“Please,” Bernard said.
Bernard fell asleep.
*
RORY SPENT THEday cleaning the house. He washed Bernard’s clothes and bedding and cleaned out the fridge. Some of the food had gone bad.
There was a knock at the door.
Kelly stood in the doorway, Ginger and Chester at his feet.
“Hey, Rory,” he said, “how’s Bernard doing?”
“Not too good, to be honest,” Rory said. “I found him in bed with an empty bottle of whiskey on the floor.”
“Shit, what happened?”
“Come in and have a seat.”
Kelly let the dogs out back and joined Rory in the living room.
“So,” Rory said, “he stopped taking his medication for anxiety and started drinking again.”
“He did what?”
“Yeah, it was bad,” Rory said. “I got him cleaned up, got him to drink a lot of water, and now he’s sleeping in his spare room.”
“Damn, I’m glad he’s okay.”
“I’m going to call the number and try to get him a refill.”
“If you need anything, I’m ready to help.”
“I think you’ve done a lot already,” Rory said, “but if you can keep Ginger for just a few more days while we get him regulated on his medication and focus on getting better, that would be great.”
“I’d be happy to. Chester’s been happy and active with Ginger around. I might need to get him a dog.”
They both laughed.
“Would you like some coffee?” Rory asked.
“That sounds good,” Kelly said.
Rory busied himself with the coffee while Kelly sat at the kitchen table.
“Are you going to tell Sarah and John?” Kelly asked.
“I have to. They should know what happened.”
They sat with the coffee in silence. Rory worried about Bernard’s well-being.
“Well, I better let you take care of things here. You still have my number?”
“Yes.”
“Great. Take care of him.”
“I will.”
