Page 109 of Imperfect Player

So I keep reaching out, letting him know that I’m there.

As much as I want to be there for him, I need to take care of my own life too. Especially since he doesn’t seem to want to get help.

I may not know much about addiction, but I do know that until the person wants to help themselves, there isn’t a whole lot you can do. I was willing to let things go back to normal even though I’m not exactly sure it’s the right thing to do.

“Earth to Everly.

“Sorry,” I tell Chelle. “What did you say?”

Chelle shakes her head. “As much as I appreciate the interest, something is clearly going on with you. Spill.”

“It’s Ethan.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Sort of. I’ve learned some things about Ethan.”

“What kind of things?”

“Things about his past. Things about now. He’s drinking. A lot.”

Something tells me this isn’t the first issue he’s had with it. Before, he didn’t have anyone. Now, he has me. If only I knew what to do to help him.

“Like needs AA a lot?”

“Like needs a full-blown rehab program a lot.”

“What are you going to do?”

Initially, I wanted to run out and get him help, but I opted to get information first.

“I’ve been gathering information, trying to figure out the best course of action.”

“I feel like there’s a but coming on.”

“But the general consensus seems to be if he doesn’t want to get help, any help I try to get him won’t work. Basically, he has to want to stop. First step is admitting you have a problem and all that.”

“I’m so sorry, honey. How are you?”

I shrug, unsure how I’m feeling or even what I’m thinking.

“What’s worse is . . . since all this happened, I haven’t heard from him. He won’t answer my calls. He’s basically ghosted me.”

“Maybe he’s embarrassed?”

“He doesn’t feel like he’s good enough. He doesn’t think he deserves me.”

“Does he?”

My defenses go up against the one person that they shouldn’t. “Just because he’s an alcoholic—”

“No. Not because of that. Because you said you learned things and I don’t know what those things are. I don’t know if this guy who’s ghosting you when all you want to do is love him is actually worth it.”

“He is. I promise. And it’s not like he did anything bad, he just . . . His childhood was hard and recently it’s kind of come rearing its ugly head.”

“Hence the drinking?”

I nod.

---