He slammed the car door and sighed as he looked up at the huge brick building that stood before him, the entrance begging him to enter, but his entire being holding him back. He placed his free arm across his chest and leaned against his car as he took a longing drag from his cigarette.
He had arrived at the rehab facility in record time; nearly 15 minutes left to spare. He was rather surprised he hadn't gotten pulled over by the police, but relieved at the same time. He wasn't even sure what he would have told them, but he was sure his attitude would have gotten him a night in the county jail – something that didn't sound fun to him in the least bit.
He pushed his weight from the car, as he took the last drag from his cigarette and flicked it into the nearly empty parking lot. The pills had started taking effect, giving him the strength he needed to now enter his fate.
He shuffled his feet as he walked towards the door, wanting to get the next hour over with as fast as possible and thinking to himself how he was one who didn't need the 'help' that would be offered to him. He decided to take the next 30-days as they came, get it over with and proceed with his life.
He stood in the doorway, as his eyes feel over the group before him. A small group of about 20 people sat in metal folding chairs, conversing and laughing, without a care in the world. A rolled his eyes as he made his way to a chair and pushed it back from the group before taking a seat.
Almost as if on cue, a slender, brown-haired woman stood and smiled, as she cleared her throat, demanding attention from the others in attendance. Jeff sat back in the chair and folded his arms across his chest, his eyes gazing on the attractive female.
"My name is Janine and I have been sober from abusing prescription medication for 1,806 days now." she stated proudly, as the others clapped around her.
She sat back in her seat as an older man stood and addressed the small crowd. It was exactly as Jeff thought it would be. People standing, stating their accomplishments just as you would at an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting. He couldn't understand how this would help or cure him from his addiction. He couldn't even figure out why Vince would set him up at a place such as this if it were to help him kick his habit.
"Sir, would you care to share with the rest of the group?" came a voice from Jeff's left.
He stared at the younger female who was seated next to him, as he gave a sheepish smile and cleared his throat.
"Name's Jeff. I was sent here because I failed a random drug test at my place of employment. Seems it's my last strike." he said, laughing lightly. He looked around, seeing no one else had shared in his joke. He wiped his palms on his jeans as he sighed deeply.
"Anyway, I'm here for 30-days to apparently get help from some addiction that I have." he finished, rolling his eyes.
"We're glad you've joined us, Jeff." Janine said, smiling warmly in his direction. "What is your addiction?"
Her question took him by surprise as he stared at her for a moment before scratching his forehead. He knew he didn't have a problem. The pills he took were to help him get by. He needed them to survive in every day life. That's what he had tried explaining to everyone, but no one seemed to listen.
"That's just it. I don't have an addiction." he began, sitting forward. "The prescriptions I take are for survival purposes. Like someone on blood pressure or heart medicine."
"Uh huh. How about me and you talk after the meeting?" she asked, arching her brow.
"Are you like the instructor or something?" Jeff asked, becoming irritated.
"Something like that." she laughed. "I'm the counselor."
"How are you qualified if you were once an addict?" he asked, becoming offensive for no apparent reason.
The group grew quiet as they all looked between Janine and Jeff. The tension in the room was more than enough to bare. He arched his own brow, challenging her in a sense. She placed her hands on her hips and stood her ground as she focused in on Jeff's
"I'll see you afterwards." she said sternly before smiling and passing out packets to the group.
Jeff sat back and folded his arms across his chest with anger. His leg began twitching back and forth as he blocked out the rest of the meeting, instead caught up in his own thoughts. His mind raced with anger and fury every time he would glare at Janine.
The nerve of her to talk to me like that! How is she any better than me?
It rattled him to no end that she would speak to him like a child in second grade. To reprimand him in such a way in front of everyone else, like he was some asshole or something. And to make matters even worse, the slight confrontation between the two had only formed a pounding headache, instead of the comforting buzz that was once there. He was so rapped around his own thoughts, he didn't see her sit beside him or saying his name.
"Jeff!" she urged again, shaking his leg slightly.
He stared at her and his stomach instantly turned from the mere sight of her smiling features. Almost the same sickening feeling he had gotten from Beth when he had left his brother's house almost 2 hours before. He rolled his eyes before sitting up some and glaring at her over the bill of his hat.
"So, what's so important that you had to drag me from the rest of day?" he asked, slightly annoyed.
"Well, I just didn't find it appropriate that you would address me in front of the class in the manner you did, as if I am unqualified for the position I hold in the meetings." she said, deciding to choose her words carefully.
"Well, do be completely honest, I don't see how a former addict is qualified as a mentor and a leader for these people who come to hear you talk about recovery." he stated, challenging her once more.
"Well, I'll have you know, I find myself more qualified than a non-addict coming here and speaking to these people who need help. I know where they have been. You've been. I know what you all are going through, regardless what the addiction is. And to be completely honest with you, I can relate and help you more than anyone else in here. I fought the same battle you are fighting now." she replied, becoming somewhat angry herself.
"Look, lady. Don't come in here thinking you know me and can 'cure' me in some magical way. I didn't come here willingly. I came here to save my job, so let's get these 30 days over with and you and I will never have to see or speak to each other again. Alright?" he said, sitting up placing his elbows on his knees, coming dangerously close to the female.
"And don't try to challenge me, Jeff Hardy! I know exactly who you are! I read the packet your boss sent my, including your profile and the prior Wellness Policy violations that you have against you. I know about there being more than two instances of you pissing dirty! You're sorry ass must be special to them to save it because you should have been gone by now! "
She stood and glared down at him with every ounce of hatred she could muster. Jeff dropped his jaw slightly, looking at her with amazement, wondering how she knew all that she did. He hadn't realize his entire file would be sent down to the treatment facility, or to this woman who clearly didn't like him, much less care about his problems or a possibility of helping him.
"So, don't come in here trying to wave your star power around because it won't work! And in closing, I just want you to know that you need me much more than I need you!" she finished, turning on her heel and storming from the room.
Jeff balled his fist up and slammed it against the cool, solid chair, making a loud crashing sound ripple through the now empty room. He grabbed his leather jacket from the back of his own chair and folded it across his arms before grabbing his keys and making his own exit.
There was more than one thing reeling through his boggled brain, making his headache even worse. To make it even worse, there was plenty of things he still had to do before the day was over. Between making arrangements for his new home being built, calling contractors, electricians and surveyors, he also had to go shopping for a new wardrobe and personal items.
But, the most important thing he added to his already lengthy schedule, was making a call to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut to talk to his boss, Vince McMahon.