The Devil has called for me and I practically fly next door, pulling the starter on my broom so hard it snaps off but that's okay, it's running. Sam swears. He just got home from a wedding and I took his tie off him with such great ceremony before pouring him a glass of lemonade and asking for all the details.
He's a boy and so the details were the following: He wore a suit. She had a dress. I don't know. It was white. It's so hot out. I was just trying not to pass out. Yes, they cried. People always cry at weddings, Bridget. Hey, where are you going?
When I arrive the doctor is packing up his things. There is a small bottle on the kitchen counter. Caleb is fastening his shirt buttons. The Holter monitor is back. Funny how their heartbreak is a physical response to emotional sanctions on my part, always.
Cut them off, they die.
I don't want him to die. I don't want to talk to him either though so I address the doctor.
He motions to the bottle on the counter. Mr. C____ said you both were having some profound distress. I went ahead and brought some Ativan for you. You know how to take it, if you need to.
Thank you. I take the bottle and stare at it while the Devil stares at me, boring holes in the side of my head with his blue eyes. They don't let me keep this stuff. I could slow down my whole world with this. It's pharmaceutical quicksand.
Is he okay?
We'll be keeping a close watch. Can you be my eyes while I am not here? If anything changes call me. I'll give you my other numbers as well.
If something goes wrong I'll call 911. For Christs' sake.
She's perfect for this. The old doctor grimaces at Caleb.
I know. Caleb is as reluctant as I am to meet eyes so we don't.
Is something wrong between you? I have people who talk to you and work it out.
We have people- we say at the same time and stop short.
I will leave it. Take care of him and call me if you need anything. Hopefully you won't need to call 911. He just needs to take it easier. I'll be back on Monday for the monitor.
Thank you. I see him out and come back for the bottle.
Bridget-
Call me if you need anything. I scoop the bottle off the table and leave.
When I come back across and into the kitchen Sam is on a second glass of lemonade. Everything okay? What's that?
Some iron pills. Yeah, he's fine. False alarm, I guess. I tuck the pills in my pocket and wonder where I can hide them but Sam pins me against the counter and takes the bottle. He reads the label and frowns at me.
I'll keep these and give them to Loch later.
Fine.
Bridget-
It's FINE. I was going to give them to him when he got home anyway so it doesn't matter.
Caleb isn't going to die, Bridget. The Devil isn't as fallible as the rest of us.
Cole died of a broken heart. They're brothers so it would be a genetic thing, I guess.
Who told you Cole died because of that?
I saw it happen. I watched it happen! What if it happens to Caleb too? What if it's me? What if I'm doing something that kills everyone the same way?
Sam doesn't ever break his gaze as he opens the bottle and shakes one single white pentagon-shaped chip out into his hand. He passes it to me and I take it obediently, swallowing it dry and then sticking out my tongue so he can make sure I swallowed it.
