Finding the Pieces

Travis stood in the shower letting the water run over his head and down his body he was trying to mentally ready himself for Sydney and he was trying to sober up. He had a three hour flight ahead of him and it was already after ten o’clock. He’d eaten very little all day at the barbeque and that last bottle he’d turned up was hitting him hard.

He dressed and walked into the kitchen where his mother was waiting with a sandwich and a strong cup of coffee.

“Are you going to be okay tonight?”

“Ta mum, well I have to be so yes.”

“Your Dad filled me in on what’s been going on, I’m sorry for you Travis, if you think my talking to her would do any good?”

“It’s past that, Dr. Manus is with her now. We’ll get her straight.” He offered up a weak smile and bit into his sandwich.

She ran her hand across his shoulders and gave him a squeeze, “I’m sure you will Travis, I’ve never known you not to do what you set your mind to.”

Travis wasn’t so sure. He was quiet on his way to the airport. Bill finally gave up trying to talk to him.

Kyle met him in Sydney, “Doc Manus is still there he wanted to talk to you tonight.”

“It must be morning by now,” he wearily ran his hand over his hair. “How is she?”

“She was pretty upset and nervous you know from the pills. Doc’s put her out for the night.”

Once at his flat he went straight to the bedroom and sat down on the side of the bed and took her hand in his and kissed it. She was such a beautiful woman sleeping with her long blond hair spread out on the pillow. He thought she looked a little flushed and touched her forehead, there was no fever. He swallowed the ache at the back of his throat and went to find the doctor.

After explaining everything that he knew had taken place in the past week and before that, the doctor agreed to treat her at home. Travis did not want her hospitalized. After he left Travis wandered around the flat and out on the balcony and lit a cigarette.

“You gonna need me anymore tonight?” Kyle asked in the doorway.

“No Kyle, thanks for everything, I’ll see ya later today.”

He had a headache that wouldn’t let go, figuring it was self inflicted he wouldn’t take anything for it but walked down the hallway, checked on Jan again and went to bed in Tee’s room. He lay awake wondering how his life had come apart so quickly. Would he ever find all the pieces to fit it back together.