answer. There had been many terminally ill children that had laid out their fears to him and he had heard many variations of that question. Anger and sadness is so entangled in that question.
"I wish I could give a definitive answer to that question, Kevin." Dr. Mendez said with a sigh. "The world is an unfair place and terrible things happen to good, innocent people."
Kevin felt like that was a cop out. It was just an elegant way of not answering the question. This is one of the reasons that Kevin didn't talk to adults about his problems. Jennifer was the only on that really gave a meaningful answer since she was going through something as well. The staff was nice but they would never truly understand. Their bodies weren't trying to kill them.
"If issues like that come up, you should talk to someone about it. Keeping all those feels inside can be very harmful to your present condition. It was extremely lucky that the doctors were able to stabilize you but now the pace maker that was a possibility a reality now."
Anger flared up inside Kevin.
"Yes, I am so lucky." Kevin fumed. "I'm so lucky that my heart didn't give out for something I can't control. Don't you think I've tried to talk to people about all of this. I don't want to pile more stress on my dad. Joe is nice enough but he doesn't understand."
"What about Eddward?"
The muscle in Kevin's jaw clenched. This is what he was trying to avoid. That was a whole can of worms that would quickly devolve into a conversation he'd rather not have. Ever.
"Edd… has his own stuff to deal with." Kevin said vaguely.
The doctor hummed. "That is true but I would not discount him. He's the only person in this hospital that knows you better than anyone. I would recommend you keep it in mind for future reference."
The phone on the doctor's desk started ringing, startling them both. Kevin let out a small sigh of relief at the distraction. Dr. Mendez set down his notebook and answered the phone.
"This is Mendez."
There was a moment of silence as he listened to the person on the other end. He nodded a few times.
"I'm with a patient right now so give me a moment."
Dr. Mendez cover the receiver with his hand and turned to Kevin. "This will be all for today. I will have you come by again later so we can finish our discussion."
Kevin nodded, grateful. He made his escape as quickly as he could. Halfway down the hall, Kevin remembered his dad had a question about how the sessions played into his insurance. When he had left, Kevin hadn't closed the door all the way and Dr. Mendez's voice floated outside.
"… still no word from Eddward's parents?"
Silence.
"How could they not be reached? Do they not know about their son's condition or state of mind?"
Silence.
"The scars on his arms are obvious. How could they not know?"
Silence.
"From what the nurses down in the ER said, this wasn't his first suicide attempt."
Kevin froze. So many things fell into place. Edd rarely worse short sleeves, which seemed to add to his menacing character. The sweat bands he always sported would keep prying eyes away from the scars that could accidently show. Just a slip of the fabric would reveal his secret. The one-time Kevin went to one of the swim meets, Edd stood with his arms crossed the entire time he was out of water. He was hiding the scars.
"Even though I have spoken to Eddward many times and he's been to group meetings, I haven't been gotten him to open up. That and the absence of his parents make it difficult for us to think about discharging him. Without supervision, he could hurt himself again."
Kevin slowly backed away from the door, not wanting to hear anything else.
Edd was in the middle of a conundrum. He stood a few doors down from his room. There was a documentary about deep-space travel being aired soon on the Discovery Channel that he had been looking forward to watching all week. He had been out walking beforehand to grab some snacks when he saw the male friend of Kevin's, the one whom defiled his bed, walk into their shared room. The loud boy did not know Eddward so it was less likely that he would be able to pass along any dangerous information that could get back to school. If he did not act like some that Nazz would recognize when described, he should be safe. But could he risk it?
Edd did a quick risk reward analysis. He would be able to watch his show in relative peace. The room was not full of screaming children surrounding the television watching mindless cartoons like in the common room. Going into his room was the only option if he wanted to watch the program. The risk seemed minimal in the face of science.
So, with a deep breath and his most genuine fake smile, Eddward walked into his room. The boy sitting on Kevin's bed jumped at the sudden intrusion. He had been flipping through the channels absentmindedly.
"Greetings," Edd said warmly. "You must be Kevin's friend. I am Vincent, Kevin's roommate."
The boy stood up and approached Edd with an extended hand. "Hey, I'm Nat. Kevin is off having tests run or something. Is it cool with you if I hang out here until he gets back?"
This is not your personal waiting area. Leave me in peace. Edd thought sourly but kept that inside. The last thing he wanted to do was act harshly just in case Nat complained to Nazz. It is better to be non-confrontational in this situation.
"That is fine with me, as long as I can have control of the television. There is a show I have been wanting to watch." Edd smiled.
Nat handed over the remote and went back to sitting on Kevin's bed. Edd found the Discovery Channel quickly and settled into his bed, his pillows propping him up properly to keep his spin in alignment. Nat was flipping through a random magazine, looking rather bored. The silence was appreciated as the program started.
Just when the narrator was about to launch into how NASA was pushing the boundaries of space flight, something Edd was rather interested in, Nat spoke up.
"So how are you doing? I know this place can be a little draining?"
Edd's jaw clenched to not snap at Nat. "I am doing good. I am only here for a minor issue so I'll be leaving soon. There is no need to worry about my well-being."
He hoped that would stop any further intrusive questions. But, to Eddward's irritation, it did not.
"Where do you go to school? I'm from Stone Brooke High, which is in town. Kevin goes to school about an hour or so away."
"I am home schooled actually and taking a few college classes." Eddward lied smoothly. "I am actually supposed to write a report over this space documentary."
"Oh, my bad!" Nat shouted, then slammed his hand over his mouth before lowering his volume to a whisper. "I will shut up now."
The loud Nat turned to his phone, texting away at a speed that even impressed Edd. The documentary turned to the deep space gateway concept that NASA was working on (Author's note: actually a real project). It was fascinating and a real step towards the future of space travel. The 3-D models showed possible projects came straight from NASA. A few of the top minds in the field came on to talk about their thoughts on how to advance the process in the next ten to twenty years. Edd attention was fully drawn to the program, no much so that he did not even notice Kevin walk into the room.
Kevin squeaked when he say Edd and Nat both sitting in his room. He had forgotten that Nat wanted to hang out today. If he would have remembered, he would have texted Nat to come later in the day, after his session with the doctor. Two worlds had collided and the thin peace of his stay could be shattered in an instant.
"Hey guys," Kevin said cautiously. "What's up?"
Nat looked up and smiled. "Me and Vincent are watching a space travel thing. He's got some homework from an online class over it. Its actually rather cool."
Vincent? Kevin thought, raising an eyebrow at Edd.
A look flashed across Edd's face that warned the ginger to correct Nat. There was a mask of kindness that Edd had on for some reason and that confused Kevin even more. Why did he put on a front around Nat of all people. Maybe he could ask later after Nat left.
"Well, let's leave E- Vincent alone so he can watch it in peace. Didn't you say you wanted to flirt with the coffee guy in the cafeteria?"
Nat perked up and put his phone away. "Do you think I will get his number this time?"
"You won't know until you try again, for the twentieth time." Kevin smiled, glad to pull Nat's attention away from Edd.
After Nat left the room with much enthusiasm, Kevin turned back to Edd. "We can talk about this later."
Edd nodded, not taking his eyes off the TV.
Thanks for tuning in for a new chapter. Events will be picking up rapidly so be ready for some angst and such.
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