Chapter 10

Karen's POV

Kenny checked into rehab two weeks ago. It's been an adjustment as I've been Drew's provider in Kenny's absence. My parents are around, but they're busy getting drunk or high themselves that they don't even bother with Drew. Luckily Kyle, Stan, and have helped out on the weekends. It's hard for Drew not having Kenny around since he's use to him being here for the most part.

There's a knock on the door. I open it and it's Stan and Wendy bringing Drew back home. "You're back home!" I hug Drew. "Did you have fun with Uncle Stan and Aunt Wendy?"

"We had a blast! Didn't we, Little Dude?" Stan pats him on the head.

"Yes..." I notice Drew looking at the ground.

"We saw The Incredibles 2 and then went to the arcade to play some video games!"

"Sounds like fun!"

"He's a really good kid." Wendy smiles.

"Thanks again for taking him for the day."

Wendy nods. "Anytime. We were happy to help while Kenny's away."

"You can hang out with us anytime Little Dude!" Stan picks him up and hugs him.

"Thanks Uncle Stan." Drew hugs him back.

"We'll see you guys later." Wendy hugs Drew once Stan puts him down.

"Thanks again!" I tell them as they leave. As soon as I close the door, I hear Drew sniffling. I kneel down to his level. "What's wrong Drew?"

"I miss my daddy!" He cries.

"Aw, I know you do. But I'm sure he'll call you soon." Since Kenny's been away, Drew's only talked to him twice. It's not really Kenny's fault, he's limited on how much outside communication he can have.

"I want to see him! Why can't I?"

"Because...he's sick." I lie. "He has to get better first before he can come back home."

"Will I get sick?"

I hug him. "No honey, you won't!" I wish I could get him to understand, but Kenny made it clear that we're not allowed to tell him that he was on drugs.

"Then can I please see him?"

I shake my head. "I'm sorry, but you can't. Not until he's better."

He wraps his arms around me and cries on my shoulder. "I miss him so much!"

"I miss him too! Trust me, it's for the best." I console him.

Kenny's POV

This rehab facility sucks! It's day in and day out of therapy, plus I'm stuck sharing a room with five other guys. Some of them still manage to sneak drugs and alcohol in here so clearly they're not taking this seriously. As tempting as it is, I can proudly say I haven't used any drugs since I've been here. Trust me, it hasn't been easy. I've been going through a serious withdrawal which they give me medicine for.

They took my phone once I checked in so I wouldn't be tempted to reach out to the wrong people. I'm allowed to make phone calls, but I have to have permission first and my calls are monitored and limited. They're allowing me to make a call so of course I call Karen so I can talk to Drew. "Hey Karen." I say as she answers.

"Hi! How was your day?" She asks.

I groan. "Exhausting. Another day of therapy!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Honestly, I want to get high."

"That's not good Kenny…"

I nod in agreement "I know, but I have that feeling less and less every day if that means anything."

"It does! That means rehab is working."

"Yeah. The hardest part was detoxing."

"It was for your own good."

I nod again. "I know. How's my boy?"

"He's been crying since you left. He misses you like crazy."

"I miss him too. They asked if I wanted to bring him here for family therapy, but I turned it down."

"Why?"

"I told you before, he doesn't know I'm a drug addict and I want to keep it that way."

"It might be good for your recovery."

"But it won't be good for him."

"You should reconsider. He may not know you're on drugs, but your drug use has affected his life."

"I'm not changing my mind on this. Where is he? I want to talk to him."

"I'll go get him."

"Daddy!" I can hear the excitement in his voice when he comes to the phone.

"Hey buddy! How are you?"

"I'm sad! I miss you daddy!"

"Aw, I miss you too!"

"When are you coming home?"

"I'll be home before you know it."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, I promise." I look up and see the Case Manager gesturing that it's time for me to get off the phone. "I have to go, but I'll call you as soon as I can, okay?"

"Okay daddy…" I hear him sniffle. Poor little guy…

"Cheer up buddy. I'll see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too."

After getting off the phone, I decide to hang out in the living room. I don't want to go back into my room right now because the guys in my room can be pretty obnoxious and I just want to be alone. I miss my son. I grab his picture out of my pocket and stare at it. "Are you okay?" I hear a woman's voice ask me.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks." I tell her.

"Is this your first stint?"

"Yeah."

She sits down next to me. "So what are you in for?"

I look at her. She's really beautiful. She has long curly blonde hair and big green eyes. She reminds me of…never mind. "Heroin addiction, you?"

"Meth addiction. I'm Megan." She extends her hand. "This isn't my first time here."

I shake her hand. "Kenny!"

She looks at my picture. "Is that your little brother?"

I shake my head. "No, he's my son."

She looks at me in shock. "Your son? You look so young."

"He was born when I was 16."

"I see."

"Do you have kids?"

She nods. "I had a child two years ago, but I put it up for adoption. To this day I don't know if I had a son or daughter. I didn't want to."

"Did you put your kid up for adoption because of your drug use?"

She nods again. "I wasn't in any position to raise a child."

"Drew, that's my son, his mom left him with me right after I took a paternity test to confirm he was my son. He was only three weeks old. Haven't seen her since."

She pats me on the back. "I respect the fact that you raised your kid on your own, especially at such a young age. I was 24 and I knew I couldn't do it."

"It hasn't been easy and I haven't been the best father to him. I try my best, but I know I've made a lot of mistake when it comes to him. I've put drug use over my kid and that's not right. I put prostitution over my kid. I let my brother convince me I was doing it for him, but really it was for me to get a fix."

"Well you recognize you had a problem and now you're here to fix it."

"I have to. I just spoke with him and he's so upset that I'm not there. He hasn't been away from me for this long before. I miss him as much as he misses me."

Megan puts her arm around me and smiles. "Don't worry, you'll be reunited with your little boy soon enough. You'll come out a better man and a better father!"

"I hope you're right."

Just then, the Program Director walks over to us. "Okay you two, it's time for you guys to go back to your rooms. It's almost bedtime."

"Yes sir." We say in unison.

"It was nice meeting you Kenny."

"You too Megan."

"I'm sure I'll see you around." Megan leaves. I stand up, but I'm stop before I can go anywhere.

"Kenny, just a reminder that getting romantically involved with another patient is strictly forbidden and can result in both of you being expelled from the program."

I'm completely taken aback by this. "Dude, we just met! We were just talking."

"I'm just reminding you about the rules here. Now, off to your room, you have a long day tomorrow."

I nod. "Yes sir." I can't wait to get out of this hell hole.

Karen's POV

Kevin has been the one taking Drew to school and picking him up. He told me he couldn't do it today. I tried to get mom to at least drop him off since his school starts later than mine. She overslept so it was up to me. As soon as we walk in, his teacher walks over to us. "Drew, it's nice to see you. Hold onto your things, okay?"

"Okay…" Drew responds just as confused as I am.

"I'm Ms. Silver and I need to speak with you." She tells me and pulls me to the side.

"What's this all about?" I ask.

"I've been trying to reach Mr. McCormick for the last three weeks."

"He's…unavailable at the moment. Is there something I can help with?"

"Tuition is three weeks past due."

My eyes widen. "What? My brother Kevin didn't pay it when he dropped Drew off or picked him up?"

She shakes her head. "That didn't happen."

Now I'm really confused. "Wait, what? So who's been dropping off and picking Drew up?"

"Drew hasn't been here. So far his absences have been marked as unexcused. We haven't received a call or email letting us know what was going on."

"Oh my God, this can't be happening!" So where the hell was Kevin taking him?

"I'm afraid if you don't have a payment for us, Drew can't stay."

"Unfortunately, I don't have the money to pay. Let me see if I can reach my brother." I call Kevin and unfortunately he doesn't answer. "No answer."

"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take Drew home."

"I have to go to school. I'm already late! Where is he supposed to go?"

"I'm really sorry. We've given Mr. McCormick plenty of passes, but we can't do it anymore. Between the late pickups, late tuition, and the unexcused absences there's nothing else we can do."

"I understand. Thank Ms. Silver."

"Let Mr. McCormick know he can reenroll Drew next year."

"I'll tell him."

"Would you like to take his things now, or do you want them mailed?"

"Mailed. I don't want to embarrass him. Drew?"

"Yes?" He looks at me still confused.

"Come on honey, we have to go."

"But I just got here!"

"I know, but we have to go."

"Goodbye Drew. I really enjoyed having you in my class." Ms. Silver hugs him.

"Bye Ms. Silver…"

"Come on, sweetie." Poor kid, he has no clue what's going on. Poor Kenny, when he finds out, this might set him back. Damnit Kevin! I could hurt him for this!