Delivery
“One pinaeapple pizza with pepperoni. That will be $9.99.”
“Umm, I am not sure I want this.”
“Isn’t this flat number 43? Isn’t your name Suzie Collins?”
“It is. It is. It’s just I don’t eat pineapple. I’m allergic. It gets bad...if I don’t take my meds, I could bite the dust.”
“Wow. Then why order it?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I ran out of sleeping pills and am too scared to try the noose.”
“Hmm. Have you tried counselling? I go twice a month.”
“Really? I’ve never been. Does it help?”
“It does help. The cutting stops and you start feeling better.”
“Isn’t it expensive? Therapy I mean?”
“It is. I work two jobs. But I’m healthier now and am going to graduate soon.”
“That’s wonderful. I work a dead end job in IT, what are you majoring in?”
“I’m an Art major. Do you like to code?”
“That’s nice. I used to like coding. I don’t like my boss.”
“Then why not switch?”
“I’m scared.”
“And death is better?”
“It’s finite.”
“I think so too. I used to think of ending things for myself sometimes...”
“Don’t do it. You’re young and you have a bright future. Don’t take that road.”
“That’s a little hypocritical don’t you think?”
“Well... I suppose so.”
“You don’t do it either then. Get help. Here, I’ll give you my doctor’s number. You can visit her tonight too if you like. She’s available till 9 pm.”
“Wow, this is embarassing to say, ugh, please excuse the tears. My ex-husband owns my car now. He gets the house next week. I have no money...”
“Come with me then. My shift is over anyway. I’ll give you a ride on my bike. Take your insurance papers and you won’t have to pay directly. ”
“You’d do that? Thank you so much. I’ll grab my coat.”
“Sure. I’ll wait.”
...
“Hi again. Thanks for waiting.”
“No problem. Climb on.”
“Don’t drive too fast.”
“You know what’s funny?”
“What?”
“Two deppressed souls driving recklessly to therapy.”
“That’s actually funny.”
″...You won’t do it right? After you speak to the doctor. After I drop you home?”
“You’d drop me home? Your other question...no...I...I’d like to see you graduate. You’re almost as old as my son would be.”
“Your son?”
“He overdosed.”
“I’m sorry Mrs. Collins...oh look, we’re here.”
“That was fast. You’ll wait?”
“Of course.”
...
“How’d it go?”
“I feel so much lighter. I --- feel understood. I set up a meeting for next week.”
“That’s good to hear. You’ll be fine. Hop on then.”
“Whoops. Almost fell down. I’m on now.”
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
...
“Well we’re here.”
“Thank you for dropping me home.”
“No problem. Hey what’s this?”
“Tickets. To the football game next week and the art exhibition at St. Mary’s.”
“Oh my God! You have tickets to the exhibition? This is insane! You’re giving them to me---I can’t take---”
“I bought them for my ex-husband. Here, I’m sorry I couldn’t pay for the pizza.”
“Don’t worry about the pizza. You don’t have to give them to---”
“There’s two tickets of each. Bring a date with you, if you like.”
“But---you should come with me then.”
“No no. I’m old and don’t understand these things. I’d like to come to your graduation though. Can I?”
“Of course. I’ll swing by tomorrow to give you an invitation card. It will be great to have someone there to cheer me on.”
“Your parents won’t mind?”
“Nah. I’m sure they’ll be smiling from heaven.”
“Oh... I’ll see you then?”
“Of course.”
#SeekHelp
#YouAreNotAlone
#Kindness
#Listening helps
#Hope
#Love
#Pizza
#Friendship
#Son
#Mother
#Divorce
#Depression
#Therapy
#Life
Thank you for reading!
Beautifully written!
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