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“Somewhere safe,” Brandon answered calmly. “I had… an episode.”
Silence reigned. For a long moment, the only indication of the passage of time was the twinkling of Christmas lights.
“I got tempted,” Brandon admitted over the phone. “I almost used. But then I thought about Danielle, and what that meant for her… and for us. And so I didn’t.”
“So you didn’t do anything?” Kade asked.
“No,” his brother replied. “For once I backed away. I thought about all of you, and how much you’ve done for me. How much you’ve been there for me, through the good and bad.”
Kade looked up at us, his eyes searching for our opinion. Brandon sounded coherent, sober, totally in control. One by one we nodded at him.
“Where are you now?” Kade asked.
“I left everything there at the house,” Brandon answered, “and I took an Uber. I’m at Crystal Bay. I’m checking myself in, and I feel good about it.”
The expression on Kade’s face changed to one of relief, even admiration. He looked to Danielle, who was smiling through her tears.
“I’ve never checked myself in before,” Brandon went on, “so it feels weird.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “You’ve always sort of dragged me here. But this time around, it also feels different. I’m happy to do this, finally. It feels like I’m ready.”
“You’re also past the worst of it,” Kade pointed out. “Which is big.”
“That part’s true too,” said Brandon. “And the counselors here are excited about that. I’m already off the drugs, and I don’t want anything but their advice and guidance. I’m checking in for thirty days. If I need sixty, I’ll do that too. But for now—”
“Baby I love you,” Danielle sobbed.
“I love you too,” Brandon said, his voice choked up. “And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye. But I wanted to do this before I changed my mind, before anything else happened. I need to get well for you. Forus. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she cried, still smiling. The tears were falling now, and they were making me cry too. “Of course I understand.”
“Weallunderstand,” said Brock. “You know that right?”
“Yes,” Brandon answered. “I do.”
“Knock em’ dead kid,” said Valerio. “We’re proud of you. A month, two months — it’ll be over in a snap.”
“I know.”
“And when we get you back,” Valerio continued, “you’ll be better than ever.”
I felt a surge of happiness as I saw Kade’s eyes go glassy. I could tell he was never more proud of his brother than he was right now.
“Okay, they’re almost done checking me in,” said Brandon. “A couple of the good people here want to talk to you first, but before that could you give Danielle and I a minute?”
“Sure thing man,” Kade said, clearing his throat. “Be good. Stay safe.”
“You too man,” Brandon answered. “And sorry to fuck up the New Year for everyone.”
Kade picked up the phone and slowly handed it over to Danielle. Before he did, he leaned into the phone’s mic.
“You didn’t fuck it up, bro,” he whispered thickly. “Youmadeit.”
Forty-Six
SLOANE
“You can come in now, Sloane. We’re ready for you.”
It was only three days into the new year before I finally got the call from the foundry. I’d been suspended for weeks. Probably fired. Especially since they were asking me to come in, to meet withbothowners.
