Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
They’d already been up to visit him and had urged me to do the same. I knew they meant well, but I wished they could see my perspective a little more. “I’m not sure what I need, except for Paul to get his crap together so he isn’t pulling our family apart anymore.”
Sage’s tone was gentle as she said, “Arrow checked in with his friend when we got back from our honeymoon to see how Paul is doing. From what he told me, it sounded as though he’s making good progress.”
“Yeah, when he called to ask me to come up, he sounded better than he has in a really long time.” I let out another sigh. “But I’ve been here before, hoping for the best when he’s in rehab and then being disappointed when his sobriety doesn’t stick. I’m not sure I have it in me to do it all over again.”
“You need to give yourself more credit, Phoebe,” she chided. “You’re a lot stronger than you realize.”
Her encouragement was exactly what I needed to push through my fear. “You’re right. I can do this.”
“Of course, you can. Now quit stalling and get in there.”
After we said our goodbyes, I tucked my phone into my purse and climbed out of my car. The next hour passed in a blur as Jacob, Arrow’s friend who ran the rehab, walked me through the progress Paul had made so far and explained that he was going to stay for another thirty days.
“He really agreed to that?” I asked, stunned since he’d always been ready to leave the minute his time was up whenever he’d gone to rehab before.
“He didn’t just agree, it was his idea.” Jacob reached over and squeezed my hand. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if he chooses to extend his stay with us to ninety days.”
My eyes widened and filled with tears. “Wow, you’re a miracle worker.”
He shook his head. “No matter how good our success rate is here, it’s ultimately up to our patients to do the truly hard work. Which your brother has been doing.”
“I am so relieved to hear that.” I flashed him a watery smile. “Thanks for alleviating my concerns. I think I’m ready to see Paul now.”
“Good.” He patted my hand. “Although your brother was nervous about your visit, I know how much he’s looking forward to seeing you and making amends.”
Paul had reached this stage in recovery before, but his apologies were always vague and halfhearted in the past. I was happy to discover that was no longer true when I walked into a small conference room and he jumped up from his seat to rush toward me. “I am so, so sorry, Phoebe. I know I’ve said it to you many times before, but knowing that Sage got hurt because of me—that you could’ve been hurt or died—finally knocked some sense into me. I hate that it took me falling so low to see the harm my actions have caused, but I promise you nothing like this will ever happen again.”
There was no missing the sincerity shining from his blue eyes, and I took note of how much better he looked. He’d put on some weight, his clothes were clean, and his skin had a healthy glow. “Do you mean you won’t do drugs again?”
“I’m sorry, sis. I wish I could make that promise, but I will always be an addict, just one in recovery.” Stepping away from me, he gestured toward one of the chairs, waiting for me to be seated before he dropped down next to me. “The struggle will be there for me each and every day for the rest of my life. Some days will be easier than others, but there might come a time when I fall. The only promise I can make to you is that I will do whatever it takes to stay clean. I’ll go to meetings, call my sponsor, ask for help whenever I need it because I never want to let the people who love me down like this again.”
“You really mean it,” I whispered, sniffling at the overwhelming sense of relief that rushed through my body.
“I do,” he confirmed with a nod, reaching out to take my hand in his. “I know you’ve already given me more chances than I deserve, but I’m hoping you have it in you to forgive me one more time for all of the pain I’ve caused you. For lying and putting you in danger. For Sage getting hurt because of my actions. And for not being the big brother you deserve.”
Only thirty minutes ago, I hadn’t thought it was possible, but I found myself not hesitating to say, “I forgive you.”
“Thank you.” A lone tear rolled down his cheek, and I leaned over to give him a hug.