Page 5 of Haze of Obedience
2
Zoe
Eight Months Later
"Ms. Diego,it's nice to see you again. I'm Julieta and will be assisting you this evening. Can I get you a drink?"
"Hmmm?" I hardly glance up. My sunglasses help to shield the light, which makes my head feel like it's splitting open.
"Can I get you a drink? Maybe water?"
The effort it takes to move my head is more than I bargained for, and it pounds harder. Two of her faces swarm in front of my eyes, and I close them quickly, but that only makes me dizzier.
"Another line," I manage to get out.
"Here, have some water. It should help." She tries to hand me a glass of water, but I throw it across the plane. It crashes into the wall and busts, and she jumps. "Another line," I repeat louder. Everything is spinning, but I no longer care what happens to me. The last week I've had double performances almost every night, and Jonas hasn't left me alone. I'm tired of servicing him and performing for everyone around me. I just want it all to end.
"You heard her. Get her what she wants," Jonas growls.
"I think she's about to get sick," she cries out.
"You aren't paid for your opinion. Get her what she wants, or I'll open the door to this plane and throw you out into the night sky. Do you understand?"
"Y...yes. Sorry, sir."
I wave my hand in the air for her to move along.
So tired.
When did I sleep last? Three or four days ago?
Julieta comes back with a silver tray that has a line of cocaine on it. She tries to get me to drink water again, but I ignore her.
I pick up the cylinder tube and take a hit.
"Oh, God! Let me help you!" She sets the tray on the table and grabs a cloth napkin, then sits next to me.
"What are you sitting for?" Jonas yells.
"Her nose is bleeding. I'm trying to help her."
"Jesus. Not again," Jonas grumbles.
Julieta tips my head back and applies the cloth and pressure to my nose.
"Are you okay?" she asks in a low voice.
I don't respond, but tears drip past my lenses.
Am I okay?
I don't remember when I was last okay.
She strokes my head, and it's the nicest thing anyone has done for me in years. It makes me sob harder.
"What are you doing to her?" Jonas growls, and both Julieta and I jump.
"She's injured. I'm just trying to help."
