Shattered

I'm Okay

Rehab? Oh rehab. That has been the most mind freeing experience for me. I've learnt so much. My hardening heart was turned soft again.

And I know that alcohol will never be the answer.  And now? What am I doing,  I'm bettering myself. And not for anyone. But for me. For first time in a long time, I feel happy. And who do I have to thank for that? My family.

"Char, get over here." I call.

"Sup champ." She says.

"How do I look. I havent put a suit on in six months. Am I okay?" I ask. She stares at me. She then dusts my shoulder.

"Yea, champ. You look pretty good. You clean up nice." She says smiling.

Shes been living with me for the past week. Monitoring me although I dont plan to get back to alcohol. Ever again.

"Thank you. " I tell her.

"For what?" She asks. Sitting on the barstool.

When I left, she cleaned up this place. Mom and her left this place spotless. The house looked amazing when I came home.

"The help. Char you dont realise how deep down I had dug myself with that alcohol. You really dont." I tell her. She frowns .

"Anybody would have done that for you Nate. Because you're always helping everyone else. You deserve the help. But mom and I helped because we love you." She says, passing the pancakes she had made.

I have to admit, as much as I hate it when her friends come over and dread the nights her boyfriend sleeps over. There are some perks to her living her and that's breakfast.

"Yea mom loves me. You? I dont know." I say in a humourous tone.

"I hate you." She says chuckling.

"I hate you too man!" I say ruffling her hair.

"Hey, I'm going to tell mom." She says laughing while brushing her hair back.

"Tell Mom what?" Mrs Hart walks in.

"Mom." Char and I simultaneously say. She smiles.

"What are you doing here?" Char asks.

"Came to see this big boy off for his first day back at work." She says fixing me.

"How are you feeling sweetheart?" She asks me.

"I'm feeling very nervous but overall excited. " I tell her.

She sparks some conversation. Before finally letting me go.

I decide to try something different. Driving down to the company. I see a coffee shop, quite a number of people seated inside. A couple of them wearing professional attire.

"Welcome to Tilly's,  I'm Felicia. What would you like to order?" She asks.

"Just a plain coffee." I ask. She smiles and pours one for me.

"Thank you." I give her a hundred dollar bill.

"It isn't that expensive. " she gushes.

"Its your tip ." I smile at her.

I notice for the first time that my demeanor has demanded attention. Everyone is looking at me.

"Thank you " I say again.

The drive to the company feels so...exciting. I dont know why, but I'm super excited for it.

I park and walk out of the car. I can feel the atmosphere it feels extra professional.

I walk in and just like back at the coffee shop, my energy demands attention.

"Good morning sir." They all say when I walk past them. Unlike last time I was here. No one is mocking me and gossiping about me.

"Good morning sir. Looking good I see." Maddison greets. Next to her is Gabriella who is on the phone. Her stomach has grown a big deal.

"Oh and he just walked in. Please give him about ten minutes to settle in and call again... thank you." She says.

"That was Mr Rickell. Welcome back sir." She says.

"Oh, he will call later. Thank you Mrs Torres." I say to her. She nods.

I walk into my office and just as they were put to, the wall of window calms me down and makes me feel safe.

The picture that had once been on my desk is gone. Replaced with a vase of flowers

I sit on the leather chair and exhale. The phone rings.

"Mr Meyer, I have Mr Rickell waiting on line two." Gabriella's voice echos through the phone.

"Alright thank you." I tell her and press two.

"Nathan, nice to hear from you again." Mr Rickell says before I even say anything.

"Mr Rickell. How have you been?" I ask him. He chuckles.

"I've been good. I should be asking you , you almost scared me to death. "  he says. Being the dramatic man he is I imagine him  placing a hand on his chest.

"I know, but I'm okay now." I tell him.

"I'm glad. Or else Nathaniel Meyer would have had my balls." He jokes.

Nathaniel was my father. He loved me very much and raised me all alone. And I was hoping that I had taken after him. The only thing I can admit is that we have one thing in common. And it's that both of our women walked out on us.

I dont know if it was better for him or for me. I wasnt actually married to Elizabeth and I didnt have a child with her. While him? He was married to my mother for years and had me.

My dad had it worse. But none the less, he still raised me with love.

"Still a touchie subject huh?" He asks.

"Whats a touchie subject?" I ask.

"Your dad. I mentioned his name and you went silent. But anyway,  I hope you're okay. I know you must have it hard." He says.

I stare blankly at the flowers infront of me. They have a card. I grab it and read it.

Welcome back to work sir.
We hope that you've had a good recovery.
And are ready to lead our company back to victory

XXX
Your employees.

I smile to myself. These truly are the best team of workers I have.

"I do have it hard Mr Rickell. But just know, I'll be alright." I tell him.

He dives right into business. And that excites me. That's why I came back here. I missed being here.