for us. We’re going to take Rex to Emergency where two security guards will be waiting. They will take Rex up to recovery where Dr. Evan is going to put him on methadone for two days to dry Rex out. Then when he wakes, we’re going to make sure he signs rehab papers. Dr. Evan knows of a good facility in Jefferson Rex can go to for six months.”
My heart’s racing and my mouth is dry. It’s as if there’s a ticking time bomb in the room and everyone’s waiting for it to explode.
“Lana, I don’t need your approval to do this. But I respect you enough to do this with you in the room or wait until you leave if you don’t want to see this,” Corey announces.
“I’m good. I’m all for this plan. It’s something you should have done weeks ago,” I reply in an accusatory tone.
How much can one needle hurt? My brother has been pricking himself for months now.
“Mack, I’m going to need you to go to the other side of the bed. I need to find a vein on his forearm and he’s not going to like anyone touching him, so we’ll need to hold him down.”
Mackson moves to my side of the bed and I shuffle backward to give him room.
“Lana,” Corey calls my name with a firm tone, “if Rex starts flailing, I need you to grab one of his legs and hold him down as best you can, okay?”
I nod.
All at once, Corey and Mack grab a wrist each and turn Rex gently to lay flat on his back.
Rex starts to moan louder and pulls his arms toward himself. Corey searches for a vein while Rex slowly realizes that he’s being held down. The moment between the silence and the furious roar my brother lets out is shocking. My eyes widen and my body goes cold. In mere seconds he went from being sleepy to a bucking bull, thrashing about. His angry and desperate pleas to be let go break my heart.
Mack pushes down on Rex’s shoulder and wrist trying to keep him as still as possible, but it’s not enough to help keep him immobile for Corey to insert the needle. I try to grab his kicking foot, but I’m struggling to catch it.
Abruptly, Kodi and Reed race into the room and I’m pushed out of the way. They have Rex pinned down to the bed and Corey inserting the needle into his vein in no time.
Rex is yelling and cursing us all, red-faced.
I cover my mouth, trying to muffle the heartache desperate to escape. Rex jerks his head in my direction and his body freezes. His eyes grow glassy, and when I thought it could never be possible his cheeks grow pink. I’m desperate to look away. I don’t want to see my brother so low and now riddled with shame.
A jolt runs through my body as I realize I need to be here for my brother, not be the scared little sister. Rex deserves courage and strength from me, and in order to be there for him I must be strong.
I walk to the side of the bed, looking directly at Rex’s face and drop to my knees. His body relaxes as the morphine takes effect. Kodi and Reed slowly loosen their grip on Rex’s legs and step back from the bed. Mack and Corey remain, holding his wrists down.
Rex is still staring at me as if I’m a wonder to behold and also a curse.
“It’s going to be okay, Rex. I promise. We’re going to get you help. Soon this nightmare will be over.”
He relaxes his head back onto the pillow, his eyes still staring intently at me. “I need to wash away my regrets,” he says with a hoarse voice and mournful tone.
His words slash at my soul as if I’ve just witnessed my brother give up and say his goodbyes.
Chapter Twelve
Lana
My brother’s calm, contented and drugged up body is gently laid down on a hospital bed and taken by two security guards along with two nurses into an elevator, and we’re told to wait in Emergency. As soon as Dr. Evan is done treating and making Rex comfortable, he’ll come down and take us to my brother.
Mack walks us across the room to two blue, beat-up old seats by the doors closest to where the doctors and nurses are coming and leaving through.
That was two hours ago. I’m almost at breaking point.
Sitting on the edge of