Page 87 of Haze of Obedience

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I spin. A towel is wrapped around her hair, and she has another one around her body. "I'm just getting rid of these. You showered fast."

"I didn't want to leave you without any hot water."

"I was only joking."

Her eyes turn to slits. She points. "What is all this about?"

I grab a pack of chocolates. "There are a few good things here. It's military packs for dinner, but we've got dessert."

Her voice shakes but gets more robust. "But what is this?" She points again to the stockpile of alcohol.

My gut drops, and it's clear I've made a bad mistake.

"I thought you would want me to get rid of these."

"Why? I have a cocaine problem, not an alcohol one."

"You wouldn't take any medication. Two nights ago, you had a craving. I was only trying to help."

Silence.

"Did you hide or discard the medication in your first aid kit?"

"No."

"But you thought it was necessary to discard the alcohol out of the mini-fridge?"

The twisting in my gut spins faster. "I assumed you wouldn't want the temptation. But I get the feeling you're upset with me?"

"I think you should go take a shower now."

"Zoe—"

"Don't worry. There's..." she counts the bottles, "... twenty-four bottles. You can count them when you finish."

"I didn't—"

"You did."

"Zoe—"

She grabs the trash can, slides her arm across the counter, and the bottles crash into the metal bin. She holds it out. "Here you go."

"Zoe—"

"Take it."

I don't.

She stomps into the bathroom and slams it on the counter then comes back out.

"I'm—"

"Dirk, go shower."

"But I—"

"No. I don't want to talk right now. Go shower. Give me some space."

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