Turmoil | Spruceworth 5.1 (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Shaw

       Holden was able to be scheduled for surgery literally the next day after he went to the hospital for a check-up. He was a bit nervous for it even though there wasn't any risks, but that didn't stop him.

       I made sure to take some time off of work so I could go to the hospital with Holden and wait there while he was in surgery because it wouldn't take too long. It also made him feel more comfortable knowing that I was going to be there as soon as he woke up.

       Holden was undergoing surgery right now and I was in the waiting room when my cell phone buzzed with a message. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the text, seeing that it was from Viola.

       She told me there was an emergency at her house and even though I was still mad at her, I couldn't completely leave her to figure whatever it was on her own. I just had to make sure I was back before Holden woke up.

       I left the hospital and headed to Viola's house. I knocked on the door and she shortly answered it, so I walked into the house. "What's the emergency?" I asked.

       Her reply confused me entirely. "You are," she said, as she closed and locked the door.

       I was going to ask her what I meant, but then I noticed that we weren't the only ones in her house. Here along with us was Lawrence, Tara, Kendra, and even Dad.

       "What's going on?" I asked.

       Nobody said anything for a while. They all looked at each other as if they were silently communicating, trying to figure out who were to speak first.

       In the end, it was Kendra who finally spoke up. "Is it true that you're drinking again?" she asked.

       "Don't tell me this is some sort of intervention," I said.

       "You didn't answer the question," Kendra said, her voice lathered in disappointment because she already knew what the answer. And out of everyone, Kendra and Holden were the only people I didn't want knowing about it.

       And they both knew about it now. At least Holden was somewhat accepting of it and promised he would help me through it. I didn't know how Kendra was going to react to it.

       "He doesn't need to answer the question," Lawrence said. "We already know the answer."

       "You're right, we do," Viola said. "I would still like to hear my brother admit to it when he promised he would never touch a single drop of alcohol again."

       "You know what? I don't have time for this," I said, attempting to leave but Viola stepped in the way, making sure I couldn't unlock the door. "Move, Viola."

       "No," Viola said. "We're doing this for you, Shaw. You caused so many problems when you were an alcoholic. You got into a lot of trouble and we can't let that happen again. And the first step is to admitting you have a problem, so we want to hear you say it."

       "Seriously, I don't have time for this!" I said. "I came here because you said there was an emergency!"

       "This is an emergency," Viola said. "Because the more we don't address this, the more you'll be drinking and the more damage you'll bring."

       "Okay, fine, yes, I am drinking again," I said. "There? Is that what you wanted me to hear? Can I leave now?"

       "Not until we talk about this," Viola said.