He passed through the gardens, the warm afternoon sun pleasant against his skin.An image of Arend at the front desk, his face red and swollen with anger, made Ry chuckle.He stepped into the locker room, changed into swim trunks, and left his clothes behind.
A shiver rippled across his back as he plunged into the water, and the cool liquid embraced him.He glided through the pool, the temperature a soothing balm.Sunlight fractured and sparkled on the rippling surface as Ry powered through the lanes, each lap a steady rhythm.The methodical sweep of his arms and the rhythmic kick of his legs blurred into a focused dance, propelling him through the shimmering blue.
After his swim and shower, he attended movie night.Upon returning to his room hours later, Ry spotted Arend's note.Until that moment, he had forgotten about the man’s visit.He considered throwing it away immediately.
Instead, he opened the letter and scanned the contents.Arend expressed his utmost disappointment with Ry: the revelation of a second rehab, his refusal to meet with his beleaguered manager.A concern about the bad PR in the tabloids for Ghostfire, for him.Ry smiled: anyway he could needle that asshole, he would take it.Besides, this story fit with the plan he and Dr.Rosa had been discussing the last few sessions.
He then journaled before turning in for the night.He slid into bed, the cool sheets a welcome sensation against his skin.Darkness enveloped him, thick and silent, yet sleep eluded him.He smiled, his mind a whirl of excitement.
?
The lobby buzzed with a low hum of activity, the murmur of conversations like a gentle tide.Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting shadows from the plants that dotted the space.Ry, a half-read novel clutched in his hands, adjusted how he sat in the plush armchair.He glanced at his watch.A quarter to one.They would be here soon.
He took a deep, calming breath, the cool filtered air sweet, and set the book aside.He closed his eyes, following a meditation to soothe himself.The gentle instructions echoed in his mind, a quiet focus amidst the ambient noise.
By the time he opened his eyes, his watch read one o’clock.New faces mingled with familiar ones as families and friends came to encourage the patients.Ry idly flipped through a glossy magazine, the paper smooth beneath his fingertips, to occupy his restless hands.Again, he tapped the letters to make sure they were all there.
A man in a crisp uniform approached him.“Mr.Clair?You have visitors.”Ry’s heart gave a small leap.He rose and followed the worker to the front desk.His friends stood at the desk, signing in.He grinned.
Alex had jeans tight across his legs and a loose-fitting t-shirt, sunglasses perched on his head.He was saying something to Lon.His long-time friend wore a sleeveless black tee and faded denim.Brand, currently scribbling, dressed in dark slacks and a pale blue button-up under a gray vest.
Ry rocked back and forth on his heels, waiting.He fidgeted with the letters in one hand, ready to give them in case he lost his nerve.
Lon was the first to notice him, and he offered a sheepish wave, a faint smile touching his lips.Ry returned the gesture.His chest expanded as if it might burst.A grin spread uncontrolled on his face.Warmth rolled through him, and he relaxed, waiting for Alex to finish signing in.It had been years since his body had thrummed with such a sensation of being alive.
Lon hugged him tight and spun him around.“Good to see you, Ry.”
Ry laughed.“You too, buddy.How was the drive?”
Lon shrugged.“Not bad, nice views, of course.”
Alex ruffled Lon’s hair and stood next to him.“Kinda strange to be back.”
Brand, last to come up, clapped Ry on the shoulder.“You’re looking better.Finally getting some sleep?”
“Yeah,” he said, tilting his head toward the doors leading to the garden.“Nicer outside and more private than here.”
He led them out the doors, past groups all chattering.He found a secluded nook near a fountain, the water tinkling musically.A couple of benches faced each other, and Ry sat on one.Lon plopped himself next to him, and Alex and Brand sat opposite.
“So,” Ry said, tapping the papers against the bench.“I wanted to give you each a letter.I’d like it if you could read it, and you don’t need to respond to me.”
He handed the letters out.Brand took his and tucked it into his vest pocket.Alex and Lon held on to theirs.
“Anyway, thanks for coming by to see me.”Ry glanced down at his hands.
Lon slung an arm over his shoulders, giving him a clumsy, sideways hug.“Of course, homeboy.”
Brand chuckled.
Alex broke the awkward silence.“Kinda weird to be here and not be in the program.”He looked around the garden.
“I bet,” Ry said, remembering when he’d come back that first day.“Same for me, though it feels right.”
“You seem to be better,” Brand said, his head tilted to the side, studying him for a moment.
Ry smiled.“Yeah, got a lot of work ahead.”He raked his hair.“And still recovering from … but I’m doing okay.I’ve learned new things about myself, life, and how to live.”
Alex nodded and said, “There’s a reason I picked it.”
