Overcoming The Lie

Chapter 8

***

Mark woke up a few hours later just as a bucket of cold water splashed over him.

"What the hell was that for, man?!"

"You deserve so much worse. This bucket of water should be the least of your worries. Mark, you are lucky I don't kick your ass, and I still might. I know you are hurting but drinking yourself into oblivion is not the answer."

"This is all a little overwhelming is all. I don't usually get that drunk, I'm not sure what came over me. But I swear, I don't have a drinking problem, and I do not need a meeting. I just needed a drink to help with my hangover."

"You are worse than I thought. One or two drinks might help a hangover, but not half a bottle. You are right about one thing though; a meeting is not what you need."

"Thank you."

"You need something much stricter and more regimented than a meeting. Mark, I want you to check yourself into a rehab center for 30 days. It may seem like a long time, but you need to take care of yourself."

"Adam, I can't just leave my practice and all of my patients with no notice. And I refuse to be away from Marli. She is about to go through a very intense round of chemo, and I have to be there for her. So just back off."

"No, I don't accept that. You can transfer your patients over to other doctors in the area, or to Addison. And Marli will get through this just like all the other rounds, plus I will make sure she visits when she can. You mean the world to her, and she deserves to have sober Mark, the brother who loves her and will do anything to make sure she is taken care of. And that person does not exist attached to a whisky bottle. So, don't do this for you, or for me. Do this for her, for your sister."

"Fine. Using Marli against me is low, but fine. I see your point. I don't agree with you, but I will still do anything for Marli. We at least need to stop by the office so I can call my patients and talk to Marli. Let's meet back here tomorrow morning."

"I'm sorry, Mark but again, no. I can't particularly trust you alone. So, let's do this: I will drive us both to my house, pick up Caydence, then we can all go to the hospital where you can deal with your patients and Marli. Meanwhile, I will look for the best rehab centers in the area."

"Ugh, you really are making this so much bigger than it is. But whatever, let's go." After picking up Caydence and going to the hospital, Adam left Mark in his office and went over to visit Marli.

"Hey honey, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm ok, nervous. But I don't want to talk about me. What happened last night with Addison?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well she came into the clinic early this morning acting all strange. She said she had to head out of town and that she would check in on me throughout my treatment. Did something happen at dinner?"

"No, dinner was great. She is a natural with Caydence, and we stayed up most of the night just talking about life."

"Well when did she leave then? And where did she go?"

"Marli, those answers will have to come from her. But I do need to tell you something else. Mark got himself into some trouble and he is here to talk to you. He will explain everything, I promise."

"I am so confused, Adam. Why can't you tell me what's going on?"

"It is not my story to tell. Honey, I love you so much, you know that. But there are some things that I cannot be the one to tell you. Please trust me about this."