Platinum Rings, Picture Frames and Red Duvet Covers


Ch. 11 Bad Combination

They arrived home and Benji was shoved into his bed and left to sleep more. Billy and Paul said goodnight and Joel shut the door. He jumped in the shower and tried to scrub away the anger. Joel calmed down a little and threw on an old pair of plaid pajama pants and a gray t-shirt. He looked over at Benji and shook his head- still angry. Joel went downstairs and checked the messages and locked the house. He came back up to his room and went to go lay down. He looked over and noticed Benji trembling. He got up and pulled the covers down. Joel immediately noticed something was wrong with Benji. He picked up the phone and dialed 911 as he yelled for Billy and Paul. They came running into the room both in their underwear. The next five minutes went by in a blur as the ambulance came and Joel left with Benji. He yelled to Billy and Paul, “Go get Julie.” They threw on some clothes and sped over to Julie’s apartment.

POUND. POUND. POUND. Julie heard as she was startled awake. She flipped the light on as she heard what sounded like Paul yelling her name. She opened the door to see a worried Paul and Billy on her doorstep. Paul was yelling, “Benji… Hospital… Come now.” That was all she heard and turned and threw a sweatshirt on over her sweats and grabbed her keys and her shoes. They ran to the car and Paul drove as fast as he could through the empty midnight streets.

They arrived at the hospital and ran in the emergency. Joel was pacing around in the waiting room and when he saw Julie he ran up to her and collapsed on the floor. Julie slid down and he balled into her arms. Billy and Paul tried to check on how Benji was. All they found out was that he was having his stomach pumped and they couldn’t see him yet. Julie tried to pick up Joel. “What happened?” Joel sobbed, “It’s my fault. He made me mad and I yelled at him.” Julie tried, “It’s not your fault.” Joel sat up, “No- it is!” The doctor came through the door, “Madden?” Joel jumped up and the doctor held up his hands, “He’s going to be okay. Is he on anti-depressants?” Joel threw his arms up, “Fuck! I forgot about that.” The doctor continued as Billy, Paul, and Julie joined Joel. “Well he has high levels of the anti-depressants, Vikadin, and Alcohol. He will have to stay here for overnight monitoring. So I suggest you all take a seat and you should be able to see him in around 20 minutes. You are the brother I presume?” Joel nodded his head and the doctor continued, “I need to speak with you a second.” He pulled Joel into a little room and Julie sat down with Billy and Paul back in the waiting room.

Joel was shaking as the doctor spoke with him. “Calm down son- I just need to ask you a few things. With such high levels of these stimulants we have to ask some questions. First do you know where he would get these? Have they been prescribed to him?” Joel nodded, “He’s been on anti-depressants for about three weeks now. The Vikadin he had from about a month ago- he hurt his arm.” Joel stopped and rubbed his eyes, “The umm… The alcohol he got tonight. He was being stubborn and we let him drink too much. I shouldn’t have let him- I forgot that the anti-depressants and alcohol don’t mix.” The doctor nodded, “Okay I have one more question. Is there any possibility that he could have tried to end his life?” Joel closed his eyes and nodded his head. The doctor continued, “All right. Thank you for your help- stay here as long as you need. There will be forms to fill out- but that will come later. Calm down, get some coffee- he’s going to be fine. Since it is an attempt- a hospital staff will stay in his room at all times.” Joel nodded and leaned up against the wall.


Ch. 12 Stay

Joel slowly walked out into the waiting room and sat down in front of the three others. He put his head in his hands and cursed at himself. Billy leaned forward, “How is he?” Joel cleared his throat, “He tried to commit.” Julie couldn’t stop the tears. Joel stood up and went to her side. He sobbed along with her. She pulled away and stood up, “It’s all my fault. I should leave. I’ve caused enough problems.” Joel stood up and grabbed her, “You can’t leave. It’s not your fault. I'm the one who pushed him to drink tonight. I shouldn’t have yelled at him. He needs you. Julie you have to do something.” Julie fell to her knees, “What can I do? He cheated on me. God I love him but he hurt me.” Billy slid down next to her, “Just assure him that living is better than not.” Paul joined them and Joel did too. “You two will make it through,” Paul added. They all were crying and Joel begged, “Please don’t go.” Julie nodded and they sat there for five more minutes until they saw Benji being wheeled into another room. They all got up and ran after him and the nurses stopped them, “Family only.” Joel nodded and followed him into the room. Billy went and called Steve as Paul sat with Julie as she tried to calm down.


Next- Ch. 13 and 14
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