My nightmare of a shift was finally over and I got to relax at home. I was disappointed that I couldn't say goodbye to Ares and thank him one last time. The ER was backed up and I couldn't tear myself away. I rushed over there as soon as I could but Nurse Fiona gave me the bad news that he was already gone. Maybe I'd see him again someday.
I walked down the hallway of my apartment complex and pulled out my keys. Flashes of my keys in the pharmacy flooded into me. My heart jumped out of my chest. I looked behind me expecting to find Dr. Green but nobody was there. Don't let it get to you, Owen.
Winona was lounging on the couch when I entered. The living room was drenched in darkness and The Notebook was playing on the small TV. I threw my keys on the keyring next to the door. I didn't want to see those for awhile.
Winona paused the movie and turned towards me. “How was your day?” Her glance turned to horror when she saw my face. “What happened to you?”
I didn't know that I was projecting the image of a victim. Winona picked up on it immediately. “Nothing happened. Just a little run in with Dr. Green again.” How much should I tell her? I didn't want her to worry. It was already over.
Winona sat me on the couch and handed me a glass of red wine. “Dish it, big bro. Tell me everything.”
“He cornered me and put his hands on me.” I could still smell her nasty perfume.
Winona's fingernail's dug into my arm. “That fucker. I'm going to kill her.” Winona would do anything for me and that's why I loved her.
I put my hands up for her to stop. “I punched him in the stomach. I doubt he's ever going to come my way again.”
“I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Owen.” Winona loosened her grip on me and held my hand.
“I'm fine...really I am.” I took a much needed sip of wine. My head was already cloudy and the buzz came on instantly.
Winona elbowed me in the side. “Tell me about this other man that you obviously have on your mind. What's his name?”
“Ares. He's just a guy. That's all.” He wasn't just a guy...he was the pinnacle of man. I don't know how I feel about him.
Winona cocked her head. “Yeah right. Just a guy my ass.” She pointed at my cheeks. “I've never seen you blush before. Ever.” This must be some man to hold your attention.
Winona knew way too much about me. I'd never really felt like this before for any man. But Ares was different. I waved her away. “Enough about me. What did you do today? Find a job yet?” I couldn't think about Ares anymore.
Winona downed her glass and poured another. “Do you always have to bring that up. No I didn't find a job yet.”
I felt bad. Here she was helping me out and all I ever tried to do was lecture her. “I'm sorry, Winona. I don't even really care if you get a job or not. I just like you being here. So what did you do today?”
“How about watching the Notebook five times in a row. That sounds really pathetic when you say it out loud.”
“If it's a man you're looking for you just need to put yourself out there. You won't find anyone sitting on the couch all day.” Maybe I should take my own advice? “I think you'd feel better if you found a job.”
“I've tried but nobody's hiring. I sent out twenty resumes yesterday and got nothing back.” Winona fiddled with the TV remote.
“I can get you a desk job at the hospital.”
Winona shrugged. “A desk job?”
“It won't pay much but it will get you out of the house.”
“Owen, I didn't drop out of college and make our parents disown me for just a desk job,” she said with a straight face.
I stared into her eyes, not blinking. Her smile cracked first and we both collapsed into a giggling mess. I always beat her. “There's some cute straight doctors that I could introduce you to.”
Winona's ears perked up. “Tell me more, Owen, tell me more.”
I shoved her away. “Just play the movie again. I need to relax.”
Winona poured me another glass of wine and started the movie again. Noah was in the middle of building the house for Allie and she hadn't seen him in years. This movie always brought me to tears. I hated the fact that they loved each other so much and if it wasn't for her bitch mother, they'd still be together. I guess love doesn't work the way you want it to.
I watched as the beautiful Ryan Gosling pounded nails into wood and all I could think about was Ares. His shirtless chest, that devil tattoo, and his strong arms. If he could just hold me, I'd be happy forever. Damn he was so hot.
Before I knew it, the credits were rolling. I glanced over and Winona was fast asleep against the arm of the couch, her hand gripping an empty wine glass. I draped a blanket over her, gently placed the wine glass on the coffee table, and kissed her on the forehead. I'd talk to my boss tomorrow and see if they could give her a job. It would do her some good to get out of the house for once.
I swayed back and forth as I walked to the bathroom. The wine was doing its job. I stared at myself in the mirror and my lips were stained purple from the alcohol. I carried myself to my bed and lay down with my clothes still on. Ares' name escaped my lips before I passed out in a drunken state.