Patient Privilege Read Online Free PDF Page A

her start until they'd prayed. After all, "Jesus was the reason for the season," or something like that. He could smell his mother's Christmas ham in the oven. Cakes and candies lined the kitchen counters. The Christmas tree still smelled of fresh pine. His entire family stood in the living room by the tree, holding hands and praying together. One big, happy family like they'd always been.
    That was the last time he'd ever been truly happy and the last time he'd believed someone honestly gave a shit about him. It was real and wholesome and warm, and Goddammit, why had he left in the first fucking place? He loved his mom and sister enough to endure the shit his dad put him through. So why in the hell didn't he grow a pair and tell his dad to go to hell?
    Because running away to be a junky whore in Los Angeles seemed so much easier.

Chapter Five
     
    Monday morning. Erik stood in front of his mirror, raking his fingers through his bland brown hair longer than he normally would have. Every little hair had to be perfect. No five o'clock shadow. Nothing that could possibly make him look anything less than utterly desirable for his lunch date with Marshall. He'd even given consideration to the contacts he hated wearing, but the wire-rimmed glasses gave him an air of sophistication Marshall had always said he adored.
    He ran his hands down the crisp line of his hunter green dress shirt, made sure the buttons aligned perfectly with the zipper of his khakis and the modest silver buckle of his brown leather belt—the gig line, his father used to call it. With a nod, and nearly thirty minutes of wasted time, he decided he looked as good as he ever would. If Marshall didn't appreciate the care he'd taken, then oh, well. His loss.
    Grabbing his messenger bag, Erik left his apartment and went down to the beater he'd bought after moving to LA. He'd heard people liked to steal cars around those parts, and he didn't have the time or patience to deal with cops and insurance companies if something like that happened to him. So, a used Honda Accord replaced the sleek black Volvo he'd totaled in his drunken fit. And honestly, the Honda made him a happier man.
    Since he'd taken the extra time in front of the mirror, he would have to skip his daily stop at Starbucks and head straight for West Clinic—and pray the complete absence of caffeine in his system didn't turn him into an utter pain in the ass. He pulled into the parking lot and straight into the space set aside for him before heading inside.
    As he walked the faded yellow halls and met all the nurses' sweet, smiling faces, he couldn't help but think about Marshall. What did he honestly hope to get out of his lunch date with his ex? Besides the obvious anyway. Did he think Marshall would take him back? Did he think his ex would vow his undying love to him?
    "Dr Daniels! Dr Daniels!" Roni called from the end of the hall, but he was so involved with his thoughts about Marshall, he didn't hear her frantic voice. "Dr Daniels!" she cried out again, and this time, Erik actually heard her.
    His head whipped back just as Roni's footsteps became louder. Absolute panic filled her face. He frowned and reached out to touch her arm. "What's wrong?"
    "Chris," she panted. "He tried to kill himself. He's in the ER at County right now. He won't talk to anyone."
    At first, Erik didn't know what to do. He'd been making so much progress with Chris, and last night, when he'd left the clinic, Chris seemed fine. The news of a suicide attempt blew him away and knocked his brain a little off orbit.
    "What the hell happened?"
    "Bed sheets. He tried to hang himself." Tears filled Roni's eyes. She shook her head. "I don't know. He seemed fine at checks and when I came back to give him his meds…" Her tears started falling harder.
    Erik thumbed a tear from her cheek and said, "Shh… It's okay. Calm down." She stared up at him as if she suddenly saw him as some sort of hero or something. Erik took a deep breath,