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“Okay, would this conversation be better served in my office?” she asks, voice laced with hesitant curiosity.
“I stopped my Ambien. M- My use of it wasn’t exactly… as I said it was.”
The silence on the other line causes Emily to fidget and pull on a stray piece of fabric from one of the blankets on her bed.
“Just to make sure I’m understanding,” Dr. Morrison says, “you are – or were – abusing your Ambien?”
Emily closes her eyes in shame and swallows roughly.
“Yes. I’m so sorry, Dr. Morrison. The medication was working with my sleep. I wasn’t having nightmares; it was taking the voices away and the demons left me alone.” Her voice cracks. “I wanted the feeling to stay so I started using it outside of the schedule you prescribed.”
Her eyes flick to mine quickly before she resumes playing with the fabric.
“I –.” she clears her throat, “I found someone who was able to get me a few other medications that I wasn’t prescribed.”
“What medications?”
She lists them off, some I recognize from when I went through her medications, others I don’t.
“Emily, did you abruptly stop these medications?”
“I threw them out,” I answer.
“And you are?” Dr. Morrison asks.
“Liam. I’m Emily’s.”
“Emily’s what?”
“Just, Emily’s.”
Emily’s eyes flash before narrowing at me, brows quirking.
“Okay well Liam, are you aware of the dangers of stopping medications abruptly?”
“I’m aware of withdrawal symptoms.”
“There are other – very serious – risks with stopping medications, especially without the supervision of amedical professional.” She chastises. “Emily, I want you to come into my office as soon as possible so we can discuss this further.”
“Okay,” Emily agrees, nodding, despite Dr. Morrison not being able to see her.
“And Liam?”
“Aye?”
“Do be sure to come with her.”
I curse inwardly.
“Will do,” I reply.
Once Dr. Morrison hangs up, Emily sets the phone next to her and then moves the tray from her lap.
Without meeting my gaze she says, “I’m going to get in the shower,” and disappears into the bathroom.
I let out a long sigh, feeling the warmth of the water cascade down my body. My heart hasn’t stopped racing since I woke up and I feel the trembles down to my very bones.
I sense Liam before I see him. Turning my head, Liam is leaning against the doorframe watching me with his hands in his pockets.
