Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
He placed his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. “Sis, I admit I’ve wronged you, and if I’m being perfectly honest, I can’t say I wouldn’t have done it again, in the state of mind that I was in at the time. As fucked up as it is, it’s the truth. But I want to change. I don’t want this for my life, hustling and stealing for my next hit. I thought I could pull a fast one on this local hood and look what happened. It was my wake-up call. It’s why I came to you. I do want help. But I’m in pain right now, and all I could think about last night was sneaking out and looking for another hit. Not even to get high but to feel better. These withdrawals are painful. I literally feel like I’m going to die.”
It was the first time he openly spoke about his addiction. Every other time I had brought it up, he’d brush me off or made it seem as if he was under control. Maybe his brush with death had indeed been the rock bottom he needed to get himself together. Maybe I would regret this decision later, but at least I could say that I’d done everything I could.
“Well, I know of a methadone clinic nearby that can help get you sorted out. It’s an outpatient service, but they do take on patients for 72 hours and sometimes up to 7 days if necessary. That should at least give me enough time to find a proper rehabilitation facility for you to get your act together. But Adam, this time you have to really want the help and not just give me lip service. Because I swear if you burn me this time, this is it. There won’t be anything else I can do for you.”
He nodded. “I understand, Sis but…won’t this be a financial burden on you?”
I bit my lip to stop myself from telling him that I’d made a deal with the devil which would see him through this. He didn’t need to know. Besides, though Adam may have had his selfish moments, he basically had a good heart. If he knew what I had to do to get this money, he wouldn’t accept it. “I’ll be fine I ugh, got a bit of an inheritance from Kenny’s will.”
“I swear one day I’m going to pay every single penny back to you.”
I’d heard this promise before and didn’t put much stock in it, but I suppose time would tell. “You can pay me back by getting better.”
This time he placed both hands on my shoulders. “No, Sis, I mean it this time. When Mom and Dad died, you and I were all we had, and you have been there for me every step of the way. Time and time again, I’ve failed you. One of the reasons it took me so long to come back around was because I was ashamed of what I’d done. And I didn’t think you would forgive me. I know I’ve said it a million time, but this time will be different.”
I studied his expression for several seconds which seemed earnest, but I couldn’t help thinking about the past. Finally with a heavy sigh, I wrapped my arms around his slender waist and rested my head against his boney shoulder. “Words are fine, Adam, but actions are much stronger. Prove me wrong this time.”
“I will, Sis.” He returned my hug, and I could just cry at how stick like his arms felt around me. My once all-American athletic brother had been physically ravaged by his addiction, and it hurt knowing that there was only so much I could continue to do for him. He had to want this for himself, and I prayed this time around that he did.
I pulled away from him to meet his gaze. “So what we’re going to do now is get this money to the guys, and I want you to be done with them.”
He nodded eagerly.
“Good. We’ll go by the bank, and I’ll get a cashier’s check made out to cash and—”
“No, that’s not going to work. These guys deal in cash.”
“Don’t you think if I asked for the amount in cash the bank would be suspicious. As a matter of fact if I recall clearly from working as a teller while I was in college you have to fill out a suspicious activity report for any cash transaction over 10 thousand. I don’t want that kind of scrutiny from the government.”
Adam groaned. “Well…there is a way. I know a guy who will cash a check for any amount for a 15 percent fee.”
“That’s outrageous. So you mean to tell me I’d have to pay an addition 75 hundred dollars to get a check cashed?”