They sat down and had a leisurely dinner together. Afterward they cleaned
up and went upstairs. Jerrica put on a movie and they snuggled in bed
watching it until they both had dozed off. The last thing Jerrica
remembered was two people talking in the movie, then darkness, until
suddenly she was in her office. She was sitting at her desk, typing an
email when her office door flew open. She jumped up just as Eric came
rushing into her office, a gun to Rory's head. "Rory. No." Jerrica
screamed.
"Say goodbye to your precious Rory, Jerrica. I win after all." Eric cried.
"No." she screamed over and over as she thrashed about in the bed. Rory awoke and quickly sat up. He turned to Jerrica and gently grasped her arms.
"Jerrica. Wake up." he called to her. Jerrica was crying and screaming, kicking her legs and flailing her arms. "Wake up." he yelled even louder. Suddenly, Jerrica opened her eyes. She was breathing heavily, tears running down her face.
"Rory?" she asked softly.
"It's me baby. I'm here, I'm alright." he said, stroking her face and hair. Jerrica gingerly sat up and leaned against the headboard. She put her arms around Rory and held him close as she cried.
"It was horrible. He came back and had a gun pointed at you and he told me to say goodbye. I saw him pull the trigger. He killed you."
"No, look at me. He didn't kill me. See? I'm right here." he soothed her as she continued to cry. Rory lay down and wrapped his arm around her while he spoke comforting words and Jerrica finally began to calm down. After a short while she saw Rory had fallen asleep. Slowly she crept out of bed and snuck downstairs. After she put on a pot of coffee she went to her purse and pulled out a box of stay alert pills. She popped two and chased it with a glass of water, then she poured a cup of coffee and took it into the living room to watch tv. When she would felt herself become sleepy around two a.m. she put on her jacket and grabbed her pepper spray before stepping outside and taking a walk. After about an hour she made her way home where she drank another cup of coffee and browsed wedding dresses in her bride magazines, circling her favorites. It was around five when she crept back upstairs and slipped under the covers. She lay there for a few minutes before she slowly stirred, pretending to wake. Rory woke shortly thereafter.
"Good morning." he said, pulling her close. "Sleep well?" he asked.
"Terrific. Thank you for being there for me last night."
"It was my pleasure. I'm so sorry you are suffering these nightmares. Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.
"No. I'm sure they will go away eventually. How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Alright I suppose. I had a little trouble sleeping."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I guess we should get ready for work." Jerrica suggested, kissing him on the lips before getting up and heading into the bathroom. They both showered and dressed. Rory left first. When she was sure he was gone Jerrica slipped two more pills from her purse and swallowed them. After finishing a cup of coffee she headed for work. The next night went the same, Jerrica woke from a nightmare and Rory was there to calm her fears. For the next several nights after that, once she knew Rory was asleep she would take a walk or sit in the living room watching television or reading, usually having a few cups of coffee to keep her awake. It was the beginning of the next week. Jerrica stumbled in to her office and found Phyllis and Roxy were waiting by her door.
"Look who it is." Roxy said.
"Hi guys. I'm sorry I haven't called. Work has been busy." Jerrica said as she showed them into her office.
"Save it. What's going on?" Phyllis asked point blank as she and Roxy took a seat on the sofa.
"What do you mean?" Jerrica asked with a nervous laugh.
"Listen, you look like hell. Have you gotten any sleep in the last couple days?" Phyllis asked.
"Yes, of course." Jerrica lied, tucking her hair behind her ears. Phyllis and Roxy looked at each other and nodded.
"You're lying. I can tell. Now, what is it? Why aren't you sleeping, and don't lie to me." Phyllis stood up and demanded.
Jerrica looked down at her desk. When she looked up tears spilled down her cheeks. "I can't. I'm scared. I have these nightmares. I don't want to see it anymore; I don't want to see him. I'm afraid I'll never sleep again." Jerrica cried as she collapsed into her chair. Phyllis came over and kneeled in front of her.
"Hey, don't cry. That's what he wants. We'll help you. Rory will help you. He doesn't know does he?" she asked.
"No. He thinks everything is fine."
"First you have to tell him the truth. Then I want you to make an appointment with my psychiatrist. If you don't want to see her then she'll recommend another doctor but you need to talk to someone. This can't go on. You will get sick. Then where will you be?"
"I know you're right, I'm just..I'm just so tired." Jerrica cried. Phyllis wrapped her arms around her friend.
"I know. Come on. I'm taking you home. I have some sleeping pills in my purse. You'll take one and get some much needed sleep."
"I can't. I'll have another nightmare." Jerrica said, her voice panicked.
"No, you won't. You just need to realize it's only a dream. We'll stay with you. You don't have to go through this alone. While you're resting I'll call my doctor and have her squeeze you in."
"Thank you. Your too nice to me." Jerrica said.
"That's what friends are for, right?" Phyllis said, as they both stood and embraced. Jerrica gathered her things and the three women left together. When they arrived back at Jerrica's house, Phyllis gave Jerrica a sleeping pill and put her to bed. She stayed by her friend's side. She was right there when Jerrica stirred, most likely in the beginning stages of a nightmare. When Jerrica cried out, she assured her everything was fine and stayed until her friend was back to sleep. She then left the room and went downstairs to call her doctor. After scheduling an appointment for Jerrica for the next afternoon she and Roxy sat in the kitchen talking until the late afternoon. Roxy left and Phyllis started cooking dinner for her friends. Around six, the front door opened and Rory wandered in. He went straight to the kitchen when he smelled food cooking.
"Phyllis, what a nice surprise. Is everything alright?" he asked when he didn't see Jerrica anywhere.
"She's asleep. When she wakes up you two can have a nice talk. That's all I'm at liberty to say."
"Okay. Well, what's all this?" he asked, stepping over to the stove.
"Dinner. Now, don't go thinking I'll cook for you two all the time. Hell, if I cooked then maybe I'd actually invite people to my house, but I don't cook, so this is a one time only deal. And try not to tell anyone about it or my other friends might expect it from me too." Phyllis said as she grabbed her purse. "There's a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup on the stove and bread in the oven. Make sure she eats something, she hasn't eaten all day."
"I will. Thank you. You're a good friend." Rory said, escorting her to the door.
"Enough with the mushy stuff. I hate that crap. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." he said as he watched her get in her car and drive off.
Rory went about setting the table. Once he was finished he went upstairs and entered Jerrica's room. He knelt by the bed and gently woke her. "Jerrica, wake up sweetie." he said.
"Mmmm, Rory?" she mumbled. Her eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the darkened room.
"Yes, did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks." she said, pulling back the covers and stepping out of bed.
"Dinner is ready. Why don't you come down and eat?" he suggested.
"Sure. Just let me change and I'll be right down." she said.
Rory left to go back downstairs. Jerrica changed into jeans and a green t- shirt. After brushing her hair she went downstairs. The table was set with bowls of soup and a basket of bread.
"Did you do this?" she asked.
"No. Phyllis cooked. I'm glad you have such a good friend." he said, pulling out her chair for her. Jerrica took a seat and he pushed in her chair before giving her a kiss on the head.
"Thank you. She is great." Jerrica said, taking a bite of her soup. "This is delicious."
Rory took a seat across from her. He took a bite and smiled. "This is amazing. I'm going to have to thank her again for this. I'm glad to see you eating. You look a little weak." he said.
"I'm fine. So, how was your day." she asked, changing the subject. Dinner continued with them sharing idle chitchat. When they were finished Rory cleared the dishes and put away the leftovers. After he was done he knelt down in front of her chair.
"Now, what is the matter?" he asked gently.
Jerrica looked down at her hands and began to cry. "I haven't slept in days. I've been taking stay awake pills and drinking coffee when you think I'm sleeping. I'm afraid of the nightmares. They're horrible. Phyllis and Roxy called me on it. They brought me home and gave me a sleeping pill and stayed with me while I slept. I'm sorry." she sobbed.
"Why on earth didn't you tell me? I can help you."
"I was scared. I didn't want you to think I was weak."
"Oh, sweetheart, I could never think that of you. You are the strongest
person I know. You've just been through a terrible ordeal. No one expects
you to bounce right back from something like that." he said, wrapping his
arms around her.
"Thank you. Maybe I just needed to hear that. Phyllis made me an
appointment with her psychiatrist for tomorrow."
"Good, you should talk to someone."
"I'm so tired." she cried.
"All right, let's go upstairs. We'll go to bed, and I'll be there the entire
time. You won't be alone."
"You're wonderful." she said, touching his cheek.
Rory turned his head and kissed her hand.
They went to bed and after about twenty minutes Jerrica was in the throes of a
nightmare. Rory gently woke her and held her until she fell back to sleep.
The next morning they woke early and got ready for work. They met
downstairs at the table.
"Want some cereal?" he asked.
"Yeah, um, Captain Crunch." she said, pouring them each a cup of coffee.
"What time is your appointment?" he asked, placing her bowl down in front
of her.
"Phyllis left a message this morning saying it was at three o'clock. I'm
nervous." she said.
"I'm sure that's natural but you don't have to be. This woman is a
professional. She won't judge you, just help you." he said, pouring
himself bowl of corn flakes and taking a seat across from her.
"I know. I have to do this. It's the only way to move on. Will I see you
tonight?" she asked. He could have sworn her voice had a hint of fright in
it, as if she thought he would not be coming back tonight.
"Absolutely. I'm working until about six and then I'm going to hit the gym.
I'll be by around eight. Is that alright?" he asked.
"Sure, I'll see you then. I love you." she said.
"I love you too. Please stay safe today." he said.
"Say goodbye to your precious Rory, Jerrica. I win after all." Eric cried.
"No." she screamed over and over as she thrashed about in the bed. Rory awoke and quickly sat up. He turned to Jerrica and gently grasped her arms.
"Jerrica. Wake up." he called to her. Jerrica was crying and screaming, kicking her legs and flailing her arms. "Wake up." he yelled even louder. Suddenly, Jerrica opened her eyes. She was breathing heavily, tears running down her face.
"Rory?" she asked softly.
"It's me baby. I'm here, I'm alright." he said, stroking her face and hair. Jerrica gingerly sat up and leaned against the headboard. She put her arms around Rory and held him close as she cried.
"It was horrible. He came back and had a gun pointed at you and he told me to say goodbye. I saw him pull the trigger. He killed you."
"No, look at me. He didn't kill me. See? I'm right here." he soothed her as she continued to cry. Rory lay down and wrapped his arm around her while he spoke comforting words and Jerrica finally began to calm down. After a short while she saw Rory had fallen asleep. Slowly she crept out of bed and snuck downstairs. After she put on a pot of coffee she went to her purse and pulled out a box of stay alert pills. She popped two and chased it with a glass of water, then she poured a cup of coffee and took it into the living room to watch tv. When she would felt herself become sleepy around two a.m. she put on her jacket and grabbed her pepper spray before stepping outside and taking a walk. After about an hour she made her way home where she drank another cup of coffee and browsed wedding dresses in her bride magazines, circling her favorites. It was around five when she crept back upstairs and slipped under the covers. She lay there for a few minutes before she slowly stirred, pretending to wake. Rory woke shortly thereafter.
"Good morning." he said, pulling her close. "Sleep well?" he asked.
"Terrific. Thank you for being there for me last night."
"It was my pleasure. I'm so sorry you are suffering these nightmares. Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.
"No. I'm sure they will go away eventually. How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Alright I suppose. I had a little trouble sleeping."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I guess we should get ready for work." Jerrica suggested, kissing him on the lips before getting up and heading into the bathroom. They both showered and dressed. Rory left first. When she was sure he was gone Jerrica slipped two more pills from her purse and swallowed them. After finishing a cup of coffee she headed for work. The next night went the same, Jerrica woke from a nightmare and Rory was there to calm her fears. For the next several nights after that, once she knew Rory was asleep she would take a walk or sit in the living room watching television or reading, usually having a few cups of coffee to keep her awake. It was the beginning of the next week. Jerrica stumbled in to her office and found Phyllis and Roxy were waiting by her door.
"Look who it is." Roxy said.
"Hi guys. I'm sorry I haven't called. Work has been busy." Jerrica said as she showed them into her office.
"Save it. What's going on?" Phyllis asked point blank as she and Roxy took a seat on the sofa.
"What do you mean?" Jerrica asked with a nervous laugh.
"Listen, you look like hell. Have you gotten any sleep in the last couple days?" Phyllis asked.
"Yes, of course." Jerrica lied, tucking her hair behind her ears. Phyllis and Roxy looked at each other and nodded.
"You're lying. I can tell. Now, what is it? Why aren't you sleeping, and don't lie to me." Phyllis stood up and demanded.
Jerrica looked down at her desk. When she looked up tears spilled down her cheeks. "I can't. I'm scared. I have these nightmares. I don't want to see it anymore; I don't want to see him. I'm afraid I'll never sleep again." Jerrica cried as she collapsed into her chair. Phyllis came over and kneeled in front of her.
"Hey, don't cry. That's what he wants. We'll help you. Rory will help you. He doesn't know does he?" she asked.
"No. He thinks everything is fine."
"First you have to tell him the truth. Then I want you to make an appointment with my psychiatrist. If you don't want to see her then she'll recommend another doctor but you need to talk to someone. This can't go on. You will get sick. Then where will you be?"
"I know you're right, I'm just..I'm just so tired." Jerrica cried. Phyllis wrapped her arms around her friend.
"I know. Come on. I'm taking you home. I have some sleeping pills in my purse. You'll take one and get some much needed sleep."
"I can't. I'll have another nightmare." Jerrica said, her voice panicked.
"No, you won't. You just need to realize it's only a dream. We'll stay with you. You don't have to go through this alone. While you're resting I'll call my doctor and have her squeeze you in."
"Thank you. Your too nice to me." Jerrica said.
"That's what friends are for, right?" Phyllis said, as they both stood and embraced. Jerrica gathered her things and the three women left together. When they arrived back at Jerrica's house, Phyllis gave Jerrica a sleeping pill and put her to bed. She stayed by her friend's side. She was right there when Jerrica stirred, most likely in the beginning stages of a nightmare. When Jerrica cried out, she assured her everything was fine and stayed until her friend was back to sleep. She then left the room and went downstairs to call her doctor. After scheduling an appointment for Jerrica for the next afternoon she and Roxy sat in the kitchen talking until the late afternoon. Roxy left and Phyllis started cooking dinner for her friends. Around six, the front door opened and Rory wandered in. He went straight to the kitchen when he smelled food cooking.
"Phyllis, what a nice surprise. Is everything alright?" he asked when he didn't see Jerrica anywhere.
"She's asleep. When she wakes up you two can have a nice talk. That's all I'm at liberty to say."
"Okay. Well, what's all this?" he asked, stepping over to the stove.
"Dinner. Now, don't go thinking I'll cook for you two all the time. Hell, if I cooked then maybe I'd actually invite people to my house, but I don't cook, so this is a one time only deal. And try not to tell anyone about it or my other friends might expect it from me too." Phyllis said as she grabbed her purse. "There's a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup on the stove and bread in the oven. Make sure she eats something, she hasn't eaten all day."
"I will. Thank you. You're a good friend." Rory said, escorting her to the door.
"Enough with the mushy stuff. I hate that crap. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." he said as he watched her get in her car and drive off.
Rory went about setting the table. Once he was finished he went upstairs and entered Jerrica's room. He knelt by the bed and gently woke her. "Jerrica, wake up sweetie." he said.
"Mmmm, Rory?" she mumbled. Her eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the darkened room.
"Yes, did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks." she said, pulling back the covers and stepping out of bed.
"Dinner is ready. Why don't you come down and eat?" he suggested.
"Sure. Just let me change and I'll be right down." she said.
Rory left to go back downstairs. Jerrica changed into jeans and a green t- shirt. After brushing her hair she went downstairs. The table was set with bowls of soup and a basket of bread.
"Did you do this?" she asked.
"No. Phyllis cooked. I'm glad you have such a good friend." he said, pulling out her chair for her. Jerrica took a seat and he pushed in her chair before giving her a kiss on the head.
"Thank you. She is great." Jerrica said, taking a bite of her soup. "This is delicious."
Rory took a seat across from her. He took a bite and smiled. "This is amazing. I'm going to have to thank her again for this. I'm glad to see you eating. You look a little weak." he said.
"I'm fine. So, how was your day." she asked, changing the subject. Dinner continued with them sharing idle chitchat. When they were finished Rory cleared the dishes and put away the leftovers. After he was done he knelt down in front of her chair.
"Now, what is the matter?" he asked gently.
Jerrica looked down at her hands and began to cry. "I haven't slept in days. I've been taking stay awake pills and drinking coffee when you think I'm sleeping. I'm afraid of the nightmares. They're horrible. Phyllis and Roxy called me on it. They brought me home and gave me a sleeping pill and stayed with me while I slept. I'm sorry." she sobbed.
"Why on earth didn't you tell me? I can help you."
"I was scared. I didn't want you to think I was weak."
"Oh, sweetheart, I could never think that of you. You are the strongest
person I know. You've just been through a terrible ordeal. No one expects
you to bounce right back from something like that." he said, wrapping his
arms around her.
"Thank you. Maybe I just needed to hear that. Phyllis made me an
appointment with her psychiatrist for tomorrow."
"Good, you should talk to someone."
"I'm so tired." she cried.
"All right, let's go upstairs. We'll go to bed, and I'll be there the entire
time. You won't be alone."
"You're wonderful." she said, touching his cheek.
Rory turned his head and kissed her hand.
They went to bed and after about twenty minutes Jerrica was in the throes of a
nightmare. Rory gently woke her and held her until she fell back to sleep.
The next morning they woke early and got ready for work. They met
downstairs at the table.
"Want some cereal?" he asked.
"Yeah, um, Captain Crunch." she said, pouring them each a cup of coffee.
"What time is your appointment?" he asked, placing her bowl down in front
of her.
"Phyllis left a message this morning saying it was at three o'clock. I'm
nervous." she said.
"I'm sure that's natural but you don't have to be. This woman is a
professional. She won't judge you, just help you." he said, pouring
himself bowl of corn flakes and taking a seat across from her.
"I know. I have to do this. It's the only way to move on. Will I see you
tonight?" she asked. He could have sworn her voice had a hint of fright in
it, as if she thought he would not be coming back tonight.
"Absolutely. I'm working until about six and then I'm going to hit the gym.
I'll be by around eight. Is that alright?" he asked.
"Sure, I'll see you then. I love you." she said.
"I love you too. Please stay safe today." he said.