A Starling's Awakening

The Rescuers

Bret called Mark on Monday morning.

"I located Bryce Phillison. He's in county lock-up for attempting to buy drugs. Does Hope on a Hilltop Recovery have a bed?"

"Yes, and I told them about your friend. They are waiting for him. What is this going to cost you?"

"He has to pay a fifty dollar fine, which he doesn't have. If I pay his fine, they will let him go, and we can take him to Hilltop."

"I'm ready when you are."

Bret kissed me. I was worried.

"Honey, I want you to be careful."

"I'm taking Mark with me. We can handle him."

"Bret, he's a drug addict. He might get violent."

"Babe, I could pound him into the ground. He's in withdrawals, so he'll be as weak as a little child. We won't have any trouble." Bret took his sedan.

It was four hours later when I heard from Bret. He texted that he was headed home. He dropped Mark off at home. Mark drove over and stayed for dinner.

He told us, "Hilltop is a secure facility, so getting in wasn't as easy as simply walking in the front door. We got Bryce settled. He has his own little room. They are giving him medications to help with the withdrawal symptoms, but his body needs to flush the toxins for them to stop."

Bret added, "I agreed to be his sponsor. I will have to join him at Hilltop on Thursday evenings for his support group. Once he's done there, he will need to find a local group. I will be going to those meetings with him, at least for a while."

I asked, "What is a sponsor?"

Mark answered, "A sponsor is someone, like Bret, who comes alongside an addict. He, or she, holds the addict accountable as they work through the recovery process and learn a new lifestyle."

"Bret should be a natural. I mean, he taught me this new lifestyle." Bret hugged my shoulders.

Mark visited with Bret and I about our marriage. While his genuine concern for us no longer takes me by surprise, I do find it comforting. I still don't get the Bible references, though. He suggested we read it.