Part 12: Nine Months Later

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"Sydd wakes up in rehab on his last day after nine months inside because of multiple relapses in the beginning months causing him to restart the program multiple times. He starts to freak out, but then starts to reassure himself.

"Ugh, it feels like I've been in here forever. Huh. As many times as I've been in rehab, this will be my first time graduating." He attends the completion ceremony they hold for all the people leaving the program, he leaves, and makes a stop to Janis' house and knocks on the door and she answers.

"What?" she asks upon opening the door.

"Hey"

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm clean! I graduated rehab today!"

"Oh, that's nice, it's gonna last a whole, what, 5 minutes before you're on the needle again?" she says sarcastically.

"No, I've changed. Listen, why don't we just forget the past and just- start fresh? Hm? Please?"

"Maybe"

"I'll think about it"

"Where's my brother?"

"He's at the concert across town at the annual festival, but you'd better not bother him I don't think he wants to see you."

"I'm going anyway" and he heads in the direction of the festival and waits at the bus stop to get picked up.

"Don't- ugh. You're not going to listen to me are you?" and he shakes his head in response. "Fine, it's your funeral" and she walks back into the house. He catches the bus and gets dropped off at the festival. After some searching, he finally finds Leon and Charlotte getting off of a ride and Leon sees him.

"What do you want?"

"Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Hm, why so formal?"

"Just cause."

"What's this about? I haven't seen you in months, I don't know where the fuck you went, and I thought you were dead, and all of a sudden, poof! There you are, what the fuck do you want with my life?"

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm clean."

"Huh?"

"I went to rehab and now I'm clean. For the first time in eight years I'm clean!"

"I'm still not convinced. Come talk to me when you're not fresh outta rehab. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm on a date. C'mon babe, let's go somewhere where there's no filth around."

"But- but-"

"I don't wanna hear it, by the way, we're thinking of relocating."

"Where?"

"Pfft. Like I'll tell you."

"C'mon man, your family is here, all your friends, c'mon Charlotte, you and Carmella used to be best friends growing up, Leon, What about Aaron? If I wasn't, he could be your brother, you guys are so tight."

"Get the fuck out of my face." And he and Charlotte turn their backs on him and walk away.

"Damn. I don't know what to say to convince these people that I've changed." Sydd says to himself, watching Leon and Charlotte walking in the distance. So he turns back, and visits Janis again.

"What??" She says.

"I just wanted to tell you that I love you, and that I'm not the same guy from last year, I promise, I'm completely clean, I've had a lot of time to think about everything, and I was such an asshole."

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