Chapter 37 Austin - Wake Up Call
Chapter 37
Austin - Wake Up Call
S itting in a jail cell woke me up. I needed help. I didn’t want to end up in prison because I drank. But alcohol helped keep my demons away. How would I cope without it?
I sat in a holding cell with four other defendants. No one spoke. No one made eye contact. No one wanted to be in the world’s worst waiting room. We all waited impatiently for our paperwork to post bond.
I didn’t have time to talk with Sydney when they arrested me. I saw her sitting in the courtroom during my arraignment, and I hoped she would arrange for my release. Her resting bitch face didn’t give me a clue as to whether she would be angry with me or be the support I needed in this moment. My lawyer advised me that going to rehab would help my case when my court date arrived. That wouldn’t be the only benefit. Being sober should help me stay out of trouble.
An officer appeared in front of the cell with a piece of paper and a set of keys. His baritone voice echoed against the concrete. “The following individuals have posted their ‘get out of jail free’ card: Jerome Brown, Austin Mitchell, and Mark Smith.” His keys jiggled as he turned them in the lock. He opened the door, and we filed out into the hallway. The officer led us up the stairs and into the lobby. “You can pick up your belongings at the desk next to the entrance.”
I collected my wallet and phone. Sydney wasn’t in the lobby. I pushed open the front door and stepped into the blinding sunlight. I shielded my eyes with my hand to see better. There she was, on a bench at the bottom of the stairs, talking on her phone. Her free hand waved sharply in the air, and I waited until she finished her call.
I pointed my face towards the sun. The warmth seeped into my skin, and I savored the moment. My uncertain future scared me. I waved towards Sydney then took the stairs down to meet her.
“You looking for a ride?” She stood up and started walking. I followed.
At that moment, I realized how much I owed Sydney. If she hadn’t been home when the cops came, I’d probably still be waiting for my one phone call. I tried to think of anyone else who would have done that for me. Danny would have held it over my head as a big joke, and I couldn’t bring myself to call my momma. Not when I knew she would be disappointed in me, especially after her warning.
In the parking garage, Sydney fished in her purse in front of the payment kiosk. I snatched the ticket from her hand and pulled out my wallet to pay for the parking. She stepped over to the elevator and pushed the button. I didn’t know what to say, and I kept quiet.
We rode the elevator to the seventh floor. It smelled like gasoline, oil, and tires. I normally loved the scents of automobiles, but today it made me a little nauseous. It didn’t help that I hadn’t had anything to eat all day, and my broken arm throbbed. I made a mental note to take some pain medication when we got home. After she deposited our paid ticket in the meter, I spoke up. “Would it be possible for you to stop in a drive-thru on our way home? My treat. I haven’t eaten all day and I’m guessing you haven’t either.”
She nodded. “No, I have not. I had other concerns on my mind. I could eat. How about Del Taco?”
“My mouth is already watering.” I kept waiting for her to scold me about the events of the day, but she didn’t mention it. Normally, she got angry and self-righteous when she thought I was being an asshole. This change in behavior terrified me.
I couldn’t help myself. “Don’t you want to talk about what happened today? ”
She glanced at me, then back at the road. “Honestly, no. I’m maxed-out on drama. Aren’t you? I don’t want anything I say to come back to bite me later.”
“I was waiting for the fireworks. I’m not used to cool and collected Sydney.”
“Don’t get used to it. That’s all I can say.”
“Duly noted.”
“I want to let you know Venus emailed me a short list of rehab facilities. Based on what the judge said, I would make that my number one priority. I won’t say anything else about that.”
When we got home, I spread out our feast on the coffee table and grabbed cans of Mt. Dew from the fridge. Sydney took Samson for a short walk. I sat on the couch and waited patiently. My stomach howled in protest while I waited for her.
When they came back, she washed her hands and put down wet food for Samson. We ate while watching some stupid movie I barely registered. Sydney fell asleep almost immediately. I briefly thought about carrying her to her bed, but I didn’t think I could. Broken arm and all that. Instead, I pulled her legs onto the couch and covered her with a blanket. Samson curled up behind her legs and rested his head on her thigh.
I retreated to my room. My boots and jeans landed haphazardly next to my unmade bed. I turned on my stereo and stretched out on my back. Sydney went above and beyond to help me today. A steak dinner wouldn’t even come close to repaying her for her kindness. But it would be a start.