Zenith in Love (Zenith Series #5) - Leanne Davis Page 0,88
up, I needed a drink to feel normal. I all but abused your Aunt Joelle and I definitely was slowly killing myself. Even when I was sick and lazy and losing everything, I still drank. It’s such a nasty addiction. And no one chooses it; it creeps up on you.” The warning in his voice was clear.
“In all the things that happened to him, he was always alone. No one was there to tell him right from wrong until he discovered religion. That’s how he coped in the woods, when he knew his father was hurting little boys. I mean…”
“I’m not discounting the horrors of his childhood. That would certainly leave an indelible mark on his psyche, but it can’t change what you’ve described. Alcohol is a serious problem for him. And from what I know about that problem, you can’t fix it. You can’t save him.”
“But from what you said, he isn’t very far along with it. Intervention right now might stop it. He needs us. He needs our help. Something. Don’t you see? Together, we might—”
“Save him?” Rob replied gently. He leaned forward and kept his gaze on hers. She saw a loving flash in his eyes but also the stubborn set of his jaw and shoulders. “Ask your Aunt Joelle how she tried to save me and what it did to her. I mean it, Kayla. You need to know the truth. You knew me after I started to recover. Never during my addiction. I was a monster when she was your age. You can’t save him, believe me.”
“You don’t just walk away from the people you care about. From the people who need you. I mean, you always taught us to be loyal. What about that?”
He flinched. “I know. But this is different. Addiction is a whole different can of worms. You fall into the codependent cycle and become an enabler. There is nothing you can do that will help and everything you try will hurt you. If you think I want that for you, or that I’ll sit back and idly watch you walk into a relationship knowing that without trying my best to stop you, well, I’m sorry, Kayla, but no.”
“Can’t you talk to him? You know, the whole whatever you do, as a mentor? Or a sponsor? Are you saying it’s so hopeless that we should turn our backs on all alcoholics and addicts? What if everyone turned their backs on you?”
He nodded. “They did, honey. The only person I had left was Spencer and he was about done too.”
She surged to her feet, fists clenched. “You won’t even try? Thanks for nothing, Rob. I’ll find someone who will help him. I can’t believe I wasted so much of my time with you,” she snapped as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. Twirling around, she was about to stomp out. Where could she go? Back to Jim? Why?
“Stop.” Rob rubbed his hair. “Sit down, Kayla. Now.”
“No, Rob. I have nothing left to say to you.”
Rob got up and went over to her. He took her arm, gently pushing her back to her mom. “Sit down. I’m not finished with you. We haven’t figured anything out yet. Before you go off half cocked, let’s finish this conversation.”
“I thought it was over when you tossed Jim to the wolves.”
“I think he was saying you need to understand this might not be just one conversation. Jim has to be the one to seek the light and understanding,” Rebecca softly explained.
“I’m worried you will get hurt. Do you really care about him?” Rob asked.
“Yes. We all do. Kathy, Eric and I love Jim. We can’t turn our backs on him. He has no one else. His congregation would never accept him if they knew all this. And his predator father will blackmail him and reveal his whole past.”
“You’re prepared to enter a relationship with Jim fully understanding what it could become?”
“I’m prepared to fight for him. Yes.”
Rob sighed. “Okay. I’ll talk to him. I’ll explain what happened to me, see if he notices the parallels to his problem, and tell him how my addiction destroyed my life. The tools I used to climb out of it still work for me despite twenty years of sobriety. It feels as fresh as today.”
“Why wouldn’t you do that right off when I asked you to?”
“I don’t usually like to do it with someone so personal. Too much emotional investment. It’s not always effective. Someone else would probably be better.”