Look What I Found!

Ch. 27

Richie walked through the halls of one of the finest rehabilitation centers in California on his way to one of his daily sessions. Three days in, he'd met many new people with whom he got along well, and some people from his last time there still checked in. He has watched multiple people walk in and out of the place, Richie nearly being the few who walked out, but the thought of Mike and that look of fear in his eyes kept Richie from leaving.

He made it to the room, annoyance already evident on his face as he took notice of a few chairs already placed in a circle. He took his usual seat, a few others already in theirs as they silently conversed with each other, Richie staying to himself for the most part. He nodded to a few who greeted him until his ex, Naomi, arrived.

"Hey, Richie." She smiles, sitting beside him.

He visibly perks up, "hey, Mimi."

She rolls her eyes, "how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me that."

"You love it, and you know it." She shrugs, smiling at him for him to know that she didn't honestly mind. His heart was always squeezed in anguish now whenever she spoke those Eddie-like words, but he couldn't stop himself from calling her that nickname she hated to love.

"I didn't like it when we were together, and I still don't like it now."

"I bet you like it when your girlfriend calls you that."

"Duh," she said in the most prominent voice that Richie snorted. Richie has met Naomi's girlfriend and absolutely adored her. They had hung out more than once, joking with each other, and even had some inside jokes. One was how Naomi's girlfriend thanked him just about every time they saw each other for turning Naomi gay, or she would have never had a shot with her. Richie always pretended to be wounded toward Naomi but was happy she found someone to be herself with.

But, before he could answer, their counselor, Mr. Blakely, walked in, always with a pep in his step, too. "Hello, everyone! I'm glad to see that everyone is here today."

"Yea, I nearly left yesterday after all the bullshit," some gruff-looking guy scoffed.

"I know yesterday's session didn't go well, but I'm glad you're here today. How's your daughter? Have you spoken with her today?"

The man visibly perked at the question, softly speaking. "Yea, I-uh. They made hand turkeys at school the other day. She showed me what it looked like. She did really good! She did."

"I bet you can't wait to show her how much you've improved."

"Yea... But staying in here... I'm forced to stop. Out there. I have free range. What if I go back to my old ways? She'll be devastated."

"No," he said gently, "in here, you have much of a free-range as you do out there. You're choosing to stop in here as much as you were choosing to continue out there." The people around Richie nodded their heads, some giving murmured agreements. "She's proud of you. You should be proud of yourself." The man nodded, taking those words to heart as Mr. Blakely turned toward Richie, "and how are you doing today, Mr. Tozier? You've lasted three days. Think you could last four more? I remember the last time you were here lasted for two days. No judgment here, of course; some people need more time."

This man was an asshole. "Heh, yea." Richie answers, "I mean, I feel like shit and would really love a cold one. The thought of picking up another one kinda turns me off now."

"And why is that?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Everyone in this room has discussed why they're seeking help. Everyone but you. You've barely spoken during our sessions, and I have been told that you don't speak to anyone outside the facility. If you want the proper help, we must dig deep into why you're stopping. To what started it in the first place."