TWENTY-THREE
Withdrawal symptoms from his pain meds wouldn't kill him, Jean told himself for what felt like the millionth time. He should never have taken them. Instead, he should have just put up with the pain until it went away on its own. He wouldn't be waking up on Christmas morning with the mother of all hangovers that he'd drunk nothing to deserve.
Speaking of mothers, he should call his. It was still Christmas Eve there – perfect timing.
Jean made himself look presentable, then dragged the desk chair into the best light beside the window before he turned on his tablet and tried to video call home.
His mother must have been sitting at the computer, she answered so quickly.
"Jean-Pierre? It's so good to see you. See? I told you he'd call," she said, dragging his dad into rang
