I know I said I wouldn't post anymore of this till we turned the lights off on 'WIIWN' but I'm stuck at home nursing a badly sprained toe. I can't walk for nearly 13 hours on my heel unfortunately. As an RN, we are on our feet most of our shifts, be it making hourly rounds to check on our patients while they're sleeping, you know make sure the chest is still rising and falling. Or giving out scheduled and PRN medications, doing admissions, or God forbid, code blues. They do tend to get the blood pumping. But anyway, I thought I'd update this. See you at the bottom.
When I start to arouse, there's a bright, blinding light shining in my eyes. Groaning, I raise my forearm to cover them but I feel a pinch in the crook of my elbow and then an alarm starts blaring right next to me.
"Mr. Salvatore, you need to keep your arm straight. You kink your IV needle when you bend your elbow," a female voice chides me gently.
"Hospital? Why am I in a hospital?"
"Alcohol poisoning, Damon," I hear Stefan's voice. For whatever reason his voice is lacking his usual bluster.
"How did you even find me?" I ask, still keeping my arm over my eyes.
"I came over to ask for your opinion about the presentation that I had prepared. And thank God I did." Shaking his head in dismay, he pleads, "Damon, please. I don't want to bury you. You need to stop."
Dropping my head, I lower my arm just far enough so I can look him in the eyes. "Maybe I'm ready to be buried."
He closes his eyes and drops into the chair beside my bed. "Damon, you need help. If you don't give a rip about me, at least think of dad. Do you think he wants to watch his son's dead body being lowered into the ground?"
"Don't Stefan," I caution him, finally turning my eyes away from him.
"What happened last night to push you over the edge?"
Sighing heavily, "I don't know, Stefan. Anything, everything, I just, I just...," I add, my voice trailing off as I reach up to pinch the bridge of my nose. Once I regain my composure, I ask him when I can go home.
"You have to stay spend the night here. You were barely breathing when I found you. I called an ambulance and they had to intubate you. Then they pumped your stomach."
"Why did you have to come over?"
"Damon, don't. Despite our differences, you're my brother and I love you. Is there anyone you can talk to at Happy Dale?"
"Stefan...," I start to say when I hear his phone ring.
"Hi dad. He's conscious now. Do you want to talk to him?"
Shaking my head no when he turns to look at me, I utter, "No Stef, I can't. I don't want to disappoint him anymore than I already have."
"Okay dad, I will." I hear him say and then to spite me, I'm sure, he lays the phone on my lap . When I hear dad say my name, I realize that Stefan put him on speaker phone.
"Damon?"
"I'm here dad," I whisper, too ashamed to talk any louder.
"Son, I'm going to make arrangements to fly out there for a few days. Can I stay with you?"
"I don't need a babysitter, dad."
"Clearly you need someone?"
Defeated, I exhale heavily. Silence fills the room for a few long moments, broken only when I finally answer him. "You can stay with me. Thanks dad."
"You're welcome. Now get some rest and stay away from the bottle. I intend to get rid of everything you have in your house. Do you understand?"
Feeling about five years and being scolded, I can only nod. Even though he can't see the gesture, I'm sure he could sense my surrender.
"And Damon, I love you and I'm not going to sit back and watch you destroy yourself. I'll let you know when my flight is supposed to land as soon as I can get a ticket. Now get some rest and I'll talk to you later. Goodbye Stefan," he says before the phone clicks off.
"Did someone call Happy Dale and tell them I'm not there because I'm in the hospital?"
"Yeah, Ric called them and notified the court. You're lucky you have so many people that care about you. Please Damon. I know the last year has been brutal and I know I've been less than supportive at times but... I don't want to lose you Damon. Who would I fight with?" he asks, half serious, half in jest.
Unable to look at him any longer, I raise my eyes to the ceiling. "I just feel empty Stefan."
"I know," he replies. Standing up, he gives my shoulder a squeeze. "I'm going to go home now. I'll be here in the morning to take you home, okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll butt heads again soon enough, but thank you, Stefan." He puts his hand on the door handle then turns around to give me a look. With a nod, he pushes it open and steps out of my room.
"Oh Damon, how are you feeling? Mr. Saltzman informed us that you were ill."
"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Lockwood but I'd rather not talk about it. What is my assignment today?"
"Can you cook?" she asks, her finger on her lip.
"Yes, I can cook. Why?"
"Both of our cooks called in sick today. We need to feed both our patients and our staff. Some of the patients help out in the kitchen to earn some spending money. They'll help you."
"Okay then. Take me there," I tell her, shaking my head.
"Alright then, come on," she says, leading me out of her office and into the food preparation area. Reaching for a piece of paper, she points out what was on the menu for today before departing.
"Are you going to cook today?" a blonde haired guy asks.
"That's what I've been told," I chuckle. "My name is Damon," I tell him, offering my hand.
"I'm Luke. I help prepare the meals too. I cut vegetables, peel potatoes, that type of thing."
"Okay then. Let's get busy. Is anyone else going to help or is it just us?"
"I think Rose is supposed to help out today too. I'll see if I can find her," he tells me. Just as he's about to exit the kitchen, a mousy-haired girl runs inside, out of breath.
"Sorry I'm late. I was out for a run," she pants, bending over, placing her hands above her knees to catch her breath.
"I was just about to come to look for you Rose. This is Damon. He's the cook today." Standing up, she shakes off her fatigue and walks over to me.
"I'm Rose. It's nice to meet you." After we exchange formalities, I roll up my sleeves then slip an apron on. Walking over to the refrigerator, I grab the huge tray of tenderized steak meat and take it over to the stove.
"It looks like we're supposed to make Swiss steak. Would you prefer tomato gravy or brown gravy?" I ask them.
"I think brown gravy would be a nice change," Rose remarks.
"I concur. Rose, do you want to chop onions or peel potatoes?" Luke asks.
"I'll peel potatoes. Onions.. ick," she answers him with a shudder.
"Alright, brown gravy it is," I reply then turn my attention to the task at hand. I season the flour then go about frying up the meat. The three of us work together and get everything done that we need to do. I was struck by how many pregnant women went through the lunch line today. Brushing it off, I serve the staff members when line up to eat too. Luke and Rose help me clean up and by the time we're done, it's time for me to leave for the day. After taking a moment to wash my hands I tell Rose and Luke goodbye then go back to the office to check out.
When I get into her office, I can't help but overhear someone crying. "But I heard him cry," the girl says, her voice pained.
"It's your mind playing tricks on you. Your son was stillborn. If you keep this up, you won't be released," I hear Mrs. Lockwood chastise the girl, her voice condescending. Knowing I shouldn't be eavesdropping, I stealthily step out so no one will know I was in the office. Just as I do, I run smack dab into April, Mrs. Lockwood's secretary.
"Did you need something, Mr. Salvatore?" she asks.
"No, I was just checking out for the day. I'll see you tomorrow," I tell her then quickly make my escape.
When I get home for the day, I'm completely exhausted so I slowly walk into my bedroom, slip out of my clothes then hop into the shower. Dropping my head against the wall, I close my eyes and let the water pummel me into submission. Finally, I stand upright, grab the scrunchy and the shower gel, lather it up and clean my body. Once done, I turn off the water, pick up my towel and step out. Wrapping around my waist, I walk back into my bedroom and slip on a pair of running shorts and a sleeveless tee shirt. I haven't worked out in a long time.
Hoping it'll help me take my mind off things for a little while, I walk outside, hop in my car and drive to the gym. After parking the car, I go in.
"Damon, it's good to see you buddy," Enzo remarks, shaking my hand.
"Hi Enzo. How's the flower business?"
"It's wedding season, buddy. I barely have any time to myself this time of year. But speaking of work, I need to go. I'm meeting a couple about that very subject in a half an hour. Don't make yourself so scarce, okay?" he says, giving me a look before making his exit.
After watching him leave, I get on the treadmill and walk and walk and walk. I've walked ten miles by the time I get off. Panting, I walk over to the stationary bike, hop on and push myself even farther. When I hear someone say hi to me, I look up only to have a bottle of water shoved into my hands.
"You look like you're about to collapse," she says, tilting her head slightly.
"Thanks. I haven't seen you for awhile. How's married life?" I ask.
"It's wonderful. Brady is a good guy. And I know you worried when he and I first got together and I love you for that, but I'm really happy, Damon."
"I'm glad. You're a good friend."
"So are you. How are things?" she asks, tilting her head just slightly, a tight smile on her lips.
"I've been better. All I can do is take one day at a time. My dad is flying in to visit tomorrow. It'll be good to have him here."
"Tell him hi for me okay? Isn't it funny how life works out sometimes?"
"How so?"
"We grew up together in Virginia and here we are in Texas, together again. But I need to get going. I promised Brady a home cooked meal. Call me sometime. I'd like to have you over for supper. I'll even ask Stefan and Caroline to join us. Give me jingle okay?"
"Sure Mer. Say hi to Brady for me."
"I will, goodbye," she replies, giving my forearm a squeeze before walking away.
Once I've thoroughly exhausted myself, I jump into the shower again, dress and go home. After making myself something to eat, I collapse on the edge of my bed. Without bothering to change my shorts, I pull my shirt off, crawl under the covers and close my eyes.
"Good morning Mr. Salvatore," April greets me when I step into the office to check in for my shift today. Her flirtatious greeting sends a shiver up my spine.
"Um, good morning. What's on the agenda for me today?"
"I honestly don't know. I'll go check," she says. I walk over to the window to look outside. I still haven't gotten that image of that pretty girl out of my mind. I turn around when I hear April address me.
"Come with me. They want you to help out in a classroom today. I don't know if you're aware but within this complex is a home for unwed pregnant girls that have issues. You're going to be working with Dr. Nik over there today. I'll walk you over and he'll meet you there," she says, gesturing me to follow her with a come hither motion with her arm.
Sighing, I follow behind her. We walk across the grounds to another building. When I step inside there are several young pregnant girls. I stunned that there are so many. We meander down the hallway till we get to a what looks like a classroom. She unlocks the door and tells me to step inside.
"Dr. Mikaelson will join you shortly. I'll tell him that you're here," she says, once again smiling at me curiously before leaving me alone. I start looking around the classroom. There's really nothing to see so I plop down onto a desk and wait for the Dr.
"Damon, It's good to see you," Dr. Nik greets me with a handshake.
"What are we doing today?"
"I have a degree in mathematics too so we're doing some book keeping today." Just as I open my mouth to reply, a group of about fifteen girls walk into the classroom. Some are sullen and stoic looking. A few others are giggling. Once they all take their seats, he introduces me while handing me a stack of papers to hand out. After we all get settled he starts the lesson. Afterwards, he gives them study time. As they raise their hands for assistance, I walk around and help them out. I am actually enjoying myself today.
After helping several of the girls with their math equations in this class and a second one, I blow out a puff of air and take a seat. Again, I'm surprised that there are so many pregnant girls with emotional issues. But I brush it off since I'm not privy to what goes on inside their heads. Still, I feel good about myself after helping them all day for the first time in quite a while.
"Thank you for your help today, Damon. I really appreciate it. You're really good with them. Sometimes patience isn't one of my virtues," Dr. Nik says with a chuckle.
"I think that's true for all of us at one time or another," I reply honestly.
"You can go home now if you want. I'll see you soon," he says, dismissing me. Fortunately, April is nowhere to be seen when I check out for the day. After taking a moment to use the restroom, I start to walk out of the facility when I feel my phone vibrate. Reaching into my pocket, I take it out to see who is texting me. Seeing how it's Stefan, I'm tempted to ignore it but I don't. I start texting him back. With my attention elsewhere, I walk right into someone causing me to drop my phone.
I look up just in time to see her crash to the floor, landing on her backside. Just as I start to apologize, I'm rendered speechless when I see who I bumped into.. It's her.
Thank you so much Eva. I appreciate all of your help and guidance and love and friendship.
Thank you all for taking an interest in this story and especially those of you who do take those extra few seconds to write a word or two, a sentence or two. I appreciate it more than you know.
This story is a pretty long one so a lot is going to be unfolding.
Watch for the final chapter of 'What if I was Nothing' to post soon. 'The Unforgiven' and 'Rainy Days and Mondays' will be updating in a couple of days too.
Title: 'Fade to Black' by Metallica
I just finished an Elena-centric Christmas story. I have two ready to post when it gets closer to Christmas. Eva and I have also started on another new story. But it's complicated too so it's requiring a lot of research but so far it's been fun to write. I'll tell you more about it when it's closer to posting.
As always, stay safe and have a fabulous day. Thank you all again for your support. Until the next time...