Addiction Pt. 3 The Trust Test


Mick and Steve were sitting in the living room after Dwayne decided to rest. Mick was
on the couch and Steve took his place back on the floor. Both were completely silent.

"We need to try to get a hold of Dany." Mick said out of nowhere.

"We've already tried. She won't answer the phone." Steve replied.

"Dwayne really needs her here." Steve nodded. They remained silent for a few more
moments. Just then Dwayne appeared from the guest room. He looked terrible but a lot
better than he did. Mick looked up at him.

"Hey, man. How are you feeling?" Mick asked as calmly as he could. He didn't want to
sound like a nagging mother.

"Better. Can't wait till this is over, though."

"No offense, man, but it's your own fault." Steve piped in. Mick quickly glared over at
him. He always knew the wrong thing to say. Mick looked back at Dwayne. Steve was
looking at the television screen and didn't see the hateful stare Dwayne was giving him.

"Yeah, well, I guess I'm paying for it now." He replied quietly. He turned and went to
the kitchen. Mick busted Steve on the arm.

"Why the hell did you say that!?" He yelled, trying to keep his voice down so Dwayne
wouldn't hear.

"What!?" Steve honestly didn't know what he had said wrong.

"'It's your own fault'!!?? You know better than to say something like that!" Steve
bowed his head. Mick continued to glare at him. "Especially when he's in a state like
that!!" Steve continued to ignore him and refused to meet his eyes.

"Sometimes the truth hurts, Mick." He said softly. Dwayne came back from the kitchen
with a glass of orange juice. He stepped over Steve and sat down next to Mick.

"How long have I been out?" Dwayne asked to no one in particular, taking a sip from the glass.

"A few hours." Mick quickly answered before Steve had a chance to. Dwayne slowly
nodded and took another sip.

"Thirsty?" Steve asked seeing the glass of orange juice. Dwayne knew where this was
going.

"Yeah. Don't even say it. I know." Dwayne said coldly.

"What are you talking about?" Steve turned defensive. Mick started watching the two
carefully.

"The fucking withdrawals, man!" Dwayne stood up. "I know you were going to say it.
You've been all over my case lately. I'm sorry, okay! How many times do you want me to
say it? I'm sorry!" Steve stood up also and got right up in Dwayne's face.

"As many as it takes to make up for two days!!" The outburst caused Mick to stand up.

"Okay, that enough!!! Both of you! Steve, back off!! Dwayne calm down!" Mick
yelled, getting in between the two men. He turned to Dwayne. "We know you've been
working hard, Dwayne. And I know we've been getting on your nerves lately and I think
it's time for a test." Steve and Dwayne looked at him confused.

"Test?" Dwayne asked. Mick nodded.

"The rest of the day to yourself. Just you. Come back tonight clean and we'll see what
happens. Your at the point now that we trust you to be by yourself. But if we have to go
to some hospital because you O.D. then it's straight to rehab. Whatdya say?" This time
Steve glared at him, confused.

"Mick, no. We can't let him do that. It'll be back to day one." Steve said, not caring if
Dwayne was right in front of him. Mick was getting irritated at Steve.

"Damnit, would you quite that crap!!?" Mick yelled. He turned back to Dwayne.

"Dwayne?" Dwayne looked at Mick then met Steve's glare.

"I'll see you two tonight." And he walked out the door.

*****************

Dwayne was finally alone. After three days of hell, he was finally able to think
peacefully. He appreciated their support and all but it was getting a little too much.
Dwayne decided to go somewhere where he knew he wouldn't get himself into any
trouble; The park. He sat at a table wondering what he was going to do with his 'free-
day'. He kind of liked just sitting there. It was so peaceful, so quiet. He'd been going
through withdrawals all day and the change of environment had helped a little. His body
still ached all over and he wanted to give in so badly but he remembered what Mick had
said and he really didn't want to be surrounded by other addicts. He had brought his
portable CD player and pulled out his headphones. He stopped what he was doing when
he heard someone call his name.

"Hey, Dwayne!!!" When he turned around and saw who it was, his heart nearly
stopped. It was Bic, the guy who sold him the drugs. He was running up to him. Dwayne
put his CD player away before he approached. "Hey, man. It's been a while. I can set you
up tonight if you need it."

"No, thanks." Any other time he would have went for it without even thinking about it.

"What?" Bic was clearly confused; He made a lot of money off of this guy.

"I said 'I'm done.'" Dwayne started to walk away. Bic ran and stood in front of him,
blocking his way.

"No, wait. Whoa. I thought we had something going here?"

"Not anymore." Dwayne said patiently. He didn't want it to show, but he really wanted
the drugs.
"Oh, I get it." Bic said, realizing what was happening. "So how long have you been
off?" Dwayne noticed he didn't say 'clean'. Dwayne knew he was probably high himself
right now.

"I've been 'clean' for a few days now." Dwayne found himself feeling pride in that fact.

"Oh, hell. You can make up a lousy few days. Come on, I know you want it." Bic said
hopefully.

"I'm through with you, Bic, and it's staying that way." He said confidently. His body
was screaming at him to accept the offer, but he wasn't going to ruin three days of hard
work for a few hours of pleasure. Not this time.

"Damnit, D! I got to sell this stuff!!" Dwayne grinned at how desperate he'd become so
quickly.

"I don't want a damn thing from you! Now, get out of my face!!" Dwayne stood up his
entire 6'5" profile and clearly intimidated Bic. Bic was shocked and took a few steps back.

"Fine! Fuck you, man!! You'll regret it!!" Bic stormed off. Dwayne was proud of
himself. He did it all on his own. He knew his friends would be proud of him, too. Well, at
least Mick. He knew he just made a big step in his recovery and right then and there, in the
middle of the park, he made his new goal-a month.

End of Pt. 3