Unknown Feelings (Fred Coury x Eric Brittingham)

39. Freedom

FRED'S POV:

PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER 15, 1986

Two months.

Exactly two months.

It's been two months.

Two months since I decided to get clean.

I'm two months sober.

I haven't had a bit of drug or alcohol.

And I've never felt this proud of myself before.

I was finally able to find peace.

A kind of peace and tranquility I have never felt before.

And I loved it.

My mind suddenly stopped racing.

I've been able to be a lot more optimistic.

I don't feel as stressed or anxious as I used to.

I have been able to think of other important things and people besides everything else that was bad for me.

Such as my husband, and our plans.

The band.

My family.

While I have found peace, I am afraid.

I am afraid to confront my parents and tell them everything that has happened. I'm scared to find out what they think of me.

So I am thankful to have Luke and Lucy's support through this while I build the courage to do so.

While I am living at Eric and I's house, I visit them every other day for dinner. Emily, Tom's fiance, also stops by once in a while to check on me, which I appreciate. She was going to join Tom for the tour but she decided not to help out, which means a lot to me.

Asides from that, Eric and I have been talking every single day when we get the chance.

I miss him.

I honestly cannot wait to see him again.

To hug him, to kiss him.

I can't wait.

I just need about one more month and I am out of rehab.

But even if rehab ends in about a month, I have thought of taking some extra time for myself before going back into the whole rock world.

If all goes well, I'll be joining the band for the first time in months in January.

I'm excited and I'm trying to be strict about my choices now so I can make this happen.

I slowly raised my fist before knowing on the door.

A moment later, Luke opened the door.

I'm very fortunate to have them.

I've grown close with them over these past few months, I have even started to call them Uncle Luke and Aunt Lucy too.

"Hey, kid. Come on in. Lucy is on the phone with Eric if you want to say hi."

"Really? Yeah!"

"Lucy! Hold on to him. Fred's here!"

I heard Luke say.

"In the kitchen."

Luke said.

I nodded before walking over.

"Here."

Lucy said as she handed me the phone.

"Thanks."