A couple nights later, Elodie came home from work and found Finlee in her room, reading their father's diary. Finlee didn't notice or hear her sister come in, because she was wrapped up in her father's diary entry.

Joe kicked me out of his bar today. He called Amelia to come pick me up, which she did. She made a point of saying that I wasn't myself. Which is true.

Amy was scared for me. The same way I was always scared for her when she was using.

She told me I need help, and she's not wrong. I do need help, but it's too late. There's nothing l can do. I want my kids. I want my wife. I want my family and my life back, but it's too late.

My kids are the light of my life. Addison too. I'm sorry I forgot that. Now that I've lost them, there is nothing but darkness in my life.

"Finlee!" Elodie called out

The younger sister jumped, slamming the diary closed as she looked up.

"Oh…Ellie." Finlee muttered

"What are you doing in my room?" Elodie questioned, "And with dad's diary?"

Finlee blinked, "Don't tell Moms."

Elodie let out a breath, "I hide that in a new location everyday. How did you find it?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snoop."

Elodie nodded, "Okay. Well, just don't read anymore. You're too young to handle it."

"Yeah. Probably. Daddy was drinking before he killed himself. Auntie Amy tried to help him."

"I know. I remember from back then. I just never knew his state of mind. If I did, I would have treated him better." Elodie replied, her voice full of regret.

Finlee blinked her eyes, "It's not your fault, Sissy. Daddy loved us. He was just sick in the mind like you if you don't take your medicine."

Elodie nodded, "I know."

While what Finlee said was true, it was also true that Derek blamed himself for Elodie's bipolar disorder. He felt like he was a failure because he couldn't cure her, and Elodie knows that she didn't help matters much. She only made him feel worse by pushing him away. If she could go back, she would have done things differently.

Finlee didn't say anything. She just hugged her big sister.

Finlee left the room shortly after, but Elodie stayed in her room until dinner time.

But shortly after dinner, once everyone except for Elodie and Addison had headed up to bed. However, the seventeen year old decided to talk with her mom.

Addison was sitting on the couch, reviewing a patient's file, trying to figure out the best treatment plan, when Elodie approached her.

"Mom?" Elodie called, "I have something to tell you. Something I need to talk to you about."

Addison glanced up, "Okay. What is it?"

"When I was in the attic about a week ago, I found something." Elodie started, "Something of dad's."

"Your father's diary."

Elodie let out a breath, giving a small nod, "Yeah. How'd you know?"

"I went looking for it."

"Oh." The teenager uttered, "I'm sorry I took it, Mom. I shouldn't have."

Addison nodded, "Apology accepted. Some pretty heavy material in there. Are you okay?"

"I think so, and at least I understand him better."

Elodie sat down beside her mom, pulling out the diary from where she had hidden it behind the couch cushion when she had come down for dinner.

"Can we read one together?"

"Of course, baby girl."

Elodie opened the journal, and the next entry read:

Amy was right. I do have a problem, but it's not the drinking. I'm just using it to cope with my failure. My failure as a father and a husband. I can stop drinking anytime I want.

Amy didn't believe me. She wasn't listening to me, and I wasn't listening to her. Even when she reminded me of the promise I made to our father, but she doesn't need me to protect her anymore.

Amy ended up calling Richard to come over and talk to me. Like I need an intervention.

Richard was even more pitiful than my sister. Trying to relate to me like I'm an alcoholic or something. I'm not.

He said everyone was worried about me, even Addison. I knew that was a lie, and I told him as much. Addison hates me. Elodie hates me, and soon Quinten and Finlee will follow suit. Eventually, Christopher will hate me as well. I might as well just end it before that happens.

What would you like to see happen next?