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“Oh no. What happened?”
He shrugged and spread his hands on the table, looking down at them – oil-stained and calloused, the hands of a hardworking man trying to make everything work out. “He can’t stay clean. He’s confrontational and angry with me. I’m not a mental health person, but I think he’s mad that I’m making it work and he can’t seem to. I’ve been trying to wait to have a conversation with him when he’s sober, but he is never sober. He’s either drunk or asleep.”
“How are you certain he wants you out?”
“He’s told me a few times now. The only reason I still have a place is because he passes out and forgets. But it’s not a good situation. I’ve got strong willpower, but this isn’t healthy. He brings up stuff from our past. Painful things. All with the booze right there on the table, mine for the taking if I just reach out.”
“I understand.” She clasped her fingers in his. “I’m sure this is an issue with parole.”
“It is. I called Rosie. If I can’t get an established address, they have to assign me to a halfway house. It could be across the state from here. It just depends on where a bed is.”
“They can’t just upend your life like this. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
He clenched his jaw and picked at a piece of the wicker on the table. “They can. I’m still a ward of the state until my date is up. And part of my stipulations is maintaining residence. Go figure.” He scoffed and smoothed his hand down the side of his face.
“What?”
“I’m doing the hardest stuff – not using, getting home at curfew. My life is gonna get fucked up because I can’t get along with my brother. That’s about how it goes. How it’s been my whole damn life.”
“I’m so sorry, Mikey. What are the requirements of a residence?” Haize considered him living with her. It would mean blowing their cover, but her love for him was so huge that she would risk it if it meant keeping him around. Halfway houses were bad business. If they sent him off, she figured she’d never see him again.
“Not sure. Rosie has to investigate. Make sure no other felons are living there. If she ever did a home visit at Mitch’s, I’m willing to bet she wouldn’t be okay with the arrangements.”
“But she approved the address before you got out.”
“She did,” Michael said with a nod. “But it’s all a dog and pony show. The place was probably clean and free of any alcohol and drugs. Mitch has gone off the deep end the past few weeks. He’s done this before, only I was off the deep end with him and never sat back and saw it from a sober perspective. I think this is the worst I’ve ever seen him. I’m worried about finding an address… but I’m more worried about him. He needs help but he just won’t take it. I know you can’t help someone until they’re ready, but it’s hard. Now that I’m sober, I hate that I ever put others through what I’m witnessing with my brother.”
“Live with me, Mikey.” She couldn’t believe she said it, but there was no taking the words back. “See if Rosie would be okay with it.”
His eyes met hers, and a small smile parted his lips. “You sure?”
“I’m sure. I can’t stomach the idea of you getting sent away. You know better than I do about those halfway houses. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about them.”
“I’m a sex addict. She might be against me living with a woman. She was worried that my sponsor is a woman.” He looked at the mountain range again. “And what about you being concerned about ethics?”
“You’re not my client, Mikey. It’s worth a shot. How much does Rosie know about your addictions? She’s not your counselor.”
“No, but my counselor reports to her.”
Haize sipped on her iced tea. “There’s a confidentiality clause that your counselor has to follow. They can’t tell her anything except that you’ve attended your appointments and there’s nothing psychologically alarming that the parole board needs to be aware of. She should not know specifics. Drug and alcohol addiction is one thing… but sex addiction is not as apparent.”
“She knows I’m a sex addict, but I’ve proven having a female sponsor hasn’t ruined me. As long as you’re sure, Haize. I don’t want you to feel pressured about any of this. I don’t want to put that on you.”
“I want you to try. It’s a hell of a lot better than your brother’s place or a halfway house. I don’t feel pressured. I promise.”
He slid his phone from his pocket. “I’ll get her on the phone right now. The sooner, the better.”
Haize wondered if she should give him some privacy, so she scooped up both of their glasses of tea and went to the kitchen to freshen them up. Pouring more tea, she felt the anxiety rush through her. She had no problem with Michael staying at her place, but things were going so fast. And what if his parole officer denied him? The house was quaint and clean. There was nothing shady happening. But it was the parole officer’s discretion. One thing out of place could turn them off… and her being a woman might be the one thing that could hinder the whole plan.
When she went back out to the patio, he was off the phone and staring at the screen. His body language was hard to read, and she scooted the fresh glass of tea in front of him. “What did she say?”
“She’s gonna come look around. She’s headed over right now.”
“Oh my gosh. I figured it’d take a few days.”
“She knows how crucial this is. Or she’s chomping at the bit to get me sent back and doesn’t want to wait any longer. I swear, she’s been looking for anything to revoke me, and this might just be the thing that makes it happen.”
“She can’t revoke you. You haven’t done anything, and you’ve been honest.”
