#22 – Voicemails

You.

The following audio recording is classified documentation for case H 57 with the enclosure. Unauthorized access to this information will lead to immediate intervention progress further if proper clearance has been given.

Warning this documentation contains depictions and discussions of mental health.

Listener discretion is advised.

You have nine new voice messages. First message.

Jared, are you doing okay? You seemed kind of, well, really off the last time I saw you, and now all of a sudden, you haven't been at work for, like, weeks. I'd come by to check on you, but I know you don't really like surprise visitors. Even a text would be great, just so I know you're not dead or anything. And tell Grove I said hi, okay? I gotta go. I'm technically not on break yet. I'll text you later. Bye.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

Dr. Hell. This is Dr. Castillo. I heard you've taken yet another week off of work. Just a reminder, if you need an extended absence, please reach out to Dr. Ahal or Dr. Damon. It's rather difficult to get our lab work done if I can't expect you to show. Have a good day, Dr. Hell.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

Jared. Hey, buddy, it's me, Milo. I noticed you hadn't been at your desk in a while. I asked around, but no one knew what's going on. Did something happen? I know we haven't talked much since the reassignment. I'm sorry about that. Well, maybe we can catch up at some point. Coffee? Ice cream sundaes? I'll text you. Don't feel pressured to reply, though. I hope to talk to you. Yeah. Bye.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

Jared, it's me again. Just calling to check on you. I don't know if you saw my text, so I wanted to try giving you another call. I heard Todd talking about you being gone for a bit. Are you okay? I'm really getting worried about you. Just call when you can, okay? Or text, if that's easier. Bye.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

This is Dr. Damon. You missed your appointment once again, if you're going to miss an appointment, I must ask that you give us a cancellation notice at least 24 hours in advance. Another unexcused absence, and I'll be forced to get Dr. Carmen involved. If you're experiencing any medical concerns, we have the doctors here specifically to deal with that. Schedule an appointment and show up. They'll help. We'll speak soon, Dr. Hell.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

Hey there, Jared. Seems you're still on that sudden sabbatical of, huh? Take care of yourself first and foremost, of course, but just remember that you've got work piling up over here for.

You and well message marked for deletion. Next message.

Hey, Red, I know your favorite thing in the world is food, so I want to let you know my folks are hosting a little thing here soon. Grove is fully welcome, and there's going to be free food. I know that the kids can be a bit much, but they really do like you a lot. And I'm sure we could give them an incentive to not make you a jungle gym again. You don't have to come. I know parties aren't really your thing, but I just I miss you. You know, we haven't talked since the thing, and jared, can we hang out? I don't care where. I could bring over my laptop for some movies. I can even get ice cream. Or you could come by here, just the two of us. Or Darius can join if you want. We could hang out in the basement, maybe a whole blanket for a.

Ugh.

Just text me or call me. Love you. Bye.

Message saved. Next message.

Hello, Dr. Hell. This is Miss Zimmer, calling to check in after your most recent missed appointment. Dr. Damon and Dr. Castillo have confirmed that you have missed multiple meetings. I do hope I don't need to request a welfare check. We are here to help, Dr. Hell. Simply call back at your earliest convenience. You have my number.

Message marked for deletion. Next message.

Buttercup, it's me. I know you said you'd text if you're needing anything, but the silence is pretty dang concerning. I totally get needing to reschedule and rest and recharge, but are you okay? You need anything? I promise it won't be a bother. I'd rather know what's up than to be in the dark like this. You always tell me that I should speak up more when I need stuff, so I'm gonna ask you to do the same, Kay. We'll work on it together. Y'all ain't alone in uh, dad and Pops would love to have you by for dinner again. I'm sure Grove will love tearing through the fields again. Just say the word, and I'll be there. But please, just please talk to me. I love you, Jared. All of you. Don't forget that, okay?

Message saved. There are no more messages. To replay your message, press one.

God save voicemails. Okay. There. I did it. And I actually listened to them this time. I knew you could do it. How many were there? Only seven. Most of them were work. Who called? That wasn't work. Holly, Darius, and I mean, I don't know if Jamie and Milo count. They're co workers, but they weren't calling about work. Start by calling Holly or Darius back. As much as I want to help, I'm no professional. But Holly and Darius aren't professionals, either. Not in the mental health sense, at least. Holly is a community coordinator, and Darius wants to open a fine, fine, fine. I'm no professional, and I have no idea how to help. Watching you go from zoning out on the couch to manically cleaning the house again is enough for anyone to know you need help. Help I can't provide. That's fair. I get it. Gods. How do I even call? What do I say? When they answer. I'm sorry for missing your last four calls and not replying to your texts. I've been, as friends would say, fucked up. Who said you're fucked up? None of us said that. I said you need help. But who doesn't? No one, I guess. But no. No buts. No more excuses. If you don't pick one of them to call, I'll pick for you. I doubt you could even use my phone. Fine. Just give me a SEC. I need to figure out what I'm going to say. Okay. Holly's probably at the library right now, so I'll just.

Jared buttercup.

Hey, Darius. Yeah, it's me. Sorry. If you're busy, I can try Holly instead.

Are you okay?

I mean, physically? Yeah. I ate toast today. I opened a window for some fresh air, even drank a whole glass of water. I'm just really going through the wringer right now, and I could I could really use some company. If you're busy, that's totally fine. I can always call.

Give me 15 minutes to wrap up here and I'll be over.

Thanks, babe.

I'll be over in a jiff. Need me to bring anything?

Do you have any of that applesauce your dad's make? Especially the chunky kind with cinnamon?

Right, of course. And hey, Jared, thanks for calling me back.

It's real good hearing from uh, yeah, of course. I miss you. It's just it's been rough.

Whatever's going on, I'm here. Okay? I'll be there soon. Should I pack an overnight bag, too?

You're more than welcome to. Only if you want to.

Though I wouldn't have offered if I didn't.

Thank you. I'll see you soon.

See you soon.

This episode of Jar Rebuke was written by Casper Oliver. Assistant writers were Jenny O'Sullivan and Jason LaRock. Voices were provided by an order of appearance. Ashley Kraft, jenny O'Sullivan, Nessa R vin vox mish Ward conrad Mishick Pixel tomlin casper oliver and Jason LaRock. Our series is distributed by thesperians productions. If you would like to support this indie queerly production team, check us out on patreon or a website for our shop and other donation options.