Hold Me Now

Chapter Fifteen

For the past few weeks, David had been getting thinner, more forgetful, and paranoid. Freddie would often hear David up at late hours in the kitchen. He would walk in to find him eating peppers, drinking milk, and reading. After a while, he stopped asking questions. Instead, he would write things down in his journal which helped get rid of his worrying. He pondered about the reasons David could be acting this way. Was he pregnant and not telling Freddie? Whatever the reason was, Freddie figured he would find out soon.

"I'm going to the market, I'll be back later," David said before closing the door behind him.

Freddie was still in bed that early morning. Waking up each night to check on David was tiring. After a while, Freddie got up to use the bathroom. When he glanced at the sink, he couldn't help but notice blood stains splattered on the countertops and in the bowl. 

"What the hell?"

In the trash, he found small plastic bags and cheap razor blades. Freddie slowly pieced everything together and concluded what he thought was impossible. He panicked and brought his hands to his face. When he walked out of the bathroom, David walked into the apartment, red peppers and milk filling paper grocery bags.

"David, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"What're you talking about?" David replied as he put the groceries away.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about. How long has this all been going on?"

David stopped everything he was doing, realizing what Freddie was talking about.

"You keep eating only the red peppers, drinking only milk, and now I come to realize you're doing fucking cocaine? You can't do these types of things! It's not healthy and it's eating away your body and mind!"

David's voice was shaky, "Come on, it's not that bad. I only do it sometimes."

"You need some help, David. I don't think I can exactly help, but there are professionals that can."

"Come on, Freddie, I don't need someone else's help. I'm not even addicted."

"David, have you noticed how much you've changed in the past month? You're as thin as a rod, you're all jumpy and paranoid, and your diet is out of whack! When I walked in the bathroom earlier, I found those little baggies in the trash and blood in the sink. This is a serious issue!"

"It's not like you're helping right now, Freddie! I'm stressed, all right! It calms me down, makes me happy for once. I'm so fucking lonely and you don't even know. You don't fucking know!"

When David snapped his words at Freddie, he stormed out the door. He headed off the Neptune's Cove. Freddie could have cared less where David went. He couldn't deal with him. He was being greedy. He decided to have a smoke. He thought long about what happened. Did he react too aggressively? Should he have been calmer? He hoped David was all right. Freddie grabbed a YellowPages book and decided to call a substance abuse rehabilitation center. 

"Hello, this is Substance Abuse Rehabilitation United. This is Sarah speaking, how may I assist you?"

"Hello, Sarah," Freddie's voice shook, "I was calling regarding treatment for substance abuse. Are there any ways you can help with things of that sort?"

"Of course, first could I get your name?"

"Freddie."

"All right, Freddie, could you specify the substance or substances that you need help with?"

Freddie hesitated. He flashed back to finding blood stains in the bathroom and yelling at David. "Cocaine."

"Okay, please describe your entire problem. And don't worry, this is all confidential."

Freddie told Sarah about David and his unusual behavior along with his recent outburst.

"It sounds like he's relying on the substance. Have you tried to sit down and talk to him at all?"

"Yes, the past month it seems he's been avoiding me, getting angry and yelling," Freddie's voice croaked and his eyes watered.

"Well, Freddie, it was a very good choice for you to contact us. We offer different treatment options ranging from prescription pills to counseling. It's all up to you."

"Is it all right if I bring my husband to the center so we can decide together?"

"Of course, we have centers all across the UK. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"No, you've been very helpful, thank you, Sarah."

"You're welcome."

A wave of relief touched Freddie as he let out a big sigh. He heard the door open and saw David walk in.

"David, dear, can we please talk?"

David walked to the refrigerator and snacked on a pepper.

"Fine."

Freddie explained how he called a substance abuse center and that they would offer to help them. David stayed silent. 

"Well, what do you say? We want to start a family soon and I think it's best if we can overcome this."

David finished his pepper and threw away the remains. He walked over to Freddie and sat beside him. 

"I'll do it."

A/N: This was pretty intense. Also, I don't really know how substance abuse works so this is probably super inaccurate.