The two spent the next week not talking about that night and the things they did in that hotel room but they did a lot of not talking. They must have talked about everything else possible. When Saturday afternoon came they were both excited. Alex wore her best black jeans with a navy blue sweater and Piper wore a white sweater dress with red heels and matching red lips. Piper teared up as Alex strode across the front of the room and the director of the rehab placed a bronze coin in her palm and the head counselor handed her a certificate of completion.
"I'm so proud of you baby. You had a rough start but you made it. And are your things are ready for sober living tomorrow?"
"I want to go into town and go to Target. I have that afternoon pass and I know we were thinking about getting a room and doing that thing again but I don't want to use their stuff. I want my own sheets, towels and toiletries. I spent a decade of my life living out of hotel rooms, then I used your stuff and then I came here. I'm trying to start my own life. I want to do something that's going to help people. I want to figure out who I am and this past month has helped me so much. I need to change everything."
"What about this?"
"I need to change how I do this but I want you. Being with me, bearing with my changes isn't over and it isn't going to get easier, probably not ever. You are worth more than me. So much more."
"But I'm here and I'm not going anywhere baby. I'm here for all of this. I would have stopped coming weeks ago, when it seemed you'd wash out, if I wasn't. I woulda walked away then and I so wanted to but I didn't and here we are and you made it and you're finishing rehab on step eight. You wanted nothing to do with the steps or any of the staff's suggestions, you just wanted to fight with everyone."
"And I see now all that fighting with everyone else was really me fighting with myself. I used to hear that concept in meetings and I thought it was the dumbest idea but now it makes more sense than anything I've ever heard in my life. I was angry at my dad, at Kubra but I was most angry at myself getting taken by them and their drug. I didn't want to become a loser junkie like him but I did."
"Yeah but he would never do this. He's gonna die an addict, here you are a recovering addict with a second chance at life and I'm so proud of you. But it makes sense that you were fighting yourself. I never thought of it that way but you were."
"Yeah. I really ended up learning a lot from these people and now I'm going to go college after sober living and IOP. Just a couple classes at Kings Community, English and whatever math I test into, maybe a career exploration class or intro to health sciences."
"Health sciences?"
"Yeah I'm super smart and good at memorizing figures."
"I don't know, I think you'd be a good accountant, you're good with numbers."
"I know and I can do this. I know I'm not the most caring person but I do have a heart."
"Believe me I know. If anyone does I know."
"Or I might get into video editing cause I used to love sneaking into film classes at Smith. It would be fun to work on movies."
"I could see you doing that and being really good at it. Shall we go?"
"Yes."
The two spent five hours shopping for linens and towels and winter clothes since Alex hadn't been able to take much with her when she left the ring. After a long, lingering lunch Piper delivered Alex back to the rehab for the last time. Even though she'd be seeing her in the morning to move her and Nicky into the sober living there were still tears like when she was leaving her for a week without knowing when they'd so much as be able to talk again.
Luckily, the night went by fast and before she knew it ten o'clock arrived and she was at the rehab.
"You here for Alex?"
"And Nicky."
"Okay."
"Do you know which house they are going to yet?"
"Yes. They will be able to stay together as requested, with reservations. They are going to Krista's House. The house manager is great. She's on the strict side and runs a no nonsense house but she's also warm and loving. Her house is probably our best. Your girlfriend and her friend are really lucky."
"I just hope it keeps them sober and helps them come home to me and Lorna."
"If anyone can help them stay sober it's Krista."
"Good. Now I'm sure Alex and Nicky don't want to spend a moment longer here then necessary so let's sign them out to me."
"Of course."
Half an hour later Piper was loading the girls and their stuff into her small Mercedes.
"I never want to go to rehab again," Nicky exclaimed.
"Me neither."
"Me three. Visiting and seeing your lover use and get sick from the drugs and alcohol and all the seeking behavior that overtakes everything else is the worst. Alex wasn't above stealing from me for drug money. That's not the Alex I love, she's an honest woman. As ethical as a drug dealer could be."
"I don't want to be that Alex anymore. I don't want to be sick like that. I'm so glad now that I know how to be sober I get to learn how to live."
"Yeah but I'm not looking forward to having to get a job. I grew up knowing I'd never have to work. I was a rich kid and believed I'd never have to work for anything and no one ever told me any different so when I had needs I stole expensive, valuable things."
"But you don't have to do that anymore. Neither one of you needs to steal. You hated being stolen from so you don't need to do it to others."
"Yeah. I just hope the girls don't behave like the girls in rehab."
"There will probably be some drama, I mean it's a house full of girls but Krista seems pretty strict."
"Yeah Red said she met her once and she's pretty cool. This is gonna be good even though I wish I were going home to Lorna or that she could be here but she couldn't get a ride up here."
"Just remind yourself your doing this so you can be with Lorna in the long run."
"I know, it's just I'm not patient and she's worse than me. What if she can't wait? I know three months isn't really a long time in the long run but right now it feels like forever."
"Then she isn't the woman I've become friends with over the past couple weeks."
"Yeah Nicky, don't worry. Lorna may not be patient and she may be sorta crazy but she really loves you and would follow you to the ends of the earth. If Piper can wait she definitely can."
"Hey Ladies we're here. Nicky you need help?"
"I've got it. I just have a suitcase and my knapsack."
Alex did need help with her stuff and then the two spent an hour sitting on the front porch swing snuggling until the house mom told her it was time for Piper to go so the girls could have their weekly meeting and dinner.
"I love you so much. You are gonna do so great."
"I love how much you believe in me."
"I believe in the Alex I see and the more you become her the more I believe in you and the further I fall."
"Why must you always make me cry right before we say goodbye?"
"Cause I love you."
"I love you. Friday?"
"Yeah. I've got a meeting at two but then I can drive up and spend the weekend together."
"As long as I get a job otherwise I'm stuck at the house outside of meetings and seeing my sponsor which luckily I got one of in rehab. I love you. Bye, babe."
"Bye, sweetheart."
