(2 months later)
Me: (picks up the phone) Hello?
Jackson: Is this Nathan?
Me: Yeah. Jackson? When did you get out of rehab?
Jackson: Almost a week ago.
Me: Where are you?
Jackson: I'm in a halfway house now. Melissa gave me your number. I hope you don't mind me calling.
Me: I don't mind. What'd Mel say?
Jackson: She wouldn't talk to me.
Me: Oh. So what's the difference in a halfway house and rehab?
Jackson: They're helping me, uh, get back into society.
Me: That's great. You're staying clean, right?
Jackson: Yeah. (pauses) It's been really hard.
Me: I know. But I believe in you. If not for you, do it for your kids and Mel.
Jackson: They're so strict here. I have a curfew. And I had to get a job that they approved of.
Me: You got a job?
Jackson: Yeah. I deliver pizza. And we have chores here.
Me: (chuckles) Yeah. That's life.
Susan (Daley's friend from work): (holds a baby in her arms) Is Daley here?
Me: No.
Susan: Oh. I guess I should've called first.
Me: It's okay. She should be on her way back from the grocery store if you wanna wait here.
Susan: Okay. Thanks.
Me: (leads her into the living room) Would you like something to drink?
Susan: No, thanks.
Me: (looks at the baby) How old is he?
Susan: Four months.
Me: He's so cute. I can't wait until Daley gets pregnant.
Susan: What? She can't get pregnant. She got her tubes tied.
Me: What?
Susan: She didn't tell you?
Before I have time to answer, Daley walks through the front door. I look at her.
Susan: Maybe I should come back later. (leaves)
Me: You got your tubes tied?
Daley: How did you find out?
Me: Why didn't you tell me? I'm your husband.
Daley: It's my body. I should be able to decide what to do with it.
Me: I can't believe you.
Me: Why wouldn't you tell me something as serious as that?
Daley: It was my decision. I don't want a baby, Nathan.
Me: Why not?
Daley: Because I don't!
Jackson: (cries into the phone) He offered me a fix, and I almost gave in.
Me: But you didn't. You're very strong. I'm so proud of you, Jackson.
Jackson: I really want a shot.
Me: Think about your kids. Once you get outta there, you'll be able to see them. And Mel.
Jackson: (sniffles) Are you sure that she'll give me another chance?
Me: (knows that he'll give up if I don't lie) Of course. So why are people in there if they aren't gonna quit drugs?
Jackson: A lot of people were sentenced here after prison. They don't wanna quit. But they have random room searches, so they'll get caught.
Me: Just hang in there, Jackson. Everything's gonna be okay, and you'll be with Mel and your kids in no time.
Me: (opens the door) Hey, Jackson.
Jackson: (wears his job uniform) I thought this house looked familiar. When did I ever come here?
Me: You don't remember? I guess it's best you don't.
Jackson: What?
Me: It's where you started detoxification. It took five days for you to withdraw, so I kept you in the bathroom. You kept trying to leave, but I wouldn't let you. And you were begging for a shot.
Jackson: (humiliated) Oh. D*mn. Um…here's your pizza. (hands it to me) I gotta go. (turns to leave)
Me: Jackson, wait. You forgot the money. (hands it to him when he turns around). Keep the change.
I call the halfway house and use the code that Jackson had given me. The woman on the phone tells me that he's at work, so I hang up.
I feel bad about reminding him of what had happened.
Eric: Wow. She got her tubes tied without telling you?
Me: Yeah.
Eric: Why?
Me: I don't know. She said that she just doesn't want a baby.
Eric: Is she scared? I mean, have you guys ever considered adoption or foster care?
Me: No. It's not the same as having one of your own.
Eric: But at least you'll have a kid. Maybe it's birth that turns her off.
Me: I guess I never thought about that.
Me: (opens the door) Hey, Jackson. How are you?
Jackson: (hands me the pizza and takes the money) I'm fine. Have a nice day. (turns to leave)
Me: (grabs his arm, spinning him around to face me) Why haven't you called?
Jackson: I've just been busy. Work and chores.
Me: I'm sorry about what I said last week. I wasn't thinking.
Jackson: It's okay. I gotta go.
Me: (won't let him leave) I understand why you were embarrassed.
Jackson: No, you don't! Okay? You don't get it! You don't understand the humiliation of being so vulnerable that you would've done anything to get your next fix! You don't know how it feels to be as helpless and lost and alone as I was! And you gave me a fifty dollar tip because you feel bad for me! But I'm not some charity case! I'm finally doing okay! So, please…. (tears stream down his cheeks) Just leave me alone.