THE HONOURABLE MAN

Episode 29

Bryce is perplexed when he wakes up in an unfamiliar place in the morning, there is a man seated next to him, he hopes he can explain things to him. He looks very clean and smart in his white shirt worn with a navy suit. He can tell that he is not just anybody but someone of high rank. He has a note board on his hands and he seems to be jotting down notes. He observes his dark curly hair and his large body frame and doubts if this is anyone he knows. “Where am I and who are you?” he impolitely questions.

The gentleman looks up and Bryce observes the warmth and kindness showing in his dark green eyes he decides to calm down and relax. “Oh Mr Adams it’s good to see you are finally up. My name is Dr Remy Harkins and you are in Alandro Rehabilitation Centre,” he introduces. “What! How the hell did I get here and why am I even here?” “Your brother brought you here last night and you are here to get clean,” the doctor politely answers. Bryce doesn’t have a brother hence he presumes its Pete whom the doctor is referring to as his brother.

**

The following weeks are unbearable for him, dealing with the withdrawal symptoms makes him wish for a quick death instead. Dr Harkins is an excellent pillar of strength and comfort, he gives his best to help his patients in anyway and he is always giving them hope and motivation. He is a kind, caring and a generous person. He takes time to have one on one sessions with his patients be it for counselling or whatever the patient needs.

It takes a few weeks for Bryce to get clean, Harkins calls him into his office to let him know he is being discharged along with seven other patients. Bryce is not as excited as he is expected to be, he has nothing much to look forward getting back to. He lost his job, he lost his son and he lost the only woman he has ever truly loved. His life is empty, meaningless and sorrowful. Remy assures him what he lost are things he can get back in due time, he needs to let go of the past and look forward a new road which just might turn out to be better than the past one.

The Rehab Centre hosts a celebration party every time there are patients being discharged this normally happens once a month and it’s usually on the last weekend of the month. The party is to be held at the big church hall on the left wing of the building. All the patients being discharged are showered with gifts including expensive new outfits to wear prior to the party.

Only members of the rehab centre are allowed to attend the party, this is done in consideration of the rehab patients comfort and privacy.

Bryce takes time to shave off his beard and trim his hair, he feels it’s a new beginning and he is ready to get his life back on track, he is indebted to Dr Harkins and his best friend Pete for getting him the help that he needed. He grins as he stares at himself in the mirror for he is impressed with his new clean look.

The party begins at twelve o’clock in the afternoon, the hall has been decorated with balloons, congratulations banners, flowers and beautiful centre pieces. There is vibrant music playing and the atmosphere is very livening. There are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, meals and snacks prepared for self-catering. Bryce munches on the strawberry cup-cakes as the host Dr Harkins heads to the stage to give a few words about the organisation, their mission statement, vision and so on.

“Last but not least I would like to thank my amazing fiancée for her constant support and contribution towards me and this fundamental organisation. Ladies and gentleman please let’s welcome future Mrs Harkins as she comes to the stage,” Harkins utters with pride and the crowd applauds.

Bryce pauses chewing the food in his mouth, he is very anxious to set his eyes on Harkin’s fiancée, he is confident and without a doubt that she is a wonderful soul since Harkins has always credited and praised her for so many things, including the success of the rehab centre. Ms Rose Dale who is among the patients being discharged paces to Bryce for a chit chat. She ends up taking his eyes away from the stage but what recaptures his attention is the voice he hears emitting from the stage.

Without a word he promptly turns away from Rose and gazes up at the stage, he rubs his eyes for he believes they are deceiving him. “How can it be?”

He suddenly feels weak in his knees, his temperature goes up and he starts to feel very hot. The cupcake in his hand drops to the floor, “Bryce! What’s the matter?” Rose asks concerned.

The voice from the stage continues, “For those who don’t know me my name is Kiana Ray but soon to be Mrs Remy Harkins,” she chortles, the crowd screams and applauds. She goes on to give her speech while Bryce listens with his jaw open and his eyes set on her in a fixed glassy stare. He is in a shocked state, he can’t move, talk or even blink.

He is dazzled by her beauty, she is looking more beautiful from the last time he saw her six years ago. She was a nineteen year old teenage girl who was crying and heartbroken over him but today she is a twenty five year old fully grown woman who seems happy, confident and successful.

Kiana is dressed in a stunning peach knee-high strapless bodycon dress, a white blazer and white stilettos. She is not wearing heavy jewellery just tiny studs on her ears and white pearls around her neck and a peach watch on her wrist. She is dressed like a mature and decent woman and not in skimpy clothing he remembers Janet wearing and even her make up looks light, decent and graceful.

As she continues to speak her words reflect her wisdom, intelligence and dedication. She brushes away strands of hair from her face using her left hand and that’s when he lays his eyes on the huge diamond ring on her finger. He is right away flooded by all the memories he created with her, the day he first saw her, the day he proposed and made love to her. He cannot bear it, it’s too much for him he begins to gasp as he struggles to breathe.

He feels as if he is having a heart attack and before he knows it he blacks out and his body heads for the floor.

Rose catches him on time before he hits the ground, she gently lays him down on the floor and calls for help.

The people nearby quickly respond and help carry him to the rehab clinic, not a lot of people noticed what happened. Dr Harkins is later informed by Rose that one of his discharged patient’s has fainted. “What, why?” “I don’t know! I was talking to him and he seemed okay but then the next minute he just started acting strange like someone who had seen a ghost. He began to sweat and pant next thing he fainted,” Rose explains.

“Was it Allen? He is the one I know who has certain health conditions,” questions Harkins. “No it wasn’t Allen it was the dark haired handsome guy. Hmm what’s his name again?...oh yeah Bryce that’s his name.” Kiana’s eyes pop out at the mention of the name Bryce, she hasn’t heard that name in a very long time and it is not a very common name but what are the chances that it’s the same Bryce that she knew?

The Bryce she knew would have no reason to be a patient at a rehab centre. “Who is Bryce?” she questions Harkins. “Bryce Adams, he is one of my favourite patients, he is a really good guy he just lost his way owing to depression.” “I’m sorry I’m not sure I heard you correctly, did you just say Bryce Adams?” “Yes, why, do you know him?” “Of course not I just wasn’t sure I heard you clearly.” She responds with her heart racing.