Eric didn’t get the kind of ‘good night’ he intended to have. He kept having nightmares and woke up much earlier than usual. After awake, he swallowed a handful of pills and almost choked on some pretty large ones.

He looked into the mirror, but didn’t find his face, only saw a skinny pale man with hollowed eyes.

He got washed, drunk a cup of icy cold water, picked the thickest jacket in his closet, and dressed up.

His phone rang the moment he stepped out of the house. With a secret anticipation, he pulled it out and was disappointed once again.

It’s from his doctor, asking him to be hospitalized.

He gave the same answer he’d given the doctor a day before, “No, thank you. I need to think about it.”

It’s still quite early in the morning. The sun was not out yet, and the sky was greyish white. But the snow already stopped.

Eric then walked for half an hour to find a breakfast cart once was loved dearly by both him and John.

The owner still remembered Eric. He grinned at him as greeting, “Where have you been? Haven’t seen you around for so long.”

Eric grinned back, “We moved to a new place. It’s a bit far from here.”

The owner’s helper, also his wife, handed Eric a cup of free lemonade, frowning slightly, “Is your job that tough? You look emaciated to me.”

Eric didn’t answer, just smile. His job was fine. The real thing, or people, tortured him was John.

They gave Eric’s favorite: potlikker, omelet, and roasted potatoes. Eric dipped potatoes in steaming potlikker, feeling like cry again.

The price of food here was never raised in more than a decade; the owner managed to keep the flavor unchanged.

However, the plate and bowl were much smaller than before.

Just like John. He was still the man Eric met years ago, only didn’t care about Eric much as before.

Eric was not hungry, but he still ate everything on his plate. During which, he kept looking down, trying to hide his watery eyes.

He remembered that when they were young and penniless, their money could only afford one potlikker and no omelet or roasted potatoes. They both pushed the plate to the other one, hoping their lover could get more delicious food. In the end, they shared the potlikker on one plate.

He always thought they were acting like a human version of Lady and the Tramp.

On that day, John cried like a child while eating. He promised that he would never forget this day and would love Eric forever.

Well, it turned out that he was the only one who believed John’s promise.

Later, Eric vomited everything he ate this morning in a public lavatory nearby.

He was so scared right now. By loneliness, by sorrow, and by the chilly feeling, he got while walking alone in the long corridor of the hospital.

In the end, Eric made an appointment with Dr. Idle and managed to get there on time.

He sat face to face with the doctor, looking at Dr. Idle’s orchids on the windowsill.

The doctor tried to convince him to be hospitalized and start his treatment as soon as possible.

Eric didn’t answer immediately. After a long, long pause, he finally swallowed his tears and grievance, chuckled, “I… I’m a bit spoiled. Single child, you know. I can’t endure that kind of pain alone.”

“I’m running out of painkillers. Can I get more, doctor?” Eric shrugged, “I’ll think about the treatment thing. I promise.”

“Oh and, doctor, my nose is not bleeding as frequently as before. But I’m still getting a fever. I think it never will cure.”

“I had a dream two days ago. I dreamt that I’m changed into an oven, and my organs are all burning in it.”

“At that moment, I really believed I would die there.”

Dr. Idle was writing a prescription for Eric and paused for this weird tale he just heard.

He’d treated so many patients with terminal illnesses. They were all scared, depressing, or both. But no one was lonely as Eric Cleese.

“I’m your doctor, Mr. Cleese. And I really want to be your friend and be your side while you are suffering. If you want, I can even hold your hands when you are afraid or in pain.”

“Everything will be fine, Mr. Cleese.” The doctor said gently. “There is always hope.”

Dr. Idle was the youngest M.D. in this hospital, but also the most famous and skillful one. Most of the time, he intended to act much more mature than his age. But to comfort Eric, he forced himself to use a vivacious and intimate tone, “It’s not terrible as you thought and will last only a few minutes. After that, you will feel so good and could even sign up for WWE.”

Eric was amused. He laughed a little but insisted on his answer, “I’ll think about it.”

The doctor handed him a potted orchid, “Cheer up. Develop a habit. Flower growing will be a good start.”

Eric raised his eyebrows in surprise, “I… thank you for your concern, doctor. But I really know nothing about flowers. And I know orchids are expensive and hard to tend.”

“Maybe a little, but definitely not hard as you think. I hope you can make up your mind sooner. The sooner you are treated, the sooner you will be cured, and the sooner you can tend my flower.” Dr. Idle waved his hand, giving Eric a coy and a little childish smiling.

Eric was not convinced. He didn’t even like flowers and would surely not fit the doctor’s expectation.

And, he was sure that he could not be comforted by a simple plant.

But, still, Dr. Idle meant well.

So, he accepted the flower and put the small pot carefully in his pocket.

There were not enough painkillers in the hospital’s pharmacy, and the pharmacist told him to come back in a week. Eric left without complaint.

After all, he still got some at home.

He was out for far too long. Pain and weakness started to chew him inside out.

He needed to back home as soon as possible.