The pregabalin did indeed make Darren drowsy. He went back to work, but had to use public transport instead of his own car. But that—for the first couple of weeks—was all there was to it. He occasionally rubbed at his temples or scalp like he had a headache, but never complained about it, and the insomnia was knocked on its arse and he slept like the dead for at least ten hours a night, but…
But Jayden waited for the mood swings, for the episodes, for the bleak emptiness around the eyes…and they didn’t come. Darren was tired, but normal-tired; he was quiet, but not so deeply withdrawn. By the third week, his appetite had returned with a vengeance, and Jayden felt less jittery about letting him go boxing without eating properly.
And slowly—very slowly—the solemnity began to lift.
It bega
