Dial Drunk - Post Malone

42

"I don't agree with you."

"Alright, Austin. Give me your theory."

"It's not a theory, it's reality."

"Ok. Give me your reality."

"I am not an alcoholic. I am not dependent on alcohol. I am a musician and got caught up in that world. Everyone does and I just was not prepared. I am prepared now, I recognise it and have a handle on it."

"Four weeks of rehab and therapy, and this is your theory. Oh, sorry, your reality? You are a fucking idiot," Grassy's voice comes from under the couch.

Both Austin and his therapist sigh then he gets up and crouches, looking under the couch to find Grassy lying flat on his back. "Hello, buddy," Austin says. "Oh! Hi! This is not where I parked my car," Grassy says looking around under the couch. "How do you keep breaking back in here?" the therapist asks as Austin pulls him out from under the couch. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I was just looking for my car," Grassy says dusting himself off. "You should consider getting a potato field," he adds over his shoulder as he walks out. "I would give anything to study that man's brain," the therapist says then points to the chair Austin was sitting in. Austin sighs and sits back down.

"So that's your theory?" she asks. "Yes, my reality," Austin confirms. "So there are no underlying issues? Your mind does not wander to a place or people or a person or an event or even a memory that makes you feel like you need to drink to get rid of it?"

"No."

"What about your parents?"

"My father is an amazing man. I love and respect him very much. My mother...I don't hate her...I do love her...but, she has no place in my life."

"May I throw a theory at you?" she asks and Austin flicks his head to let her speak. "You have an unrealistic view of your father. You have built an idolized version of him in your mind. It may be helpful to remember he is just a man and like all of us he is capable of making mistakes. Acknowledging that does not mean you love and respect him any less."

"My father is a good man."

"Your mother-"

"I don't want to talk about my parents."

"You have refused to speak about your parents the entire time you have been here."

"Because there is nothing to say about them. I don't want to talk about them."

"Alright, let's talk about Levi."

"What has Levi got to do with all this?"

"That's what I would like to explore. You have taken visits from a lot of people. Grassy, Dre, Cecilia, little Max, and Stella. But, you have declined all visit requests from Miss Levi Scott. Why?"

"I just don't want to see her."

"She means nothing to you?"

Austin's eyes snap to his therapist and he frowns, he feels very offended by her words.

"I just...I can't look at her after the shit I have said and done to her. She doesn't deserve this. I have dragged that woman to hell and back, and I don't know how I do that when I love her so much. It does not make any sense. She deserves better. She needs to move on...I want her to move on."

Austin doesn't know where that came from. He is always guarded when he talks in this place. He is always careful with his answers, but the mention of Levi's name and the word nothing has his brain spinning out and all his walls tumbling. But he immediately starts building them back up.