Page 86 of The Sun Sister

‘Sorry t’bother you, I’ll be okay...Took some tablets, an’ hopefully I’ll go to sleep soon. Bye.’

I ended the call and took the vodka bottle back to bed with me, leaving the cell where it was. I took two more pills, because I justhadto sleep, and curled up like a foetus wishing I’d never been born.

‘Nobody wanted me anyway,’ I gulped, as finally my eyelids began to droop and I fell asleep.

‘Electra?Electra,speak to me! Are you okay?’

The voice came from far away, as though it was muffled by a great black cloud hanging above me.

‘Mmm,’ I managed, feeling the blackness descending, but then someone was slapping my face hard.

‘Do you know how many she’s taken?’ said a male voice that I recognised but couldn’t place.

‘I have no idea. Should I call 911?’

I felt someone grab my wrist and press their fingers against it.

‘Her pulse is slow, but it’s there – go grab some water from the kitchen and bring some salt. We need to get her to vomit.’

‘Okay.’

‘Electra, how many pills did you take?’ the male voice boomed in my ear. ‘Electra!’

‘A few...’ I mouthed.

‘How many is a few?’

‘Four...six...’ I slurred. ‘Couldn’t sleep, y’see...’

‘Okay, okay.’

‘Shouldn’t we call an ambulance, Tommy?’

‘She’s conscious and talking. If we can get her to vomit, she should be okay. Okay, empty that salt into the water and stir it. Right, Electra, we’re gonna sit you up. And unless you want to go to the emergency room and have the whole world see you pushed in on a gurney, you’re gonna do exactly as I tell you. Right, here we go.’

I felt a strong pair of arms lift me upright and the world began spinning again.

‘I’m gonna puke! Shit!’

And I did, all over me, and the floor.

‘Grab a bowl!’ the male voice shouted as I vomited again. ‘Hey, you’re doing just great, sweetheart. We didn’t even have to give you that salt water,’ he said as I vomited some more. And then some more again.

‘I need to lie down, please let me lie down!’

‘Not yet. You’re gonna lean on me, and I’m gonna get you upright, then we’re gonna walk, okay?’

‘No, please, let me lie down.’

‘Mariam, get some strong black coffee on the go. You’re doing great, Electra,’ he said as he hauled me to standing, and I bent over and was sick yet again.

‘Who are you?’ I asked, my head lolling forward and my body feeling as limp as a rag doll.

‘I’m Tommy, the guy who stands outside your apartment building, remember? I’m your friend, okay, and I know what I’m doing, so trust me. Now, let’s walk, shall we? One foot in front of the other...That’s real good, sweetheart, keep going now. You got that coffee, Mariam?’

‘It’s coming right up.’

‘Great. Now, we’re gonna go out onto the terrace and take in some deep breaths of fresh air, okay? Here we go. Careful of the lip on the door...great! You’re out.’