Damaged Souls (Broken Man) - By Christopher Scott Page 0,31
want you to be ready for what you’re about to see,” Jack opened the conversation as he pulled into the parking lot.
“What do you mean,” she questioned him with a look of concern on her face.
Jack thought of how to prepare Delaney for seeing Greg while at the same time not scaring her. “Greg might not be awake, and even if he is, he might not really be all that alert. He is on a lot of medication, and I don’t want to worry you, but you need to know his face is rather swollen and he doesn’t look great.”
Jack could tell she was trying not to cry as they found a parking space. “I don’t care how he looks as long as he’s okay.”
“He’s going to be fine, Delaney,” he reassured her once again as he opened his door and got out of the car, unable to resist the compulsion to form another checklist.
Visit Greg, meet with the attorney, pick up Logan, Jack realized his new list was not quite finished as he opened up Delaney’s door. No, there was one important piece of business he was actually looking forward to.
Going back to Mitch’s house and having that bastard arrested.
* * *
I should have done more, Amanda realized as she sat in Susan’s living room and waited for her to finish getting packed. Of course Greg lied about his mother’s condition, I did the same thing when I was a young. But, we are going to do something about it now. We are going to get her the help she needs.
I need to do something, Amanda thought to herself as she stood up to straighten the living room. I can’t believe we let Greg live like this. Actually, I can believe it, she again felt guilty for not doing more as she poured a bottle of vodka down the drain and thought back to her own childhood.
Amanda remembered attempting to feel that her unique living conditions were just like everyone else’s, the way she lied about her mother’s absence in an attempt to simulate some kind of normalcy. I know Greg was just doing the same thing, and like me, he became very adept at it. No child should ever have to go through that, Amanda didn’t know if she was thinking about Greg or herself.
I am here for a reason, Amanda refocused on the task at hand as she thought of her mother and walked back to the bedroom to check on Susan. This is what I am trained to do, this is what Greg needs. I am going to help this woman, Amanda made a promise she was going to keep as she walked into the bedroom.
“Are you about ready,” Amanda asked, hoping Susan wasn’t having second thoughts after the night before.
“Are you sure this is the thing to do,” Susan looked to Amanda for answers as she zipped up her suitcase. “Greg might need me now.”
“Greg is going to be fine,” Amanda reassured her. “It’s time for you to take care of yourself. I don’t think anything would make Greg happier than to see you in recovery and sober again.”
“I don’t know,” Susan hesitated as she started to cry. “Last night made me realize that I need to be there for him. What have I done.”
“Susan, listen to me,” Amanda took her hand as she sat her down on the bed. “You need to do this, you are going to one of the best treatment facilities in the state. It’s only for a month, and then you can come home. We’ll look after Greg for now, but I promise he will be there when you get home.”
“Are you sure,” she looked to Amanda for confirmation as she finally surrendered to her addiction.
“I am positive,” Amanda replied as she realized Susan had taken the first step to recovery.
* * *
Bang, bang, bang.
What is that noise, Greg thought to himself but couldn’t move. Am I dreaming?
Bang, bang, bang.
Where am I? Where is Delaney? Who keeps hitting me in the head?
Bang, bang, bang.
What is Jack doing in my bedroom, Greg asked himself as he managed to open his eyes. Someone please turn off that light. What is he saying.
“Greg, can you hear me.”
Jack’s question was drowned out by the banging in his head. I think I’m supposed to respond, Greg realized as he heard the sounds coming out if his mouth. “Is that you, Jack.”
“I’m here, Greg,” Jack responded as Greg felt his hand grip his.
“Where am I,” he