Joel was here this morning. Early. Whoever gave him a key is about to be ruined, he's a stranger and my children sleep in this house.
He will tell you he's one of Jacob's oldest and dearest friends and in order to make the big switch to being one of mine as well, he sacrificed everything. I don't recall asking him to do it. Jeez. My 'fondest' memories of the guy are being undressed by him in the front hall after I came home, after Jacob flew, and before that of him chasing me up the steps right behind Jake and then both of them holding me down while Joel slid a whole shitload of tranquilizers into my veins after Cole.
Maybe psychiatrists are not the best sorts of friends to have. I don't know any anymore though, so I can't answer that.
I need to talk to Ben. You keep saying he isn't doing so hot. Is anyone doing anything about it?
Sam walks in. His timing. I don't even know. I'm working with him.
Maybe he'd like to talk for a bit to someone else.
I'm working with him. Sam repeats himself. Joel misses the vitriol and continues to address me. Ask him or I will. There's too much at risk for him to have you two put up a wall in front of me.
You're unqualified.
I have the training.
And it's ILLEGAL for you to use it anymore, Joel.
So help your husband and maybe keep it quiet. Isn't he worth doing everything you can?
Ben will be fine.
You're an enabler, Bridget.
I'm PROTECTING him from YOU.
I'm not out to hurt him.
Then leave us alone.
What's going on? My patient comes into the room. Still raspy, still hurting but won't stay down. I start tea for him and turn back to Joel.
Joel was stopping by to offer some help but he has to go now.
Bridget, if you stand in the way of Ben's recovery you'll have to answer to all of us.
Threats? Really? Is this because I talked to August?
I could hear you.
From the front porch. You live a hundred yards away. Were you eavesdropping?
If he shows up and suddenly you have a laundry list of people you want him to fix then you need to look closer to home.
Oh my God. You're jealous.
No, I want to help. I want to make amends.
By moving in and secretly keeping notes on me for Caleb? You had one job, Joel. I guess you botched it good. Maybe you should save face and just go.
But Lochlan is watching Joel and he's not going to dismiss him the way I do.
Is that it? Is she right? Are you jealous of August?
I'd like to help.
And Lochlan roars. ANSWER THE QUESTION! His voice is so strained it hurts to listen.
Joel stands there. I don't know how hard it is to weigh the words but it's going to be better for him if he just admits his weakness (not like it won't be shared, diluted among them all) but instead he lies and says he just wants to help any way he can, and that he'll have a report for me on Caleb soon just so we're on equal ground.
I don't want that.
I do, says Loch.
Hush, you.
Sam says This isn't the way they play the game and I burst out laughing because he's right. Oh, he's so right.
Joel says he'll drop it off later and I see him out. At the door I ask for the key and he gives it and I tell him if he's hungry or he needs something that he can message me or PJ and we will feed him or whatever but he doesn't have the right to just walk in. He's a guest, not a member of the collective and that's never going to change.
Please tell Ben to come see me, Bridget. Don't be selfish now. You've never acted this way in your life. Don't risk it with Ben.
I shut the door in his face.
