Redemption

Chapter I

The rehab center is nothing short than a sacred paradise from the outside eye. It is built in a gothic revival style, similar to great universities parents eagerly boast if their children are accepted. The crushing irony is that anyone behind these walls is no one to boast, just a long kept secret.

The very heart of the center is the Garden of Eden with no walls or ceiling. The grass is a perfect green alongside several fountains adjoined by expressionless statues. A round of benches are parked by a few steps. Some seated by patients taking in the morning sun.

Tim sits on his own. But not alone. Isabel sits at the far opposite end.

The first few moments of this impossible meeting were positive with a few exchanges of words and a brief embrace he desperately wanted to be longer.

She took the lead to speak. But he could not pay attention to what she is saying, instead he takes in on how she appears.

She was still underweight. Her clothes hung so loosely it almost hid her figure if it were not for her frail face. The darkness of her eyes remains hollow deep under the skin, making her gaze almost mimic the same dilated eyes he remembers from her days on drugs. But she did not fidget or shake from withdrawal.

She smiles sweetly as he remembers. Her eyes look to him, even though she keeps a good space away from him. But within seconds, her smile disappears, which brings his focus back to her words.

"Thank you again for coming. I just thought you at least deserved to see how far I've been since I was brought here."

Tim's hand flinched with the reflex to touch her. But clenches it into a ball to stop himself.

"Of course. I'm proud of you for getting clean. The fact you're only getting better is all that matters."

Isabel's head dips down. Her hands come together on her lap. Tim follows her move and sees her fingers begin to nervously fiddle.

"I called you to see me because..because this will be the last time I want you to come here."

She bravely tilts her head back up.

The once stoic husband she always knew who she famously witnessed cry only once at their wedding looked absolutely defeated. He could not hold back the disappointment of her decision.

He no longer wanted to respect their quiet boundary. He moved an inch closer to reach for her.

Isabel blocks him by raising her open hands. He immediately remains in place. He is crushed that she almost looks frightened by him.

"B-But you're getting clean. It's going to be over soon. You're still my wife, babe. This is all I've ever wanted for you, so we can start over."

Her eyes welled up with tears. She shook her head. As hard as this was for her, she holds her focus on him.

"I'm still always going to be an addict, Tim. I have to live with this forever," she exclaimed. "I will never guarantee I won't relapse and leave you again. You don't deserve that. Not anymore."

The line is broken. Tim captures Isabel into his arms and pulls her forward to him. She does not respond to his touch. She remains a lifeless doll.

Tears stream down from Tim's eyes. He grips to her body in hopes she would respond differently. Her warm tears roll onto the crook of his neck. He shakes his head over and over again.

"Sir...sir..." a man's voice echoes in the air.

Tim looks around to see where the voice is coming from. Almost like the voice of God.