I'll keep this short and sweet, my stories contain a lot of detail and dialog so you can get to know the characters on a personal level. This story will bring you out of your comfort zone as it is more realistic than your typical gay romance. This is a gay romance story, so if that is not what you like then turn away now. All persons, places and events are strictly coincidental. All persons in this story are over the age of 18.
Okay, now that's all taken care of. Sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy chapter 3 of Field of Blooms: Summer's End.......
Three weeks had passed since some of Austin's memory had returned. Still suffering from horrible nightmares and flashbacks, Austin was starting to fall into a deep depression. He didn't want to go out at night, since headlights seemed to be a major trigger, and forget watching any type of movies with loud special effects or someone being beaten. Most of the time he would stay sequestered in his room with the curtains drawn. Eric tried everything he could to get Austin to leave the confines his room but to no avail; Austin just refused to come out, even for meals. Eric was growing increasingly concerned and decided to contact Dr. Stratford.
"Hi, Dr. Stratford, thank you for taking my call."
"No problem Eric, that's why I gave you this number. Now tell me what your concerns are?"
"It's Austin; he's getting worse as time goes on. First, it started with him not wanting to go out at night. From what I can gather headlights seem to be a major trigger. It started off with just bright ones but now, it seems like any set him off. The nightmares aren't getting any better but they aren't getting worse either, so I guess that is at least one good thing."
"I had a cancellation this afternoon; do you think you can bring Austin in? I would like to see him."
"I can try. Getting him to come out of the room is like trying to stop the sun from coming up."
"Okay. The appointment is at two-thirty. I will let the receptionist know that you will be by with Austin."
"Thank you so much, doc."
Eric was able to coerce Austin to go with the promise that afterwards he would give him a full body massage. When they arrived the parking lot was full of cars, as they waited in the waiting room, Eric could see Austin was getting nervous and jumpy. He took his hand in his and kissed it gently telling him that he was right by his side and that he wasn't going to let anything or anyone hurt him. That seemed to calm Austin down enough so he at least stopped shaking. After a few minutes they were able to be seen.
"Hello, Austin. Tell me, how you've been doing since we last saw each other."
"Honestly? Horrible! The flashbacks have become so real that sometimes I can actually feel them beating me, like I am back in the woods reliving it all over again." Austin's eyes started to well.
"Austin, you never told me they'd gotten that bad." Eric turned to him, clearly concerned.
"I didn't want you to be any more stressed out than you already are." Austin started to cry.
"Austin, Eric is there to help you. If your symptoms are getting worse you must let someone know. PTSD can be very serious and if it goes untreated can lead to suicide."
"Can't you just give me a pill to make it all stop?!"
"There are medications available that can help lessen the affects of the flashbacks, but there is no miracle drug to make it all go away."
"Will it stop me from being so damn jumpy?"
"Yes, it will. I can write you a prescription for Zoloft."
"I'll take it."
"Wait, Austin shouldn't we talk this over? I mean some of these drugs have some pretty bad side effects." Eric offered.
"I don't care! If it means that I stop being such a pain in the ass for everyone then that's good enough for me."
"I will write the script but I want to see you back here in two weeks. I also want you to keep a journal, with dates and times, of any episodes you have.
Eric, I want you to also keep one of any changes in his mood or behavior. Then, when you come back, I will go over both of them in case I have to change the dosage or the medication. Not all meds works for everyone." Dr. Stratford started writing out the script. "Now make sure you both read the side effects that could occur and if you experience any major ones, call me immediately. Also, please remember that it takes time for the medication to get into your system so don't expect the results to be immediate."
They both thanked the doctor for his time as they walked out of his office. Eric honestly hated the idea of Austin having to take drugs but if it was going to help then he was just going to have to deal with it. Once they had the prescription filled and were back home, Eric sat down and read the list of side effects to Austin.
"I think we need a vacation." Eric suggested as he handed Austin his first dose.
"It's summer; it's been nothing but a vacation."
Eric rolled his eyes, "If this is what you call a vacation! I think we need to spend some time down at the shore, I know how much you love it there."
"I do love the beach, but where are we going to stay?"
"My family has a beach house there; it's only five blocks from the boardwalk."
"I'm sure your mom wouldn't like the idea of me being in that house."
Eric pulled out his phone and called his dad. He asked if it was okay if he and Austin spent some time at the beach house. His father told him he had no issue with it as long as they cleaned the place up after, especially if they had any parties. Eric told him that there wouldn't be anyone else there and that it was just going to be the two of them. After Eric was off the phone, he told Austin to go and get ready. While Austin was packing, Eric made a few phone calls and arranged for someone to come over and clean the pool while they were gone, he didn't want the Montgomery's to have to do it while he was away.
"Do you feel up to driving, or do you want me to?" Eric asked as he folded some clothes into his suitcase.
"I'm a little nervous but it feels like I need to at least try." Austin smiled.
It was a hot and humid day so they rode with the air conditioner on for most of the ride down. Once they got onto the Ninth Street Bridge, they turned it off and opened the windows. The sweet, salty sea air filled the car letting them know they had arrived at the shore. Eric had Austin drive by the front of the house, before parking out back, so he could see its beauty.
It was a grand four story house painted in light cream with red accent trim, neatly kept landscaping and a red brick walkway. When they entered Austin was met with seven flights of stairs.
"Your family doesn't own the entire house, do they?" He asked as he started for the steps.
Eric stopped him, "No, we own the third and fourth floors. There's an elevator over here."
They stepped inside and when the door opened, onto the third floor, Austin's jaw dropped at the magnificent beauty before him. Gorgeous, pristine hardwood floors led the way to the grand room, which held the master kitchen with state of the art appliances, next to a glass table large enough to seat eight adults, and the lounge area with overstuffed leather furniture.
