“Is there a way to negotiate?” she suggested. “How about another two weeks treatment? Although, if you feel you’re ready to come home on the 22nd like originally planned, then you’re ready. You have excellent instincts, love. Don’t let anyone shake you.”
“I think the doctors were expecting Darren to vouch for me when he came to visit, and when he didn’t, it threw some red flags up for them.”
“Can I do something to help?” she asked. “I mean, I would never force myself into your private life, Joey love. You’re a brilliant, capable young man, and I respect that you aren’t a child. That’s not the kind of relationship I want us to have, but if you need me to step in at any time on your behalf, then I am willing and ready to go to bat for you.”
“You could vouch for me?” I said and then exhaled a shaky breath before admitting, “Because I could really use your help.”
MEET THE PARENTS… KIND OF
JOEY
Like a flurry of unrestrained blonde energy, Edel Kavanagh strutted into the room the morning after our phone call, reminding me of a glammed-up version of Sarah Connor from The Terminator.
Flanking her in his usual attire, which consisted of a top end, tailored suit, with an amused expression etched on his face, and a briefcase in hand, was John Sr.
“Joey,” Edel exclaimed when she spotted me leaning over the windowsill, thoroughly enjoying the cigarette I’d managed to snag from one the security guards I’d become friendly with after giving him a hand to change a flat, while trying not to set off the smoke alarm.
As soon as her eyes landed on me, the hard expression she’d been wearing melted away. “Oh love, would you look at you.” Shaking her head, she smiled widely, as she rushed towards me. “Look at him, John. Isn’t he only handsome?”
“Sweetheart, we’ve talked about this,” John tried to interject, but she was already up in my personal space with her arms wrapped tightly around me.
“I ah…” Feeling awkward, I quickly tossed the butt out the window patted her back, mentally counting down from five before escaping from her stranglehold. “When I said I could use your help, I didn’t mean you had to drive halfway across the country to see me.”
“Excuse me,” one of the porters rushed into my room, all red-faced and flushed. “All visitors need to report to reception. And like I told you already, lady, patients are forbidden to have guests in their room.“
“Ah, would you cool your jets, detective inspector,” Edel drawled sarcastically, dismissing him with a flick of her wrist. “Do I look like I’m smuggling contraband up my backside?”
“Edel,” John said wearily.
“Now.” Turning her attention back to me, she reached up and pushed my hair off my face and smiled. “Let’s go, love.”
“Go where?”
“To sort this mess out.”
“As you’re well aware, my husband and I have been awarded guardianship of the Lynch children,” Edel declared a little while later, as she paced the visitors’ room, while John looked on from his perch on the leather couch with his usual amused expression. Sitting beside him was a stressed looking Darren. “If Joey was under eighteen, then he would be legally under our care, too.” She turned to stare at Dr. B. “However, I consider age to be just a number, doctor. That boy belongs with us. He has a home with our family – his family – for the rest of his life. If you have concerns about his ability to cope after leaving treatment, then be rest assured that he will have the world of support at his fingertips.”
“His brother has voiced some concerns about the pressures he feels Joey will be exposed to upon discharge.”
“My brother’s a dick,” I sneered, glaring across the room at enemy number one.
Darren sighed heavily. “Joey.”
“What?” I shrugged unapologetically. “You are.”
“I’m not doing any of this to hurt you,” my brother was quick to defend. “I’m trying to protect your sobriety, Joe.”
“It’s not yours to protect,” I snapped. “It’s mine, Darren. Staying clean is my responsibility. Looking after myself is my goddamn responsibility, not yours, and no offense, but I’ve been doing it for long enough without ya.”
“Yeah,” he muttered, rubbing his jaw. “And look where being left to your own devices got you.”
I narrowed my eyes in disgust. “It’s a good thing I’m reformed, because that snide comment deserves a smack in the mouth.”
“Okay, everyone,” Dr. B interjected. “Let’s just take a breather, shall we?”
“If he wants to come home with us, then I really don’t see why you would want to stop him – or how, for that matter,” Edel interjected hotly.
Everyone started speaking over each other then.
The doctors.
The therapists.
The social workers.
The bulldozing blonde.
My brother.
“All I’m trying to do is protect him,” Darren exclaimed, throwing his hands up in defeat. “That’s it.”
“Nobody is questioning your intentions, Darren.”
“I am.” I held a hand up and waved it around. “I’m questioning his intentions.”
“Darren is concerned that without schooling or college to focus on, Joey will fall back into old patterns,” another member of my team offered, turning to the Kavanaghs. “He’s also worried that Aoife belongs to the same friendship circle where Joey was exposed to substance abuse in the first place.”
“Well, I don’t believe that for a second,” Edel was quick to defend. “And if you met the girl, you’d wholeheartedly agree with me.”
“She was never a part of the problem,” I repeated for what felt like the millionth time. “She was never a part of the drug scene. I’ve told you this.”
“Not to mention the pressure of a newborn baby,” Greg, my turncoat counsellor chimed in. “It’s a lot to put on his shoulders.”
“And what about her shoulders?” I demanded, glaring at him. “Aoife’s fucking shoulders? She’s the one at home having to deal with all of this on her own. Have you thought about that?”
“Our job is to consider your welfare.”
“And my job is to consider hers!”
“Aoife has her family to look after her, Joey,” I heard Darren say. “Why can’t you let yours look after you?”
“Because she is my family, Darren!” I roared, losing my cool. “How do you not get that? You’re a smart fella Christ, you have a fancy education and a shiny college degree under your belt, so how can you be so fucking dense?”
“Joe —”
“How can you not see that what you’re doing here is wrong?”
“Joey, please calm down.”
Like hell I was calming down.
“You know I’d be dead without her, right?” I declared hoarsely. “This entire conversation wouldn’t be happening because I wouldn’t be here to argue about if it wasn’t for Aoife Molloy.”
“Jesus.” My brother winced like my words caused him physical pain. “Don’t say that, Joe.”