The Only Cure

Episode 44

Lexi: Hey babe, you feeling better? Are you gonna freshen up now so we can all talk?
Lauren: I NEED TO BE LEFT ALONE IS WHAT I NEED TO DO. FORGET THIS, I'M GONNA GO HAVE ANOTHER!!
Christina: Laur, babygirl!! What happened?
Lisa: Laur I'm sorry, I happened to be there at the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sorry hun, I felt bad leaving you alone outside and wanted to keep you company, I guess when I got a whiff of it I got this nauseating feeling.
Lauren: Whatever, I don't need a lecture from none of y'all.
* LAUREN'S POV *
I quickly get the keys to my Tesla, hop in and start the engine locking the doors while Christina and Lexi knock on the windows
* END OF POV *
Christina: Lauren, stop!! This isn't you, please don't go.
Lexi: Babe this is unlike you, please we can talk about this.
Lauren: Too late I say speeding away.
Christina: Hop in my truck Lexi, we are going to pursuit her. We have to go slow as I don't want her to know we are following her, we are sneaking up on her to see what she will do.
Lexi: Okay, sounds like a plan.
* 5 minutes later *
Shivay: Lauren!! One of my best customers, how you do today, long time no see you. What can I do for you?
Lauren: I need something strong, what cigarettes do you have in stock? Preferably the ones with a lot of nicotine.
Shivay: Hmm let me see here. Newport, Marlboro, Parliament, Chesterfields. Wait a minute, you no smoke anymore right?
Lauren: I started doing it again, I just need something. Umm do y'all have Backwoods in honey berry?
Shivay: Yes, that will be $5.00, it was good seeing you, stop by soon again? I will have more honey berry in the next week!
Lauren: K thanks bye. Yikes, that was a close one. Now I have to find a place to hide, ermmm. I know! My car perfect!
* LAUREN'S POV *
I flick the lighter putting the backwood in my mouth. I let out a sigh of relief letting out the smoke. This is just what I needed. I open my window flicking the backwood and relighting it. I moan in happiness. Hey!! What the?!? I wasn't finished.
* END OF POV *
Lexi: Babe, this isn't like you. I know this isn't like you. Let's go home, your going to freshen up and talk to us. Chris, I found this receipt. Go to this store and ask the clerk for any information he or she might have.
Christina: Okay.
Christina: Hi, um are you the manager?
Shivay: Yes, I am manager of this establishment. My name is Shivay, how may I help you?
Christina: Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Christina, I believe my sister came into this store, does this receipt look familiar?
Shivay: Yes it does, is your sister Lauren? She comes to store frequently. She came in not too long ago. She looked very sad. She ask me what cigarettes are sold to here, right after I tell her she says she wants backwood. I've checked her ID before so she of age. Oh my, I am so very sorry for the inconvenience, here you can have refund.
Christina: It's okay, we are trying to get Lauren to give up drugs. If she comes here again can you please not sell her anything regardless if she has money.
Shivay: Yes do not worry, if she does ever come again in here I call you, here is my store phone number. I'm only person who works here so phone calls will only be me okay?
Christina: Thank you so much sir. We greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your insight.
Lexi: Babe, go freshen up and then Christina and I can talk to you.
Lauren: Fine, I say with an attitude.
* 6 minutes later *
Lauren: Okay, I am ready now even though I am still mad.
Lexi: Babe, I love you more than words could ever describe. What you did was very unlike you. Babe, why did you do that?
Christina: Take your time Laur, here, hold our hands, it's okay.
Lauren: I didn't expect Lisa to sit outside with me, I know y'all cannot stand the smell of cigarettes, I guess Lisa felt bad leaving me outside alone and wanted to see how I was feeling. If I am being honest, smoking has helped me in many ways. It's relieved my stress, calmed me down after our shows, it helps me unwind, etc. Y'all can tell me cigarettes are bad and this and that. I understand they are bad for my health. I would stop consuming nicotine if I could, I'd give it up in a heartbeat if I could, the truth is I'm too weak. I could really use a cigarette right now, do y'all mind? Just one? Please? If I can't have nicotine can I at least have a herbal cigarette?
Christina: Lauren, you aren't weak!!! We know how hard it's been for you. But you know what baby girl? It's worth the fight. Let's all go outside and you can have a herbal cigarette.
Lauren: mhmmm so good, this is such a good ciggy, I'm feeling better already. Listen y'all, I can't give nicotine all up at once, if I can't smoke cigarettes fine, at least let me use my JUUL in moderation.
Christina: Okay, you can use the JUUL in moderation but nothing else. What you did today was unacceptable. We can't be mad at you as we aren't perfect, we all make mistakes, we just hope you know that what you did was wrong. My greatest hope is that you learn from todays mistake.
Lexi: I completely agree with Christina on that. I love you babe, so fricken much.
Lauren: I love you more baby. I also want to admit, I've been missing our brothers a lot, especially little Joey. I hope to hang out with them soon and hopefully not vape around them. I don't want to be a bad influence. I've already caused our family enough stress and pain.
Christina: It's okay baby girl, we understand!!