“Just checking on you. I figured you fell asleep with your light on. I was gonna turn it off,” I say, gesturing at the lamp in the corner. “You can turn it off if you want,” he replies. I step into the room, leaving the comfort of the dark hallway. “Why are you still awake?” “Can’t sleep,” he replies. “Aren’t the pain meds supposed to help with that?” He shrugs. “I’m not taking them.” I drop my hand away from the lamp. “Why aren’t you taking your meds? You’ve gotta be in pain, right?” “I don’t like the way they make me feel. The pain’s not so bad compared to the stomach cramps from the meds.”
