“No problem,” Jason managed. He glanced at the woman, who’d taken a seat next to Ted. She had red hair and a smattering of freckles on her face. He would have guessed her to be in her mid-to late thirties. She smiled at him, and her eyes were kind. Jason returned the gesture.
“I’m Ashley Sullivan. We haven’t met, but I pass by about five of your billboards on my way to work every morning.”
“Like seeing an old friend, huh?” Jason asked, surprising himself at how easy the old retort had come back to him. How many times had he heard that same comment from opposing counsel, court reporters, and even judges over the years?
She laughed, and even tight old Ted Raleigh managed a grin.
Jason gave a half-hearted chuckle. “Where’s Tony?” he asked, hoping that his old classmate would be present.
“He’s giving a CLE on ethics in Huntsville,” Ted said. “I’m sure he would’ve wanted to be here, but, like I said, you didn’t give any of us much notice.”
“No, I guess I didn’t,” Jason said. He took the piece of paper he’d brought with him and slid it down the table. “Well, there it is. Ninety days. I’m a new man. Clean and sober. Ready to tackle the world.”
Ashley retrieved the certificate, eyeballed it, and peered at Jason. “The Perdido Addiction Center was a good choice.”
“Changed my life,” Jason lied.
“Did it?” she asked.
Before Jason could respond, Ted grabbed the certificate and stood up. “Jason, I’m going to leave things with Ashley. I’ll make a copy of this for our files, and you can pick it up at the front desk when you leave. We have already received your payment of the fine.” He paused, and Jason saw a gleam of pleasure in the executive’s eyes. “Your public reprimand will be at the bar’s next meeting on August 24 at nine a.m.”
“Good,” Jason said. “And that’ll be it, right? The bar will unhook the leash.”
“Not exactly. I’ll let Ashley fill you in on the rest.”
Once Ted closed the door, an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room. When Ashley had done nothing to break the quiet, Jason finally couldn’t stand it. “All right, what now? Do we hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya’？”
“I’m waiting for you to answer my question,” Ashley said. When Jason raised his eyebrows, she leaned her elbows on the table and squinted at him. “Did ninety days at the PAC really change your life?”
Jason cocked his head at her use of the acronym. “You seem awful familiar with—”
“Five years ago,” she interrupted, “I was there one hundred twenty days. One more month than you. Since then, I’ve been in the Lawyer Assistance Program. Last year, Ted made me the president.”
“Did you get a cool trophy too?”
“Every day is a challenge when you’re an addict,” she said, ignoring his dig. “Treatment isn’t a quick fix. Do you understand?”
He had heard Michal say the same thing on numerous occasions. “Yes.”
“Good. Now, what’s your plan for ongoing treatment?”
Jason thought back to the discharge instructions he’d been given by Michal. She would continue to provide telephone consultations until he could find a suitable local therapist. It was also recommended that he join a weekly AA group.
Jason cleared his throat and conveyed all this information to Ashley, who frowned.
“Same as me,” she said. “The PAC is great—don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t be where I am without what they did for me. But rehab, regardless of the place, is only the beginning. Eventually, you come down from the mountaintop. You forget about the benefits of sobriety and want a drink. Have you thought about having one yet?”
“I drove straight to the Flora-Bama after discharge and stared at a Corona for thirty minutes.” He paused, surprised at how easy it was to confess the truth. “I didn’t drink it.”
“Good,” she said. “But when will the next temptation come, Jason?” she asked, her voice lower. “Before your first deposition? Court date? Mediation?”
Jason looked down at the table.
“The Lawyer Assistance Program provides a road map for continued sobriety.”
Jason glanced up at her.
“Sounds like complete bullshit, doesn’t it?” she asked, smirking. Jason couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes.”
“That’s because it is. There’s no road map. No secret sauce. Every day is going to be challenging.”