Chad Holloway

It was a few months since Chandler returned from Los Angeles and not quite a year since Monica was taken from them. Not a day goes by that he does not think about her, and learned to be thankful for each day, never knowing what tomorrow would bring. He was still struggling, but trying his best to enjoy life, and live each day to the fullest. The holidays however were hard, and especially Christmas which was their most favorite holiday... and this would be the first Christmas without her.

Chandler still sees Dr. Hart a few times out of the month, who was pleased with his progress and how he was dealing with everything. They spoke of his trip to California, his work, and his friends 'The first few years are always the hardest of all', Dr. Hart told him. As Chandler was at work, Phoebe and Rachel went over to his apartment, placing a Christmas Tree by the window, hanging Christmas lights on the balcony and windows, and other holiday-related decorations. As they were leaving, Rachel scribbled a note inviting Chandler to dinner with the rest of the gang, and taped it on the refrigerator.

A few hours have passed, as Chandler returned from work, pausing to look at the decorations and flipped on a switch turning on the Christmas Tree lights and the lights on the balcony. He went to the refrigerator, glancing over the note Rachel had left, and pulled out a cola soda and stepped onto the balcony, enjoying the cold night air. Without Monica, Chandler was in not in a festive spirit and was in no mood to celebrate Christmas, or any other holiday for that matter.

Chandler's thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. He closes the balcony door and goes to the living room and picks up the phone, 'Hello', Chandler answered, but there was no response on the other end of the line. 'Hello', Chandler repeated and waited for a few seconds and was about to hang up the phone when a voice on the other end of the line spoke and said 'Is this Chandler Bing'. Chandler replied that it was, and asked who was calling, and what they wanted. 'You don't know me, Mr. Bing. My name is Chad Holloway.. and this is so very hard for me, so I hope you will bear with me', the voice on the other end said, as Chandler sat down at the dining room table.

Chad paused and continued 'About a year ago I was at a Frat Party, and had... well, let's just say I had more than my share of beer. I knew better than to get behind the wheel of a car, but thought nothing would ever happen to me, drunk or not. I was 19 years old, and thought I was invincible'. Chandler braced himself as best as he could, as he had a feeling what Chad was trying to say. Chad paused, with his voice cracking said 'Mr. Bing, it was me. I'm the one who hit your wife's car, and I cannot tell you how very sorry I am'

'Is that the best you can say? That your sorry', Chandler snapped as Chad continued and said 'You have no idea what I have been going thru, knowing what I have done'. Chandler just totally lost it and screamed into the phone 'You? How DARE you try to make this about YOU. What about ME? What about my wife, that I nor my friends will ever see again, all because of YOU' Chad said he went to jail for 6 months, and the loss of his driver's license until his 25th birthday. 'I've paid my debt to society, but I don't know what I can do to pay my debt to you', Chad said. Chandler was still seething with anger, and tried to force himself to calm down and asked if Chad was married.

'No sir, but I have a girlfriend', was the response. Chandler said 'Do me a favor...cherish every second you have with her, because you never know when your last kiss, will be your last kiss. Trust me on that one'. Chad broke down crying, saying how sorry he was and Chandler replied 'I know you are, but sorry will not bring her back, or erase the pain you caused me'. Chad asked what he could do, and Chandler thought for a moment and said 'Are you hungry'? The question took Chad by surprise and admitted he was. 'I would like to meet with you'. Chad said he didn't think that was such a good idea and Chandler replied 'I think you owe me an hour of your time'. Chad agreed and gave Chandler directions to where he was at.

Chandler went to his car, and drove to the location and a few minutes later a skinny looking kid approaches cautiously, and Chandler turns off the car and slowly gets out of the car, and spend a few minutes just looking at each other. 'Are you going to get in, or what', Chandler asked and after some hesitation, Chad opens the passenger door, and gets in. As they were eating burgers and fries, Chandler said 'You know, you can make this up to me'.

'How', Chad asked and Chandler said he knew of somebody who could help him and after they finished eating, he drove to Dr. Hart's office. They were waiting in the lobby, when Dr Hart came and joked 'You're about 2 weeks early... who's your friend here' Chandler said he was somebody who could use some help, as Dr. Hart invited both of them to his office. After he finished talking with them, Chad turned to Chandler and said 'I don't blame you for being angry...maybe even hating me'.

'I don't hate you Chad. I hate what you've done, but I don't hate you. It's a long road to recovery, and it will require a great deal of work and soul-searching. But once you complete the journey, you'll be glad you did'. Chandler said he had been angry long enough, and thought it was time to leave the past, in the past. They both thank Dr. Hart, who said he wanted to see Chad 2 times each week, and enrolled him in a local AA chapter, and said he wanted to meet with people who have lost friends and family members to drunk drivers, as part of the healing process.

As they were leaving, Chandler was driving Chad back to his dorm room, when he caught a glimpse of Monica in the back seat and she said 'I am so incredibly proud of you, and I love you'. Chandler smiled as he looked back and said 'I love you too, Mon'. Chad looked back, at an empty seat and looked at Chandler and said 'Uh.. who are you talking to, Mr. Bing'. Chandler smiled and said 'Somebody I love very much'