Chapter 1: Boredom
A week after the plane crash, TJ Hammond was still confined to his house. The first few days, well hours, were the hardest. His whole body shook from the withdrawals, craving cocaine and now it was almost unbearable. He tried anything around the house to take his mind off it. Music, books, T.V. but nothing helped really. Cigarettes dulled it but didn't take it completely away. If he could be grateful for one thing it would be the fact he wasn't alone. Although he knew she snuck a drink or two at Dougie's wedding, TJ knew his Nana had quit booze cold turkey. At this point he didn't know who was worse off.
"How's it going today, Nana?" he asked, walking into kitchen and seeing her drinking water.
"I'm starting to think this will kill me faster than the booze will," she answered, "How about you?"
"I'm fine" TJ said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
"One more time and I might believe it," she said, taking another drink. "I'm guessin' you've already got cabin fever the way you're pacing."
"I'm just so…bored. Doing nothing is not making this easier."
"Who said it was supposed to be easy? Huh? Who TJ? This is the real world. Nothing ever is."
"Seems unfair that we're both miserable" TJ sighed as he collapsed into the stool next to her.
"Ain't life grand?" she grinned, taking another drink.
"This is what I need to fight for?"
"Not this in particular but life, yes."
Sighing again, TJ glanced at the piano. He really ought to play again.
"Well sonny I'm going to watch some TV, if you want to join me you can: his Nana said, standing. TJ shook his head as she walked out the door. He slowly stood and sat on the bench. He put his hands on the keys and stopped. His mind flashed back to him playing for Sean back in December. They were so happy then. Why couldn't you have just left your wife Sean? He pulled his hands back from the keys. Finally he stood and went back to his room. He stared at the ceiling as he lay on the bed, glancing at his phone.
After a couple minutes, TJ looked at the phone again then finally picked it up. Dialing the number, he sat and waited, listening to the annoying tone and tapping his fingers on his nightstand. Finally after a couple rings the other line picked up. "Hello?"
"Gunner, it's me, TJ."
"TJ. Hi."
"Look man, I'm sorry about that night. I wanted to call and see if you're okay."
"Yeah yeah I'm fine. Honestly though it really fucked me up."
He swallowed, "I'm sorry."
"To be honest, I never thought I could ever fall that far. Luckily I met with a good friend of mine not long after. She helped set me straight."
"Good for you man" TJ said then added, "Well like I said I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I better get goin'"
"Wait, TJ."
"What's up?"
"My friend, Karli, she uh, she used to be part of the group but she's been clean for years now. She actually is really good at helping people; you know those of us who can't quite shake our addictions. Everyone she's talked with has been completely turned around and sober since. She could help you."
"I don't know man I'm already on lockdown at my mom's house. I don't think I need anything else at the moment."
"Just give her a try unless… are you going back to rehab?"
"Nah man, that hasn't ever worked for me."
"Then you got nothin' to lose."
"I don't know," he said, "I mean I don't even know this girl."
"You will. C'mon dude."
TJ was quiet for a moment. What do I have to lose except my sanity at this point?
Sighing he said, "How can I contact her?"
"I'll do that for you. You won't regret it, man, I promise you that."
TJ sighed and leaned back against the wall. We'll see about that.