Page 105 of Back to Willow

Still, it was too late.

Addiction is like a bottomless pit, where no matter how much you feed it to try and fill it, it’s never satisfied. It’s a sick disease that only takes. And it takes, not only from the person who has it but everyone else around them, too.

And my brother was so deep into his drug addiction that my offer of a place to live for free in a new city with new opportunities wasn’t as alluring as offering him a line. He barely talked to me or even looked me in the eye the last time I saw him.

And it broke my heart, too, to think that he was so hopeless and misguided to turn to this as his only way out. My parents and I had failed him, and by then, if he didn’t want help, there was nothing I could do. Or so I tell myself.

And that’s why I wonder what his reason to be back is. What happened? Has he reached that low that he finally woke up? Or is he just pretending to get money?

“Is he hogging you guys for money?” I blurt out.

There’s got to be something to it.

“Liam!” Her tone is harsh. “He says he’s clean and yet, just to prove it, he’s wanting to do a second month of rehab. It will be good to cement his improvement.”

I keep quiet because her words surprise me. Has he finally realised he needs help?

“He wants to make amends with all of us.”

This is all too sudden.

They never got along. My parent’s pressure and unrealistic expectations suffocated Mason into rebellion, into bad company and bad decisions. And now, they’re all turning a blind eye to all of these years of hurt and pretending like nothing happened? Like they aren’t part of the problem?

They made Mason find a job to survive, couch-surf acquaintances, and take drugs to forget. He stole, disappeared, and never looked back. My parents never looked for him either.

Where is all of this coming from?

“Are you sure?” I ask after a while.

“Yes.” She doesn’t hesitate in answering. “He’s put on weight, he has clear skin, and he’s sober. He looks so good, Liam, and he regrets all he’s put us through.”

Her words make me sigh, partially in relief that he is in fact alright. The other half, though, is still quite reluctant.

But he’s my brother anyway; I’ll have to forgive him someday. And if he’s trying, then I am willing to give him a chance.

“I’m glad, then. I hope he stays on track,” I answer.

“We’re going to visit you soon,” my mum coos. “Mason wants to see you. And we miss you so much. You never visit anymore.”

I barely do, ever since I moved here. Of course, this is the perfect excuse for them to come here without me being able to tell them I’m busy.

“Mum, I’ll be pretty much swamped until after Christmas…” There’s no harm in trying. Right? “Why don’t you come for New Year’s instead? It’s only a month away.”

“If you insist,” she whines. “I’d rather go for Christmas, but there’s no point in being there if you are working. I want us to have some family time. We haven’t had it in so, so long.”

No shit.

The mention of family time automatically reminds me of Willow and Dylan. Willow and Dylan. Shit. My parents will not take this well; I know it.

Maybe I should tell them right away?

“Mum…” I trail off. “There’s someone tha—”

"Oh, my!” she cuts me off. “You finally got yourself a girlfriend? It’s about time!” I can hear the excitement in her voice. “Is she from your class? Who are her parents? Is she from a good family?”

“Mum,” I sigh. “Maybe we can arrange for you guys to meet them, someday. How’s that?”

“Yes! That’d be—wait a minute!” If this weren’t real life, I swear I could listen to the gears turning inside her brain. “Them?”

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