Time Makes You Bolder (Sequel to No One's A Fool)

Chapter 17

1993-94. Phoenix.

Wrenna was four when her mother had started the Klonopin. It was prescribed to her for anxiety, which she had developed and struggled with after getting clean from coke. At first Stevie was hesitant to take the meds, but the psychiatrist was good at his job, good at convincing her she needed it. For the next two years the prescription got stronger and stronger, and Stevie felt a part of herself slipping away.

It all came to a head that day at the baby shower, when she split her head open on the fireplace. There was blood everywhere, and Wrenna was crying, but Stevie felt no pain. In truth, she couldn't remember how she had fallen, or what even happened. She knew then that something was wrong. After a day of experimenting with Glenn taking the meds, she knew rehab would be her only choice to get off of these pills. She had been warned that detoxing from Klonopin was not like detoxing from cocaine – it was worse, way worse.

Putting her affairs in order, she met with Lori and Chris to discuss the plan of action. They would, of course, care for Wrenna while Stevie was gone. She hoped it would only be a month, but she had no idea how long it would take her. She called friends and family, letting them all know that she would likely miss Christmas. Mick, above all the others, was concerned. He had many questions for Stevie, few of which she could answer. He promised to come visit her in rehab, but she asked him to go check on Wrenna too.

The night before she left was horrible, and she barely slept. Before Wrenna had gone to bed that night, Stevie had been tasked with explaining to her daughter that she would be going away. Wrenna was confused and scared, despite Stevie's assurances that it would only be a short time, and that she would come back fully healed. Wrenna couldn't understand why she couldn't go with her mother. After all, she'd gone on every tour, every vacation, every work obligation Stevie had ever had. At most, she'd spent one or two nights away from Stevie while sleeping over at her grandparents or with Amy, but that was it. They lived with Lori, Chris, and Jessi, all of whom Wrenna adored. But Stevie was her main source of comfort, her only parent. Stevie barely slept that night, just holding her daughter and praying it would all turn out okay. In the morning, when the car came to take her to the airport, Wrenna cried.

"Mommy, please don't leave. I want to go with you." She said, clinging to Stevie's waist.

"I know you do, baby. But you can't. I have to go to the hospital, so I can get better and come back and be the best mommy ever. You're going to be okay with Lori and Chris, though. And lots of our friends are going to come see you, okay?" Wrenna nodded, but said nothing. "Try to be brave, my sweet girl. Mommy will be back soon, I promise." It pained her to leave Wrenna behind, but she told herself it was for the best, even though she cried all the way to the airport. In truth, she had no idea how awful these next six weeks would be.

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It was Lori who called Mick. She had gone to see Stevie in rehab, and she was scared. She explained Stevie's condition, telling Mick she feared Stevie was wanting to "give up". Mick didn't ask what that meant – he didn't want to know.

"Wrenna's not doing well, either. Amy's already out here, because I called her. I thought it would help. They just left to go ride horses, so at least she's staying distracted. She doesn't want to eat, so Amy's been making her smoothies and milkshakes. She's so little and skinny as it is, I really don't want her to lose any weight." Lori said. Her voice sounded scared, and Mick tried not to panic.

"Okay, tell you what. I'll go visit Stevie tomorrow morning. And after that I'll come see Wrenna." He assured Lori.

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