Eileen Slovak

Chapter Sixty-three: Girlfriend Code

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and locales are products of the author’s imagination. They are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental. Copyright © 2024 by Eileen Slovak.

Scott

There has to be another way to get through to Scarlet. I’m too stubborn to give up and she’s too stubborn to give in. Corky’s working the bar at the Un Pub. I’m waiting for her to take my order. Like old times, she places a beer in front of me.

     “Boy did you screw up royally!”

     “You think?” I take a large gulp of the beer. “I’m hoping you can help me out.”

      “I think the soft spot I had for you has scabbed over. I feel somewhat responsible for putting you two together in the first place, but my loyalty is to Scarlet. She doesn’t trust people easily. I don’t see any way to fix this mess.”

     “Will you talk to her.”

     “And say what?”

     “She won’t even talk to me. Haven’t you ever made a colossal mistake you were truly sorry for?”

     “Dude, you committed so many wrongs, it can’t be made right.”

      “Please, Corky.”

      “I can see how those eyes of yours can melt the hardest heart. But I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”

      She walks down the bar to serve another customer.

     I chug the beer and put my head down on top of my folded hands on the bar.

      From the other end of the bar, I can feel Corky watching me. I’m hoping she’s softening. She refills my beer glass.

      “You’re pathetic, you know that?”

     Nodding consent, I say, “you don’t understand Corky, I’m in love with her.”

      “I’ll tell you what, if she talks to me about it, I promise not to completely throw you under the bus. That’s my best offer. Take it or leave it.”

     “Thank you, Corky.”

     I know I’ll meet with the same level of resistance from Maggie, but I have to try anyway. She’s at the nurse’s station in the oncology ward. When she spots me, she grabs my arm and leads me into an empty patient room.

     “You better be dying because otherwise, you have no business being here right now.”

      “I’m having a form of heart failure. Does that count?”

      “Cute. In that case, you’re in the wrong unit. Cardiology is downstairs. Save it. I’m on to you.”

      “I don’t expect you to help me.”

      “Yes, you do. Why else would you be here?”

      “Because I love her. I don’t know what else to do.”

      “Scarlet is my very best friend. She’s been through hell. Then you come in to stoke the fire. What sort of sicko does that?”

      “Maggie, that’s the thing, I swear to you, I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t plan any of this. Believe me. Look, I’m not even that smart. I wish I was. Because then, I’d figure out a way to get her back. I kept trying to tell her, but every time I thought about saying something, I was afraid this would happen.”

      “You’re in the business of lying and sneaking around, buddy. Based on that, you’re untrustworthy. You’re probably lying to me right now. You want to know what I think? You should leave town. She shouldn’t be forced to ever run into you again.”

      “You’re right. But I can’t do that.”

      “Then you’re being selfish. I have patients with real problems. You need to leave this hospital before I give you a reason to be here.”

      “I actually do have a medical question. Can you help with that?” I have questions about the prescriptions I found in Trish’s apartment. Mr. Campbell had asked me to find out as much as possible about Trish’s problems. He’s close friends with her father and wants to make sure she gets the help she needs.  

      “You’re pushing it now.”

      “If a person has bipolar disorder, but they go off their meds, what happens?”

      “Nothing good. It’s not really my area, but Joe knows all about medications. He’s seen people really messed up when they stop taking their prescribed medications. What has that got to do with anything?”

      “Just something I’m working on. Listen, I’m going, so you don’t have to hurt me.” I hold up my hands defensively. “Thanks, Maggie. I’m glad Scarlet has you. You’re a good friend.” I say, walking to the elevator. From the photos of the prescription bottles, I see they were full and the fill dates weren’t recent. I made a mess of things but I can still do some good here.