The alarm went off as Kerry reached up and sleepily swatted at it, until she hit the snooze button before pulling the blanket over her head and drifting back to sleep. Not long after as footsteps were heard climbing up the stairs as their mom slowly turned the knob.

'Kerry, sweetie it's time to get up' her mom gently coaxed as she lightly shook her. She yawned and just pulled the covers back over her head. 'Kerry, I mean it' her mother said.

Cate left the room as Kerry rubbed the sleep from her eyes and noticed that Bridgett was already awake. 'Did you sleep any last night' her sister asked.

She just shook her head and replied 'No, not really'. Kerry quickly changed and said 'Are you going to school today'.

Bridgett shrugged and said 'I don't know. Mom said I didn't have to and suggested I take a few days off'.

Kerry asked about the Student Council meeting, which her sister was President of, reminding her of a Council Meeting that afternoon.

'Oh crap, I forgot all about that', Bridgett exclaimed

At that moment, their mom came in and said 'Don't worry about that, right now. Let's just focus on one thing at a time, ok'?

She instructed Kerry to go downstairs for breakfast and her grandfather would drive her to school. She left and went downstairs as her mom turned to her and said 'Are you hungry, Bridge'? She shook her head and said 'No, not right now' as her mom nodded and said 'Ok, but please promise me you will eat something'.

Cate said she had to go to work and will be back later and said she wanted Bridgett to talk with somebody , and at that moment CJ entered. 'I'll take care of it, Aunt Cate' he said as she left for work

He sat down on an empty chair next to her and after a few moments of silence he said 'You know I may not be the most responsible person in the world, and you can say I've lived a somewhat questionable life'. He paused and added 'But I am somebody you can talk to, about anything that may be going on'

She didn't respond and he cleared his throat and said 'So is there anything you want to talk about? You can ask me anything'

She looked at him and said 'I know this sounds weird but it seems like you are the only person here who really knows me'.

He smiled and said 'Your mom sister and grandpa love you, and you know that'. She replied 'Yeah I know they love me, but it seems that you're the only person who really understands me'

'We've both walked down the same road, and I am here to tell you that you don't have to walk it alone', CJ said. After a few moments he added 'You feel like going for a ride'? She thought about it and nodded. CJ smiled and said 'OK get dressed and meet me at the van'.

She quickly dressed and went to the driveway to find CJ patiently waiting at the van, and got inside.

'So where are we going', she asked as her cousin revved the engine, before putting the van in reverse and carefully backing out.

'I thought we'd go out for breakfast. How does pancakes sound' he replied.

'So can I ask you a question' she asked

'Fire away, that's what I'm here for' he stated

'You've done drugs, right'?

He thought and said 'Yeah. I mean it's not something I'm proud of, but to answer your question, I have done drugs'

'What kind of drugs'

'Mostly marijuana, and a little speed and some coke'

'Is that why your parents kicked you out', she asked, amazed he was being honest and candid with her.

'That was the biggest reason'

'What did you do' Bridgett asked

'I traveled around a lot, doing a lot of odd-jobs. Nothing big or fancy, just enough to where I could make enough money to eat and keep the van filled up'

'And you joined the Army, right'? she asked

'Yeah, and here is something nobody knows... not even your mom and I would appreciate if we could keep it this way, but I wasn't really 'all I could be'. I would get drunk and high on the base and eventually got booted out'

'You were court-martialed', she asked

'We prefer to call it dishonorably discharged' he joked as he carefully pulled into a diner

'I'm not asking too many questions or questions that may be too personal, am I' she asked as they were eating pancakes.

He shook his head and said 'Not at all and to be honest, it feels really good to get some of this out in the open'

'So are you clean now', she asked.

'Yeah I'm proud to say that I have been clean for about 2 years now'

'How did you manage to do that, all by yourself'

'I had some help, actually. This is not the kind of thing you can handle all by yourself'

'Will it be ok if I asked you who helped you'? She questioned

'Actually your dad deserves a lot of the credit', he answered.

'Really? I mean he never told me anything about this'

'I asked him not too. You see I was ashamed that I let myself get so far off track and he promised not to say anything'

'How did he help you'

'He got me to admit to myself that I had a problem and needed help. And I can do the same thing for you' he said with a smile

'I do have a problem CJ and I don't know how to fix it', she said with her voice cracking

'Admitting you need help is half the battle. You've just done the hard part'

After they finish eating they get back in the van and Bridgett asked 'Where are we going

'Field trip' he said with a sly smile as he pulled back onto the road.

Not a word was spoken during the entire trip and eventually pulled into a building

He motioned for her to follow him as they made their way down a long corridor hearing voice from one of the rooms.

CJ quietly opens the door as there is a group of about 8 people, all Bridgett's age, sitting in a circle

'My name is Christine and I'm an addict' one of the girls says

'Hello Christine' everybody says

Another person stands up and said 'My name is Mike and I'm an addict

'Hello Mike' everybody said.

CJ stepped forward and said 'My name is CJ and I'm an addict'

'Hello CJ' everybody said

'Welcome to the group. I'm Dr. Gordon' a tall gentleman in a blue tie said, as he got some chairs for CJ and Bridgett.

CJ sat down in a chair, but Bridgett who was apprehensive, did not

'You can sit down too, Bridgett', Dr Gordon stated motioning to the empty chair by CJ

'How often do you meet here', CJ asked

Bridgett slowly made her way over to the circle and sat down, trembling slightly

'Every Tuesday at 4pm and Friday at 630pm', Dr. Gordon responded

'How long do you meet' CJ continued

'Usually for about 2 hours, sometimes later if somebody needs to talk. We don't have a set time limit' he replied

Dr. Gordon turned to Bridgett and said 'So Bridgett, is there anything you would like to share with the group'?

She shook her head

'It will really help if you could talk with these people. I mean he's a professional' CJ encouraged

'It's OK CJ. She'll talk when she's ready' Dr Gordon said before turning to another girl and said 'So Mika how have you been doing this past week'?

'Better. I mean I still want to go off and get high with my friends, but for the most part it's getting better' she said

'And how is your relationship with your dad' he asked

'Still pretty strained. I mean I love him, I can't forgive him for cheating on my mom' Mika said

'But you know that getting high is not the way to cope with that, right' Dr. Gordon asked

'Yeah I know. But sometimes it's just too much to deal with' Mika said

'When was the last time you spoke with your dad' Dr Gordon asked

'A few days ago. I have to make sure my mom isn't around, or she'll get angry with me for speaking with him' she replied

'At least your and your dad speak. I haven't spoken to my father in 5 years' another boy said

It was nearing the end of the meeting and Dr. Gordon turned to Bridgett and said 'You've been quiet tonight. Is there something you would like to ask, or maybe share with us'

'Maybe next time' she meekly responded

'Ok, so will we see you here on Friday' he asked, handed her and CJ his business card

Bridgett doesn't respond but CJ says 'Yes we'll be here'

'In the meantime, if you need to talk I want you to call me. I don't care what time it is, ok' he told Bridgett who nodded

'Thanks for everything Dr. Gordon' CJ said as they shook hands and left

'I'm sorry', Bridgett said as they got in the van

'What for' CJ asked as he got in and started the van

'I know you really wanted me to talk, but I can't. At least not right now' she said

'Like Dr. Gordon said, you'll talk when your ready' CJ said as he pulled back into the street

They made their way home to find her mom and grandpa waiting for them in the living room.

'CJ if you don't mind, we'd like to talk with Bridgett' Cate said

CJ left and Cate told her to sit down.

'I was putting your clothes away in the drawer and I found this. Do you care to explain what this is'?

Cate displayed a small bag that held a white power

'Is that what I think it is', Jim asked

Bridgett couldn't look them in the eye and just looked at the floor and in a faint whisper said 'Yes'

'Where the hell did you get this cocaine from', her mother asked

When she didn't answer Cate asked 'Did you ask Kyle's brother to get it for you? Did you ask CJ to get it for you'?

'No of course not', Bridgett defended

'Then who. Who in the hell gave you this crap' her mom asked, almost yelling

'Calm down, baby' Jim comforted his daughter

'Bridgett you know you're in over your head, right' her mom asked

'Yes and that's why CJ and I went to a support group' she said

'Well that's a start, but it's not enough I'm afraid' her mom said

'Wha... what do you mean', Bridgett stammered

'We love you, you know that, right' her grandfather said as Bridgett nodded as tears rolled down her cheek

'In 72 hours, we will be sending you to rehab' her mother said matter-of-factly

'What? Who is going to run the Student Council' Bridgett asked

'Well I think that's the least of your problems, right now' Jim said

'I didn't mean to get this far. I really didn't' Bridgett said, sobbing loudly

Cate went over to her, and held her and whispered 'I know you didn't, honey. But you do need professional help'

'So what do we do in the meantime' Jim asked

Cate sighed and said 'Bridgett in the mean-time consider yourself under house arrest. You are not to go outside, unless either your grandpa or myself are with you. We are going to watch every move you make, from now on'

'Where is this rehab place at' Bridgett asked

'Arizona' her mother replied

'It comes very highly recommended' Jim said

'No please. No. NO NO! I promise to be better. Please don't send me away' Bridgett begged and pleaded

'Shhh. Listen to me. I know you want to be better, but this is something you cannot win on your own. You need to be around trained professionals' her mom said as she hugged and held her daughter

'What about CJ? He beat his addictions, and he can help me beat mine' Bridgett said

'CJ had a whole lot of help, OK. You need a whole lot of help and this is the best option to get that help' Cate said with tears running down her own face.

At that moment Kerry and Kyle entered the house and Cate grabbed her purse, gave each of them money, took them to the side and said 'I need to spend some time with Bridgett. Why don't you guys go to a movie or something'

'Why? What's going on Momma-H' Kyle asked

'We just need to talk to your sister' she answered

Kyle and Kerry left as Cate went back to the living room

'Are you angry with me' Bridgett asked

'No, not really angry. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed' her mom replied.

'Can I have just one more chance. Let me prove to you that I can beat this thing. If you want me to do random drug test, I will. If you want me to see a shrink, I will. But please don't take me away from my family' Bridgett begged.

'Isn't there any place more local' Jim asked

'This center in Arizona is one of the top rated rehab centers in the entire country. And Bridgett needs the best kind of help' Cate said

'But she needs her family, Cate. This has got to be scary enough as it is. Now imagine how much more scary doing this alone' he said

'Ok, I guess I can look around' Cate said

'OH thank you. Thank you, mom' Bridgett said as she threw her arms around her mom.

'I will give you one chance to show me you can beat this thing. But if you can't, you're going to Arizona'