"How long do you think he's been doing this shit" Jen asked Issac, as she began massaging her forehead.
"I don't know, he's been a champ about hiding it though. I mean jesus, I see him just about every damn day and I never would have guessed. It's not like I follow him into the bathroom or anything, that's not really a guy thing to do." said Issac, Brody's co-worker and close friend.
Jen clung to the 30 gauge needle she had found bundled up in toilet paper in Brody's bathroom waste basket. Jen had held on to it for a week. She wasn't exactly sure how to feel. There was anger at Brody for doing something like this, he'd been given a good life and was now drowning it out with drugs. There was heartache and guilt, she'd wanted more for her friend and blamed herself for never noticing his addiction. Brody had been her closest friend and confidant since childhood, just like their fathers had been. When Jen's mother died, it was her Dad, Brody, and Brody's family that had been there for her, and now she was determined to do the same for him. That's why she had invited Issac over and why they were currently sitting at her kitchen table under such miserable circumstance.
"When is he suppose to get her?" Issac questioned.
"It should be any minute now, I told him to meet us here for some cards and a drink."
There was a knock at the door. Jen and Issac gave each other a nervous glance as Jen stood up to answer the door.
"Whats up?! Who's ready to get their ass kicked in some hold'em!? It was a helluva day at work, thanks for taking the day off Issac, you turd." Brody jokingly said as he took a seat at the table with that trademark smile.
"Ha, yeah." Issac said halfheartedly.
"What's up dude? Didn't mean to get under your skin, just a little ribbing. Work actually wasn't bad, you missed Cathy's cupcakes, she brought some of th....."
"Brody when need to talk to you." Interrupted Jen.
"Oooook....What's up with you two? You're not pregnant, are you Jen?" he smiled.
"Jesus christ Brody!" Cried Jen as she stormed away.
"What the hell?! We've used that joke with each other like a thousand times Jen! What the fuck is the deal here Issac? Is she really pregnant?" Brody questioned.
"Brody just stop right now."
Brody's brow furrowed and his face froze.
"We know what you've been doing, we know about the drugs. Jen found the needle in your waste basket man." said Issac, sounding exasperated.
"Holy shit. Man, it's not drugs..." began Brody with a chuckle.
"YOU THINK THIS SHIT IS FUNNY?! YEAH BRODY, IT'S ONE FUCKING HUGE JOKE! Did you even know this insulin shit can kill you?! One dose Brody, that's all it fucking takes." Issac said with tears welling in his eyes.
"Well yeah, it's a well known fact you can overdose on insulin. But Issac, man, do you even know what insu...."
"I need to say some things before you continue." Jen said as she walked back in the kitchen, cutting off Brody.
"No, I need to say some things before...." Brody started.
"BRODY JUST SHUT UP! We've been friends since we were kids. I know your addiction has already become apart of you. I know you'll try to justify it by any means, but Brody, please listen to me. It keeps me up at night knowing you're out there dealing in this insulin shit. I don't know where or who you are getting this shit from and I...."
"WHO'S GIVING YOU THIS FUCKIN' INSULIN?! I'LL KILL THAT DRUG DEALING PIECE OF SHIT!" Issac shouted.
"Issac please, calm down." Jen said in between heavy sobs.
Issac sat back down, looking at his feet and trying to hide his tears.
"ALRIGHT, both of you need to calm the fuck dow..." Brody started out, again.
"NO BRODY! You need help. No one just starts out injecting, you've been at this awhile, I know you. Brody, you know this would kill your parents. It's killing me. We're fucking family and we're supposed to be there for each other. I need you to get help Brody." Jen said, still sobbing quite heavily.
"Alright. Now can I say something?" asked Brody.
"Ok." Jen and Issac said, almost in unison.
"You two, need to pull out those smart phones out that are in your pockets, and fucking google what insulin is."
"I don't care what kind of high you're catching Brody, I just want my friend back." Jen whined.
"Nonono. Listen. I didn't tell you because I didn't want either of you to know, because I have that right, ya know, but I have type 1 diabetes. It's just, I didn't want either of you worrying or thinking differently of me, but yeah, I have diabetes. Now in order to manage my diabetes, I have to take insulin. This involves directly administering it to my blood stream, via hypodermic needle. Ok?"
The three of them sat at the table in slience. Jen catching breathes between sobs, Issac still bent over staring at his feet, and Brody, sitting the with an interesting mix of befuddlement and dissapointment painted on his face.
"I can't do this. I need you to get help or we can't be in each others lives." Issac said as he got up and made his way to the door.
"ISSAC! I'm serious here, if I don't take this fucking insulin, I fucking die!"
"Yeah, well, at least I know where you fucking stand, bud." said Issac, as he slammed the door behind him.
"Is that how bad it's gotten? You think you'll die without it? Brody, please just...." Jen started to say.
"JEN! THIS IS FUCKING INSANITY! I get prescribed this medication by a fucking doctor. Have you never heard of diabetes and insulin?! For christs sake, your body naturally produces it."
"Christ Brody, just get out. Go visit the fucking 'doctor' and get your fix. I can't handle this right now. I love you, but I just can't handle this right now."
"Jen..."
"Brody please."
Brody sat there for a few seconds, observing his dear friend. How had she made it this far in life without ever having heard about this medical condition? It wasn't exactly an uncommon diagnoses in today's world. However, he saw the pain in his friends face and the tears in her eyes and knew she would just need a little space to calm down.
"Love you to Jen. But really, just talk to a doctor he'll..."
"Brody....please...."
".....ok."
Brody stood up and made his way to the door. As he opened the door, he looked back at his friend. She sat solemnly looking at the kitchen window, deep in thought. Brody closed the door and stood on Jen's stoop, as he took his snuff bullet out of his pocket and inhaled a bit of the white lady he enjoyed so much.
"Whoa. Whatafuckinday." Brody said, as he meandered his way through the city streets back home.