Compassion and Oblivion

Chapter Thirty-Three: Unstoppable

Author's Note:

Hello!

Just a quick reminder than (-Parent) is your mom/dad that you'd have a negative relationship with in the story, and I used they/them pronouns to reference them in this chapter.

Enjoy! 🥰

Dear Penny,

It's me.

I wanted to write to let you know that I'm being discharged from Zuzu Health and Wellness Center in a couple weeks, at the end of July. I tried calling, but seems like you got a new number.

I understand. I can't blame you. After what I did, you probably never want to see me again. I wouldn't be able to blame you for that, neither.

I was still hoping you'd be willing to meet me after I get out of here.

Doing this recovery program on my own has been tough. A lot of the other residents here have their folks at home rootin' for them. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that it's my own doing that I've had to fight through this program alone.

At first, this place felt like a prison. I felt trapped. Later on, I realized it's more like a purgatory. I can't leave this place 'til I'm ready. So, I worked real hard with my therapists and doctors. We found a medicine that works real well for me that'll curb my cravings. It'll also make me sicker than a dog if I have even a drop of alcohol. I'm happy to say that I'm six months sober, as I'm writing ya this letter.

I've been working regularly with three different therapists. I go to a group therapy session three days a week, and individual therapy the other two days. On individual therapy days, I see therapists for chemical dependency and mental health. It seemed silly to see a regular therapist, when I got locked up in here for alcoholism. After just a few sessions with her, I started to see that talking with her was useful. We worked through a lot of things that led up to the day your father left, and well...I guess you could say I banged a lot of things out between the three of them over the last six months. I also have regular follow up appointments with my care team for the next six months, at least.

I know you'll be pretty hesitant to meet with me. I just hope you'll give me another chance, even though I don't deserve anything else from you.

We have a lot to talk about, and I'd love to hear how you've been doing since I left. Knowing you, I'm sure you've gotten along just fine without me.

I'm sorry that things went as far as they did before I got help. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I could never ask for your forgiveness, because I haven't earned it. I just hope you'll come and hear me out.

Truly, Penny, I am sorry.

Sincerely,

Pam

Penny was a wreck after receiving that letter.

For the rest of the day, you could see the anxiety on her face as she tried to ignore the sealed envelope.

She wanted to wait to open it until after Sebastian, Abby, and Maru went home.

"I'll just open it this evening, it's no big deal!" she lied. "Let's eat lunch, shall we?"

Everyone could see that her eyes kept flicking over to the countertop where she left the letter, and everyone could tell that she wasn't going to be able to rest until she knew what was inside.