Page 27 of Social Sinners

“What if it was a fluke? What if the nightmares return tonight?” he rapidly rattled off. I hated how concerned he was, but I couldn’t deny the same concern hadn’t already crossed my mind.

“Well, let’s just hope that’s not the case,” I told him as I knocked on the door. The doctor greeted us as she opened it with the usual good morning and waited while we got situated before beginning.

“Easton, I have to say you look rested. Do you have something positive to share?”

“I did not have a single dream last night,” he reported. “Fell right to sleep curled up beside this man.”

“How do you feel about that?” she prodded.

“Happy. Scared. Excited. Nervous. Every emotion I can think of is coursing through me right now. I want to believe it’s finally over, but something is telling me itstoogood to be true,” he answered honestly, for which I internally commended him. Each emotion flitted across his face as he ran through them.

“Well, Easton, I can understand your concerns. But hypnosis has a very high success rate. I won’t deny that there have been patients it has missed the mark for. Your mental health is the key component in your physical well-being. As a recovering addict, it is best we work through this without the use of pharmaceuticals.” I couldn’t agree with her statement more. “I’ll stay on for the remainder of the week, and if you have no more nightmares, I’ll sign off on your release papers on Saturday. I’m assuming you’d like Diamond to stay here with you?” She asked, eyeing both of us.

“Yes please, his presence calms me.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ll make the arrangements and have Sal call the hotel to pack the rest of Diamond’s things and send a messenger for them,” she offered.

“No need, I have it all. I packed light,” I informed her. “Sal just needs to check me out of the room. I’ll shoot him a text and let him know.” I was glad this wasn’t going to turn into an argument regarding where I was sleeping. After last night, there was no way I was leaving his side without a fight.

“Diamond, I have to ask,” Dr. Linden said to me, “how did you sleep last night?”

“Like a log, best I’ve slept in a long time.”

“No dreams or issues with yesterday’s session for you?” she questioned. Easton stared at me, hanging on to every word I said. I knew he was worried about what would happen to me once I heard him recount the crash. But I was confident I’d be all right.

“Nah, I rarely dream when I sleep. It’s kinda weird. Every once in a while, I will, but that’s few and far between.” Which wasn’t a lie. I honestly couldn’t remember the last dream I’d had.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it. Sometimes it’s harder on those who hear the details of the traumatic events their loved ones experienced. Did Easton toss and turn at all?”

“I’m good Doc, but thank you for your concern. He didn’t move an inch last night, and I always wake when he does.” I know she was worried about me and while I appreciated it, I didn’t want to take the focus off Easton. If something changes, I’ll contact her– after I know he’s over the hump that is.

“Easton, I don’t want to keep you any longer, but as I previously mentioned, I’ll stay on for the remainder of the week. I’m here for you so if you want to talk at any given time just ring the receptionist and have her patch you through to me. I’ll update Sal on your progress, he’ll be pleased. Don’t forget you have group therapy after lunch today, which is part of your rehabilitation program so you can’t miss it. Otherwise, I’ll see you again tomorrow morning at ten.”

“Diamond, may I have a moment with you?” Dr. Linden asked. Easton eyed us curiously but stepped out of the room. “Diamond, I need you to remember the ending Easton wrote. I cannot reiterate this enough. Any time he brings it up, please recite it to him–verbatim. If it’s altered in any way, it could be detrimental to his therapy and healing.”

“Understood, and I can assure you I’ll stick to the script.” There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell I was fucking this up for him. Anything I could do to help was a given.

“Thank you,” she said, I nodded before meeting Easton in the hallway.

After lunch, Easton dropped me off at his room, which gave me time to call Sal and get the trip planned.

“Sal Masterson,” he answered on the second ring.

“Sal, it’s Diamond. Don’t you have my number in your cell?” I laughed.

“Yes, sorry. I hit answer before I saw who it was. I’m glad you called. I just hung up with Dr. Linden, and she said the hypnosis seems to have worked. What’s your take on it?”

“Well,” I plopped down on the bed, “he slept last night without any nightmares. I really want to believe this is over for him Sal.”

“Me too. Hopefully, it is. Dr. Linden said you’re staying there the rest of the week?”

“Yeah, I’m not leaving him. Can you take care of checking me out of the hotel?”

“Consider it done. Anything else?”

“I want to take East on vacation when he gets out. The house won’t be ready for another two weeks. I thought it would be good to take him somewhere to relax before jumping back into our hectic lives,” that was putting it mildly. Our upcoming schedules were quickly filling up.

“I like your train of thought, son. How can I help?” Sal asked, and I knew he meant it. He was a great guy and a more than fair manager. Sal didn’t take any shit from us but was always there whenever we needed him. His trust and love for his son shone through in all he said and did concerning Easton. If only we could all be so lucky to have parental figures who loved us unconditionally.

“He said he’d like to go to Hawaii. Think you can take care of the arrangements? Somewhere secluded with a private beach. My only request is I’d like to take surfing lessons. I’ll text you a list of what we need when we get there, but I’d like to leave straight from here on Saturday after they release him.”Hopefully, they release him.

“That I can do. And son?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for taking care of my boy.”

“I love him, Sal. I’d do anything for him.”

“That’s music to this old man’s ears.”

---