Chapter 24- Addiction and Regrets

"Shawn isn't here, but come on in and sit down." Cory answered the door and invited Maya and Josh into the apartment. "He called me about an hour ago and asked me if he could crash on my couch." Maya exchanged a glance with Josh.

"Where did he go, did he say?" Maya asked.

"He explained the drinking situation and the rules that were laid down." Cory explained, taking a seat on the couch. "He told me that Katy kicked him out and he needed a place to go. I offered my couch and we talked when he came over. He went to a meeting and should be back in about an hour or so." Maya sighed sadly.

"I just hope he betters himself from this. I am going to need him." She subconsciously rubbed her belly. Cory patted her knee, reassuringly.

"He will, Maya. He is strong and he needs you and your mom just as much as you need him." Cory said.

"Thank you, Sharon, for reading Chapter 5." Chairperson Adam looked around the circle of chairs. "I think Shawn should read next. Shawn, would you please read the 12 traditions for us?" The group turned to Shawn who nodded and began reading.

"Number 1. Our common welfare should come first. Personal recovery depends on A.A. unity. Number 2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority- a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern." As Shawn continued down the list, the group listened intently and nodded every so often in agreement. "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities." When he finished all 12, the group clapped quietly.

"Thank you for that, Shawn. Inspiring, isn't it?" Adam smiled. Shawn nodded in agreement. "Would you like to share your story, Shawn?" he suggested. "Why are you here?"

"I suppose." Shawn agreed, standing up from his chair. "Hello, My name is Shawn, and I am an alcoholic."

"Hello, Shawn." Responded the group, collectively.

"I have not had a drink in four days." Shawn continued. The group clapped quietly again. "My wife kicked me out until I get this under control." He told the group about his childhood and his mother and father issues. He talked about the death of his father and how that led to his drinking problem in the first place. Shawn felt like a weight had been lifted when he was finished. After the group, he stayed behind at the behest of Adam to meet other addicts. He realized while talking to the other members of the group, that his problems were not exclusive to himself. Sharon and Michael had almost the same upbringing as him and in the case of Jason, there was physical and sexual abuse that led to his drinking. After exchanging numbers with the other members, he headed home, feeling lighter and more empowered than he had in a long time. He was confident that with the support of his family, he could beat this addiction.

Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the door of Cory's apartment. He heard Maya talking to Cory on the other side. Thinking about just walking in, he stopped. He may be staying here, but it was not his apartment. He knocked on the door and waited while Cory unlocked it to let him in. Seeing Shawn so unburdened was slightly alarming to Cory. Shawn grabbed him for a hug and held him tight.

"Thank you, Cory." Shawn said.

"For what?" Cory replied, confused.

"For letting me crash here. For being that annoying voice in the back of my head whenever I was about to do something stupid. For being my best friend." Shawn gushed. Cory hugged him back.

"No problem, Shawnie. Anything for you." They hugged for what seemed like 10 minutes.

"Hey, Shawn." Maya spoke, breaking the silence. "I'm sorry about Mom." She looked at the floor, her tears falling and landing on her shoes.

"Don't apologize. This is on me." Shawn rushed over to the couch and hugged Maya, reassuringly. "I knew the rules and I broke them. That is what I am trying to remedy now. I will be fine here at Cory's." Maya sniffled and nodded, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.

"How was your meeting?" she asked, curious.

"It was good. I got a lot off my chest and I feel lighter." He replied. Maya smiled.

"You look happier. Just keep at it, Shawn." Maya stood up and kissed his cheek. "I am gonna go see what Riley is up to." She skipped off to Riley's room, tapping lightly and letting herself in.

Riley was going over outfits in her closet and did not notice Maya enter her room. Maya tiptoed across the room, until she was right behind Riley and, using her hands, covered Riley's eyes.

"Guess who?" she asked, playfully. Riley feigned surprise and gasped.

"Oh! I just don't know! Madonna!" she replied. She grabbed Maya's hands and ducked out from under them. Still holding onto Maya's hands, she jumped up and down, excitedly.

"Guess what, Maya?!" Riley exclaimed.

"What?!" Maya replied.

"We were invited to a party next week, at Evan's house!"

"Oh. Riley, I don't know. I don't feel comfortable going to a party like….this." She gestured to her belly. Riley nodded in understanding. "But you go ahead. Have fun." Riley raised an eyebrow.

"You sure you don't want to go?"

"I'll be nothing but a bummer while I am there anyway."

"OK. If you're sure." Riley replied. Maya nodded.

"I'm sure. But if you go, please be careful." Maya replied, pointedly.

"Don't worry about me, I will be fine." She turned back to her closet to continue looking for her party outfit. After finding it, she closed her closet door and joined Maya in the bay window.

"Maya, do you find anything wrong with Evan?"

"What do you mean? Wrong?"

"It's just that, before Lucas moved away he warned me to stay away from Evan, but would not tell me why. I can't see anything weird, but I just wanted another opinion."

"Not that I can see, but you never know what another person is hiding. So again, I beg you, please be careful if you go." Riley nodded, acknowledging Maya's concern.

Topanga knocked on Riley's open door and the girls turned to look at her.

"We will be leaving for dinner in about 10 minutes. Are you going with us Maya?" Maya had forgotten about dinner. In all of the excitement with her mother and Shawn, it had slipped her mind.

"I think I might actually go home and eat dinner with Mom." Maya replied. Topanga nodded and headed for the living room. Riley and Maya followed her. Maya said her goodbyes to everyone, including Josh, who opted to go to dinner with his brother's family.

When Maya arrived home, her mother was sleeping on the couch. Quietly, Maya covered her up with a comforter, causing her to stir slightly. She quietly made her way to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich before heading to bed. Sliding in between her sheet and comforter, she fell asleep dreaming of her future baby and what Little Bean may look like later in life.