Paimon
"Fuck me,"I stretched and fell on to the floor.
What the fuck? Was I sleeping on the edge of my bed?
I rubbed my eyes and observed my surroundings. I completely forgot the events of yesterday. And how cold Maine was, or maybe it was just Ivy's house?
I picked myself off the floor and rubbed my bare arms.
"Ivy?" I called up the stairs.
After waiting for a couple of seconds, I made my way to the kitchen. Maybe she was making breakfast or something?
To my disappointment, it was empty. But there was a note on the counter.
Paimon,
I had a few errands to run this morning. Please stay here until I get back. I'll teach you more about Snapchat and instagram.
-Ivy
P.s., pancakes are in the microwave.
I smiled as I read the note. There were little drawings and doodles all over the page. A few hearts and a few smiley faces. Maybe a hound? But there was only one head. Weird. But, I'm glad she didn't forget about me.
Also what the fuck is a microwave?
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Ivy
The familiar sounds of machines beeping filled the empty room. I hated hospitals.
Not for any reason in particular, but the smell of old people and death was exhausting. Not as much as dialysis though. Getting this treatment sucked more and more every time I got it done.
"Ivy! My favorite patient. How are you doll?" My doctor, Dr Renae, greeted me with a warm smile.
"I'm fantastic. Although I'm sure I'm your only patient today?" I cocked an eyebrow at her and nodded towards the three empty chairs. I shared the room with a girl named Megan. A boy named Connor, and an older gentleman named Rick. They were amazing company and often told me stories.
"Oh dear, no one has told you?" Renae smiled sadly.
I shook my head and felt the whole begin to form in my chest.
"They passed away yesterday. A big pile up on the highway. The hospital van was crushed by a 18 wheeler." Tears formed in both of our eyes and we let them loose.
I can't believe they're just gone. Just like that.
Rick will never get to retire, Connor will never be able to finish his Bob Ross painting, and Megan will never get to go to prom.
I couldn't stop thinking about all of the opportunities they will miss. Or how much pain their family must be in.
"Oh dear. Well let's get on with your treatment. This is your last one for about 2 months, you excited?" I was grateful Renae changed the subject.
"Absolutely. I plan to get a lot more done. I haven't had a lot of energy to clean my house or help out at church." I yawned, which was cut off by a wince as she prodded my arm with a IV.
"Good! We missed you at church yesterday. Where were you?" Renea pushed a few buttons on the machine and it began pumping.
I hadn't really thought about a decent excuse for missing. So I slowly closed my eyes and let my head fall backwards, hoping she'd believe my fake sleeping.
A few minutes later I head the shuffling of her slacks and then the door closed.
The fake tiredness soon turned real and I felt my eyes drift close.
—————————————-
Paimon
"That should do it," I grunted as I tightened a bolt on the pipe under the sink.
Ivy made me promise not to manipulate people to fix the broken shit around her house. She told me it's okay to be independent and not rely on other people to fix things for her.
I agree. But I'm still going to fix things I can for her. Like her leaky sink and her broken window upstairs.
I might have manipulated the heating company into giving her free gas the rest of her life. But she didnt need to know that.
I wiped my hands on a rag and sat at the island. It's been hours since she left. What could she be doing?
I spun around on the chair.
"Hello?" A groggy voice croaked from the front door.
I jumped from the island and peaked around the kitchen door way.
Ivy was pulling her key from the handle and placing bags on the floor.
She looked paler then before and definitely tired.
"Well hello darling." I smiled and walked to the door, grabbing the bags from the floor.
"No no. I got them." She smiled and reached to grab the bags.
"No ma'am." I shook my head and moved them away from her.
Ivy shook her head and nodded towards the kitchen.
"Did you sleep on the sofa well?"
We walked into the kitchen together and she leaned against the counter, out of breath from the short walk.
"A lot better then you apparently." I winked and began unloading the bags.
"I slept great. Just tired from my errands." She yawned and I noticed a red glow from her torso.
She was sick?