This Is Me Trying

Chapter Thirty

Betty

Cold sweat dripped down my body. Chills ran over my skin, like a millions ants trying to dig their way into my body.
I bent over on the bed, and hurled the contents of my lunch. Or, what little lunch I was able to eat.

"Hey, you good?"

I looked up and saw a woman, around my Mom's ages, standing in the doorway.

"I want my Moms." I whimpered out.
"I know sweetie. It'll be okay. This is the worst part of it. And then it'll get better."
She walked over to me and knelt down beside the bed, placing a cool wash cloth on my forehead.

"You don't have to help me." I mumbled.
"But I want to. I remember being exactly where you were." She whispered as she wiped my face gently.
"And you got better?"
"I got better." She nodded slightly.
"When does the pain stop?" I groaned.
"How long have you been in here?"
"Three days."
"It should stop soon. This phase is this worst. But, as soon as you get out of this room, your Moms can come see you."

"I miss them. And my Aunts, and everyone else. I feel so alone."
"But you're not. And that's the important thing. You're never alone. Everyone's got a guardian angel." She soothed.

Danielle

"We made the right decision, right?" I asked Stefania as she curled up in bed next to me.
"Sì. It's what's best for her bambina."
"I just miss her. I hate that we can't go see her until they call us. How long did they say she'd be in there for?"
"Minimum, a month. Maximum, as long as she needs."

"God, I miss her." I whispered as I cuddled up to my fiancé.
"I know bambina. I do too." She leaned over, and gently kissed my forehead.

Betty
One month later

"Hey sunshine!" Nora said cheerfully as she walked up to me.
"Nora! Guess what today is?" I said as I hugged her tightly.
"It's your going home day! Duh silly. You think I'd forget my favorite sponsee's going home day?" She said sarcastically.
"I'm gonna miss seeing you every day."
"You better not ever see me every day. Or I'll kick that little behind of yours." She teased.

"Betty!"
"Bambina!"

I turned quickly, and smiled as I saw Stefania, Danielle, Barrett and Jaina getting out of the car.

"Mom! Mamma!" I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, and jumped into Danielle's arms, knocking her down to the ground.
"Oh my God, I missed you!" Danielle exclaimed as she peppered the top of my head with kisses.

Stefania knelt down on the ground, and pulled the both of us into a hug.
"Oh my bambini. I'm so glad to have both of my girls together again." Stefania whispered.

"I love you guys. I've missed you guys so much."

"Hey, what are we? Chopped liver?" Jaina joked.
I got up from the ground, and pulled them both into a hug.
"I've missed my two favorite Aunties too."
"We missed you too, mija." Jaina squeezed me tightly.

"Alright sunshine! Here's your bags!" Nora said happily as she walked up with my suitcase and backpack.
"Thanks Nora. Mom, Mamma, this is Nora. My sponsor. Nora, this is my Mom, Danielle, and my Mamma, Stefania." I introduced them.
"You two raised a hell of a daughter. She's wonderful." Nora said as she shook their hands.
"Thank you for helping her while she was here. We can't thank you enough." Danielle said.

"Nora, these are my Aunts that I was telling you about. Tìa Jaina, and Auntie Barrett."

They all greeted each other and we stood in a comfortable silence for a few seconds.
"You have my number, right sunshine?"
"Yes ma'am." I nodded.
"You know you can call me. Any time, day or night. I don't care. If you need me, I'm there."
"Thanks Nora. I appreciate you being my sponsor." I hugged her tightly and grabbed my bag.

"You ready to head out kid?" Danielle asked.
"So ready."

Danielle

"What do you want for dinner tonight kid? You can have anything you want." I asked as we walked into the house.
"Mamma, can we help you make your lasagna?" Betty asked Stefania.
"We?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Yes. I want you to help too Mom. I just want to spend time with the both of you."
"You're sweet. But you know I don't cook well." I ruffled my daughter's hair.
"You'll be fine bella. Betty and I will be there the entire time."
"Okay, okay. You got it kid."

An hour later, we had the lasagna in the oven and people were showing up at our house.
"Uncle Jay! Uncle Grey!" I exclaimed as they walked in the house.
"Hey! We've missed you at the studio." Grey said while ruffling my hair.
"I've missed you all too." I said with a small smile.
Who even knows if I still have a job. I thought to myself.

"Mija! Your favorite person is here!" Jaina exclaimed as she walked in.
"But Barrett isn't in the house yet." I teased.
"Oh shut up and hug me." She laughed as she squeezed me tightly.

"So, when do you get to come back to work?" Grey asked as he sipped his Coke.

I shrugged and grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge.
"I don't even know if I have a job, Uncle Grey."
"What? Of course you do. They can't just fire you." He frowned.
"I mean they can. I was MIA for two weeks, and then I went to-" I took a deep breath. "I went to rehab."
"I know. But you're a good kid. You're a good worker."
"I guess. I'm a lot different now than when you first met me."
"You're right. You are different than you were before. But guess what? That's what makes you awesome. You beat the odds. You overcame hardship after hardship, and you're still kicking ass."
"Thanks Uncle Grey. I needed that." I reached over and gave him a hug.

"Kid! Come in the living room!" Danielle yelled.
"I've been summoned." I laughed as I walked into the living room.
"What's up, Mom?"
"Come over here." She patted the couch.
"Hi Betty." Krista waved from the computer screen.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.

"H-Hi Krista."
"How are you feeling?"
"A lot better, thanks for asking." I started picking at my fingers until Danielle grabbed my hand and held it tight.
"I'm glad to hear that. I do have another question. When would you like to start back to work?"
"What? I still have a job?" I gasped.
"Of course sweetie! I understand, that you went through some hard times. We all do. And you have my full support. Whatever you need, you got it."

"God, if you weren't on that computer screen I'd hug you so hard right now Krista. Mom? Mamma? When can I go back to work?"
"Whenever you want bambina. This is your choice. Krista, your Mom and I have already discussed this."
"Monday? Can I come back Monday?" I asked my boss.
"Of course sweetheart. I'll see you Monday."

We said our goodbyes and signed off of the video chat.
"Yes! Oh my God I can't believe it!" I cheered.

"Dance party!" Jaina exclaimed as she started playing music on the speakers.
"I'm so happy for you bella!" Stefania grabbed my hand and twirled me around.

It's official. Sobriety was the best choice I've made in my entire life.