Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter 24
Kenny's POV
After a two week stay in the hospital, I was transferred to rehab. I'm still not 100% so I'm still seeing a physical therapist and I'm doing dialysis. I go back and forth between being on crutches and being a wheelchair. I use the wheelchair more because it's extremely painful to walk even with physical therapy.
Right now, I'm currently sitting with Dr. Wilson, she's the counselor that's working with me while I'm in rehab. This time around, I agreed to do family therapy with Karen and Drew. Karen is here, we're waiting for Stan to bring Drew. "I don't want to go!" We hear coming from the hall. I guess Drew is here.
"He hates me..." I tell Dr. Wilson.
"Wait until he comes in here and we'll listen to what he has to say." She informs me and I nod.
"I'll see if I can get him." Karen steps out the room.
"See what I mean?" I ask Dr. Wilson.
"What?"
"Everyone else can get through my son." I look down. "Everyone, but me…"
"We'll work it out." She smiles. Just then, Karen comes back in the room with Stan who has Drew slung over his shoulder.
"He agreed to come in if I stay." Stan informs us.
"Is that okay with you Kenny?" Dr. Wilson looks at me.
"That's fine." I tell her. Stan puts Drew down and sits down and Drew immediately sits in his lap. I can't help but feel a little jealous at how close Drew is with Stan.
"Hi Drew. I'm Dr. Wilson." She introduces himself.
"Hi." Drew responds shyly.
"How are you?"
"Okay."
"Is this the first time you've seen your Dad in awhile?"
He nods slowly. "Yes."
"Do you have anything to say to him?"
He looks at me and frown. "No!"
"Why not?"
"Because I'm mad at him!"
"That's all the more reason you should talk to him."
He shakes his head. "I don't want to."
"Why are you mad at him?"
"He lies to me!"
"How so?"
"He said he would stop doing drugs, but he didn't stop."
"He made a mistake. Parents make mistakes sometimes, they're only human. Do you think you could give him another chance?"
"I don't know."
Dr. Wilson looks at me. "Kenny, is there anything you would like to say to Drew?"
I nod. "Yes." I look at Drew and try to reach for his hand, but he clings to Stan so I can't." Drew, I'm really sorry I broke my promise. I was in a really bad place and I didn't know what else to do. I'm trying to get all the help I can do that I don't revert back to my old ways. I'm sorry you got hurt in the process. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
"I don't know!" Drew snaps.
"Come on Drew! That was from the heart!"
"Kenny, you can't expect him to immediately forgive you for years of hurtful behavior." Karen steps in.
"I know that."
"Give him time to come around. In the meantime maybe we should discuss your enabler." Stan adds.
I smack my forehead. "Not again..." I didn't want to turn this into a Megan bashing session.
"You were getting back on the right track until you started hanging out with her! I'm surprised you didn't switch your drug of choice to meth."
"My relapse wasn't her fault."
"I get it, you're an adult and responsible for your own actions. However, if she weren't in the picture, you would still be clean!"
"She tried to stop me from using!"
"Yeah and then you got arrested for drug possession and who was there? Meth Head Megan! Which you still have to go to court for!"
"Kyle's Dad said the date was rescheduled. Like I said, none of this is Megan's fault!" He's really starting to upset me. I wanted to include Megan in this session, but at this point, I know I made the right decision by not including her.
"Stop trying to make that slut seem innocent!"
"Don't call her a slut!"
"You guys, watch your language in front of Drew!" Karen tells us.
Stan pats Drew on the head. "Sorry about that Little Dude." He turns to Karen. "Maybe we should have him wait outside."
"I agree, things are getting too heated for him." Dr. Wilson takes Drew's hand. "Come on Drew." She leads him in hallway and I take this opportunity to wheel myself towards the door. Stan stands in front of me before I get too far.
"Where are you going?" He asks.
"I'm not staying here and being attacked!"
"We're not attacking you!"
"That's the point of this therapy session." Dr. Wilson explains as she comes back in the room. "It's the time for your loved ones to tell you how they were affected by your drug use."
I shake my head. "That's not why they're doing! They're attacking the love of my life!"
"It's not an attack! Megan isn't right for you!" Stan shouts.
"How can you say that? You don't even know her!"
"Dude, you barely know her! Besides, not only is she the cause of your relapse, but she doesn't even-"
"Stan, don't!" Karen interrupts him. "Now isn't in the time."
"No, it has to be said!" Stan kneels down in front of me and lets out a sigh. "Kenny, the girl doesn't like you…"
I laugh. "You're just saying that because you don't like her!"
He shakes his head. "It's the truth Kenny. Kyle and I talked to her on two separate occasions. She said she only sees you as a friend. I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you this. She was too much of a pussy to tell you that herself!" I really want to believe his lying, but I look into his eyes. I know when Stan is lying and unfortunately, now isn't one of those times. Damn, I told Megan I love her. I feel kind of stupid now…
"Kenny, are you okay?" Karen asks out of concern.
I smile and nod. "I'm fine. I mean, at least she wants to be friends. She's a good friend to have around." I'm playing it off like it's cool, but really, I'm very disappointed. Why doesn't like me?
"It's okay to be disappointed."
"I'm not." I look at Karen and Stan and they both seem genuinely concerned. "So is that all you guys want to talk about? I'm getting sleepy." I pretend to yawn.
"No, we still have other things to discuss." Stan informs me.
"If it's about Megan, I don't want to hear it!"
"I agree with Kenny." Dr. Wilson steps in. "This session isn't to discuss his love life, it's about how his drug use affected his loved ones.
"Well that girl is part of the reason he was doing drugs again so that's why she had to be mentioned. That did affect his loved ones!" Stan enlightens her.
"How so?" I ask, I don't know why. He's just going to say the same shit about Megan.
"You overdosed on drugs!" Karen snaps and I'm in shock. "You were in the hospital for two weeks and now you're here! Stan, Wendy, and I have been taking turns caring for Drew. It's more so Stan and Wendy and remember they have to come from their school to take him back and forth. That's a lot considering they have classes to attend as well! This isn't the first time we've had to step up in your place because you chose drugs over everything."
"I'm aware of that."
"Did you ever tell them thank you?"
"Yes I have!" I look at Stan. He doesn't seem to agree with me. "Haven't I?"
He shakes his head. "No dude, you haven't. But I understand."
"Don't forget about Kyle who comes from Princeton to help out. He's paid medical bills, paid for rehab, and got you a lawyer! I hope you're appreciative of your friends."
"I am…" I look down.
"Kenny, is that all you have to say?" Dr. Wilson asks.
"I don't know what else I can say! Everyone has moved their life around for me and I can't even do anything to show them how grateful I am." I start to cry and Dr. Wilson hands me a box of tissues. "I'm sorry I've inconvenienced everyone, I didn't realize how my addiction hurt everyone. I wish I could pay you guys back for everything!" I didn't mean to break down like this, it's just Karen's words really hit me. I was aware of what happened, but hearing the sacrifices that everyone made really hit me.
"There is a way." Stan smiles.
"How?"
"Get your life together. You're already at the first step by being in rehab. When you get out, go get your GED and get a job. It's time to make a better life for you and Little Dude. Both of you deserve it."
"I don't even know how to go about doing either one." I'm embarrassed to admit. I've never filled out an application for anything. Someone has always walked me through the process. That someone usually being Kevin…
"We'll help you Kenny. All of us want to see you succeed." Karen smiles.
"Really? You guys think I have a chance to succeed?"
"Of course dude!" It's nice to know that Stan and Karen believe in me. I wish I had the same confidence.
"Wow…I was always told I was only good at using my body."
"That's Kevin talking!" Karen looks at Dr. Wilson. "That's our older brother." Dr. Wilson nods and makes a note of it. "He's been keeping you down for years, it's time for you to take control!"
"I'm trying."
"Dude, you don't have to do this alone. We're all here to help you."
"Thank you, I really appreciate it. Because to be honest, I know I can't do this alone." I start to cry again. Karen hugs me.
"It's going to be okay. Like Stan said, we're here for you."
Stan pats me on the back. "I'll bring Little Dude back in here." He steps out and a moment later, returns with Drew.
"Can I have a hug?" I ask Drew. He looks at me. "Please?" I beg.
Drew looks at Stan who nods. "It's okay Little Dude." He gives him a little nudge in my direction. When he gets closer he extends his arm for a hug. I give him a big hug and begin to tear up.
"Thanks buddy. I promise, things will get better." I whisper to him. This session was an eye opener and a life changer. I swear I'm going to do everything I can to get my life on the right path. I'm not going to let them down again.
