She paced back and forth, continually glancing at her watch every other second. She had arrived nearly 10 minutes before with a few minutes to spare, but after doing a quick check of the parking lot, he hadn't arrived yet. It wouldn't have worried her under normal circumstances, but after hearing his voice on the phone in such a broken and helpless manner, she was becoming more and more worried.
She knew upon taking the job that she would be on call, any time of the day. It had been a form of healing for herself, as well as made her face each day. She still had the urge and temptation to take the drugs; for any addict, that urge was always there, the temptation never ceased and the means of taking it was usually available at any time.
She leaned against her car and stared at her shoes, trying to fight the urge to look at her watch anymore. She wasn't exactly sure how she would face the situation with Jeff once he got there, anyone. She knew it all depended on his attitude and what state of mind he was when he arrived. With Jeff, whom she barely knew, from what she did know, she would have to take it with ease and stride. She recalled back to her classes she took when she was offered the job. She remembered the different stages of recovery and if this was Jeff's first day without having his medication, he was feeling the anger, the resentment, as well as the physical specifics he would be going through.
"Thanks for coming." a voice came beside her.
She jumped slightly and grabbed her chest, as she closed her eyes and tried catching her breath. She was well aware of how the voice belonged too, she just needed a minute to regulate her heart beat and her rapid breathing. She heard Jeff chuckles slightly and she opened her eyes to glare at him. He was leaned her car, his hand covering his mouth slightly to hide his laughter.
"I didn't mean to scare you." he said.
"It's alright. You look like hell." she said, doing a once over on his facial features.
His eyes were baggy, with black circle forming underneath, his hair was matted to his head on one side, the sweat glistened from his forehead and his eyes had a look in them she had never seen in the two weeks she had known him. It was a look she knew all too well, and for once, it seemed like Jeff was on the verge of a breakthrough and he may just be ready for help.
"I feel like it too. I just didn't know who to call and I didn't wanna be alone. I knew I would take them if I did and I didn't want to take them. For some reason, today I didn't want to take them." he answered plainly.
"I know the feeling Jeff. Look, why don't we go inside and eat and then we'll go from there, alright?" she eased gently.
"I could use some food. I haven't eaten all day." he said, looking up at her finally.
She smiled gently, staring into his emerald eyes and seeing an understanding that she had ever noticed before. A sense of calm, yet someone who was reaching out for help. Someone who just wanted a friend and who didn't want to be alone.
She didn't know much else about his day or what he had encountered, although she had an idea, but all she knew was right now, she wasn't about to leave him. She was going to be by his side, every step of the way.