Read Online Magic in Our Hearts by Jeanne Mccann - Free Book Online Page B

draperies and were busily cleaning the room. In the full light of day the room was even more dismal, as the sight of several empty Scotch bottles laid testimony to what Brett was doing to herself. Garbage overflowed the one wastebasket, and dirty clothes were piled up everywhere.
    “Here, let me help.” Taylor gathered up a stack of dirty clothes and followed Helen out of the room as Fran made up the double bed. “I need some clean towels for her bathroom.”
    “I’ll show you where everything is,” Helen remarked as she led Taylor to the laundry storeroom. “There are towels and sheets in this room.”
    “Thanks.”
    “We should be thanking you. Brett needs someone to penetrate her thick skull. We’ve been so worried about her.”
    “I don’t know if I can do much more than try and get her to eat and exercise.
    And she has to stop all the alcohol. She needs to get all of it out of her system and start focusing on her rehabilitation.”
    “She’s going to go through withdrawal.”
    “I know.” Taylor looked into Helen’s eyes as she responded. It was going to be an uphill battle. They were all going to have to work together as a team.
    “Here are a handful of towels.”
    Taylor hurried back through the bedroom and into the bathroom just as Brett stepped out of the shower. The sight of all the scars on the once beautiful body made Taylor cry out. Brett’s skin was pale, making the angry red scars stand out.
    Four-inch scars slashed over both kneecaps, and several long scars jaggedly crossed her chest. Her skin hung on her emaciated frame with no evidence of muscle tone in any part of her body. Her ribs were evident, and her stomach was concave. She looked half starved.
    “Oh Brett …” 
    “Get the fuck out!” Brett screamed, mortified that Taylor was seeing all that she had done to herself.
    “I brought you some clean towels,” Taylor whispered, her eyes locked on Brett’s angry countenance.
    “Get out!”
    Taylor backed quickly out of the bathroom before she burst into tears. The beautiful body she remembered was literally crisscrossed with surgical scars, evidence of the extensive work done to repair her body. Taylor grieved over the amount of pain and suffering Brett had gone through.
    Brett picked up a towel and buried her face in it. Hot tears streamed from her eyes as she felt the shame and embarrassment deep in her heart. “Goddamn it, why Taylor?”
    Taylor turned and found Fran and Helen watching her closely, their faces studies in compassion. “She’s gone though so much.”
    “Yes, she has.”
    “Where are some clean clothes for her to wear?”
    “In the credenza over there are sweats and tee shirts, along with underwear.” Taylor slowly went over and rummaged through the drawers, pulling out sweats, a shirt, and clean panties. She approached the bathroom door with trepidation, knowing how angry Brett was. She knocked softly on the door.
    “What!”
    “Brett, I have some clean clothes for you.” The door was ripped open and, before Taylor could utter a word, Brett grabbed the clothes from her and slammed it in her face. Taylor backed away and turned to the two grinning women.
    “Well, that went well,” Fran commented, as she turned back to the bed and finished making it. “I want to bring a vacuum in here tomorrow and do some more dusting in this room.”
    “That’s a good idea, Fran. As soon as I talk to Brett about our schedule, I’ll let you know what the best time would be.”
    “Good. Things are looking up around here.” Before Taylor could respond, Brett flung open the door of the bathroom and staggered out. Her gait was uneven, and she struggled to stay upright until she reached the now spotless table and leaned heavily against it. The look on her face was one of rage, shame, and frustration. Added to the alcohol she had consumed, she had a headache that would fell a tree, and she just wanted to crawl into bed.
    “Brett, sit down, and Helen will bring you some