Medication

Ruth stared at the prescription in her hand. The antidepressants she could understand. Becky Ramini had explained exactly how the chemicals in the brain were effecting how she felt. It was the second prescription that she'd been given had confused her. She had to admit Harry had been amazing, she had to admit if he hadn't been there she may well have killed herself.

"Becky's left."

"Oh." Ruth looked up as Harry walked into the living room. "She left me the prescription. I don't know how I can take a drug like this and do the work I do."

"You must take them. Ruth, you need the medication." Harry sat next to her. Ruth nodded slightly. Rationally she knew he was right. If she had a medical condition she'd take the medication prescribed without a second thought. Now that she had a mental illness all she felt was ashamed, that she was weak and left everyone down.

"Ruth." Harry took the prescription from her. "Oh. Right, well the sooner we get these from the chemist the better." He blushed furiously. "But I don't think they'll do much good in the long term."

"What? But?" Ruth bit her lip as she realised Harry had the prescription with his name as the drug. "Oh, I think that was Becky's joke. I."

"Ruth; I know. It's ok. I grew up with Becky. She's always been a pain in the rear end but is a bloody good doctor." He shook his head. "Her brother, Sandeep was in my class in secondary school. When she went to med school in London he asked me to keep an eye on her."

"You've known her a long time."

"Yes. And she's very very married. We've always been just friends. Don't look at me like that. I know my reputation. It's a sexist world, if I'd behaved the way I had had I been female my reputation would be a lot different. Now? How about a walk to the chemist? It's not far is it?" He stood up. Ruth nodded.

"I don't know. I've not left the house since I came home from the hospital." She looked away, feeling pathetic. Harry stepped closer to her, tilting her chin so she had to look at him.

"I know. You can do this. I know you can. Ruth, I'll be with you." She nodded, glancing away.

"Ok."

Harry smiled, genuinely happy that a little of the old Ruth was creeping back into the woman in front of him. Before he could stop himself he kissed her forehead as her eyes fell closed.

"I can do this." She swallowed hard before heading towards the hallway in search of her boots and coat. It was a small step but she had to do get it out of the way.

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