Chapter 5 Present #2
“Wonderful,” the woman said when he handed her the forms. “Your single room is ready. You can relax and settle in before starting tomorrow. David, one of our staff members, will be around to show you the facility once you’ve finished inspection.
We just want to make sure you and our other patients have the best and most productive experience here. We focus on healing here.”
“Okay,” he said, looking around. The rest of the reception area was spacious. Several plants and benches created separate nooks, and thick rugs covered much of the tiled floor. Most of the place seemed to revolve around circular or square seating. “So, where do I go for this inspection?”
The woman smiled, and it didn’t seem fake. She gestured to behind him. “It’s a very simple procedure, much like going through security for a commercial flight.”
He turned away from the cheerful woman to the security booth that looked less like security and more like a help desk.
Two burly men, the same size as Alex had been a couple of years ago, stood there.
They were equally polite, instructing him to walk through what, at first, had appeared to be an elaborate archway but was really a scanning machine.
They pronounced him clean after he entered, and David, the large man with lighter hair, introduced himself.
“Welcome again to the Rosewood Clinic.” David reminded him of the major reason he was here: to see Alex and hopefully repair some of the damage he’d done so long ago—if possible.
“Here we have the lobby. This area is mostly for a meeting place and relaxation outside of one’s room after hours.”
Ry nodded along.
David led him outside, through one of the meditation gardens, complete with fountains to drown out any noise from the city.
A labyrinth at the center drew his eye, its two colorful paths surrounded by ornate and comfortable benches.
Next, his guide showed him the outdoor activity recreation area, which Ry knew Alex would love.
There was a pool, tennis courts, a basketball court, an obstacle course, and more.
“We also have 10 miles of hiking trails in the hills behind here with some wildlife,” David mentioned, pointing to the hills surrounding the buildings.
“Gotta sign up early if you want to go, Mr. Clair. It’s a popular activity. ”
Ry grinned. He imagined him and Alex talking through their past, working out the bad while hiking, with a view of the ocean in the distance and a breeze stirring salt with pine.
David led him back to the main building, and they followed an enclosed walkway between medical facilities and meeting rooms on the other side.
Here, there was no sterility or industrial weight.
The rooms and grounds were calm, with warm, ample lighting and soft, cushioned chairs, counseling rooms for the patients, and a few doctors on staff for any withdrawal symptoms. After that, they crossed back to the main building and into a nearly identical walkway to another building that housed all the residents. He would stay here with all the others.
David led Ry to his room, and he found he had a lovely view of the ocean. Trees framed the vast expanse, and a rare few clouds dotted the sky. In truth, it was picture-perfect, and he couldn’t help but feel at ease here. He stepped into the room and took off his jacket.
“We serve meals in the cafeteria three times a day, with snacks offered 24/7 should you need something any time of day,” David said.
“Breakfast is from 6 to 9, lunch 11 to 2, and dinner from 5 to 9:30. If you have any dietary restrictions not already mentioned, please tell Sandy at the front desk, and she’ll add that to your file. Do you have questions?”
“Uh, no, not at the moment,” Ry said, looking around his room.
“If you do, just pick up the phone and the front desk will help. Tomorrow morning a staff member will meet with you to help you plan and achieve your goals for your stay.”
“Thank you,” Ry said.
David bowed out of the room, closing the door behind him. After a couple of minutes settling in, and finding himself bored and too sober already, he headed down to the cafeteria to get some dinner—at least it was something to do and he might encounter Alex in the public area.
The cafeteria proved to be a good choice. Ry saw a few people he recognized from industry events, but they weren’t close acquaintances. None were celebrities per se, but important people in the business.
Ry grabbed a tray. The buffet looked and smelled wonderful. It reminded Ry of when Brand used to cook. 100% homemade food. Nothing microwaveable for the elite here. Ry supposed it made sense with recovery and all. He grabbed a burger, fries, and a salad. He picked up a glass of water.
He took his tray and headed to sit down at a table. Although the place featured several large communal tables in the center of the room, the edges contained tables for one or two. Well, at least he’d be able to sit away from others, not that anyone would talk to him anyway.
He ate his dinner and watched people. After finishing every bite, a feat for him even on a good day, he looked around for a tray return.
There, walking in, was Alexander. He looked exhausted, worn thin, almost as if he were a ghost himself. Ry almost stood and walked over to him, but refrained for now. He didn’t want Alex to know he was here just yet.
Avoiding Alex’s gaze wasn’t hard. Ry tried to slip out of the cafeteria.
But fate, apparently, had other plans for him.
As he was dropping off his tray, Alex must have noticed him.
Before he could take three steps, Alex stood in his way, and Ry had to stop in his tracks to avoid running into a tray full of food.
“Uh—”
“I’m not interested in hearing anything, Orion.” Alex stood like a statue. He looked haunted. “I’m here to heal, so don’t fuck it up.”
Ry’s mouth was dry. “I’m here for the same reason.”
“Well then.” Alex motioned with his tray. Ry stepped out of the way and made his way back to his room.
The only sound that accompanied him on his walk back to his room was the squeak of his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
His body thrummed, his hands leaden at his sides, and his heart pounded to the rhythm of his steps.
A raw thirst gnawed at him, making him yearn for a single drop of liquor.
Equally unavailable, he longed for the dulling peace Xanax offered to subdue his surging anxiety.
His breath hitched in his throat, a cold dread washing over him as he stared at the daunting mountain of recovery ahead.