She didn't have to tell me that. I had the broken ribs to prove it.
Then what she said sunk in, and the aggravation I was feeling seconds before turned into full-blown pissed off.
"How the hell do you know Joel is getting impatient?"
Hannah was supposed to have limited contact to the outside world. Myself and our father were supposed to be the only people she was allowed to talk to. We paid heavily to make sure that was the case.
"He sent one of his guys to rehab to pass on the message." Terror laced her tone, and I could understand why. Rehab was supposed to be a safe place for her, and it obviously wasn't anymore.
That son of a bitch. I could kill him for what he was putting my family through even though a small part of me realized it was partially my sister's fault. If she hadn't started doing drugs in college, then we wouldn't be in this predicament to begin with.
"When was this?"
"An hour ago. He also said you should've gotten your own message last night. That's why I called. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
No, her first concern had been to save her own ass, but I didn't bother to mention it because it would only start an argument, and that wouldn't be good. An agitated Hannah would seek out drugs, and I could bet money on the fact that whoever Joel sent would also be trying to slip her some.
I made a mental note to contact the head nurse just as soon as I got off the phone with Hannah.
"What is the patient's name?"
I waited as Hannah rattled it off. I didn't recognize the person, but I didn't expect to. I wasn't familiar with anyone from her world these days. All of the friends that I used to know have since stopped talking to Hannah after she pissed them off in one way or another by either stealing from them or borrowing money and never returning it.
"Do me a favor and stay away from them," I pleaded with her.
"I'll do my best," Hannah whined, and I sighed.
It had only been three weeks since I placed Hannah in rehab for the fourth time, but I knew from her previous stays, that three weeks was nothing. If the chance presented itself for her to start using again, she absolutely would. It was a battle I feared I would never win.
We said our goodbyes, and I waited for Hannah to hang up before calling the facility back.
"Nurse Sarah, please," I asked the operator as soon as they answered the phone.
It was several moments before the nurse got on the phone. "Hey, Sarah. It's Vanessa Scarflo…" I then went on to explain the situation and gave her as much information as I could with the little that I knew. By the time I was done talking, I was out of breath, and my ribs ached.
"I'll make sure to let the staff know that they're to be kept apart."
I already knew there wasn't much else they could do even if I threw more money at them. It wasn't like they would kick someone out based solely on my recommendation, but at least I could say I tried to help my sister. That was the best I could do at the moment.
That was all I was ever doing for my sister. Cleaning up her messes and trying my best to stop new ones from happening.
I was failing, though. Hannah couldn't hold down a job to save her life. The trust fund that our parents put aside for her was blown partying. Mine was practically depleted from all the rehab stays I was paying for. If this time didn't work out, then I didn't know what I was going to do the next time she needed to go into one.
My father would help pay, but even he didn't have the capital to finance my sister and her lifestyle forever. I was at a loss and didn't know what to do anymore.
The tiny voice in the back of my head kept reminding me that I needed to let my sister hit rock bottom and to stop saving her, but I couldn't do that. My mother would be so disappointed in me.
CHAPTER NINE
Nolen
Well, it was safe to say Vanessa was in hiding once again. Only this time, I was one floor below her rather than on the outside looking in.
When it was clear she wasn't about to come out and eat dinner after missing lunch, I decided to take it upon myself to rummage through her fridge and see what I could make.
There weren’t many choices, and it had me wondering how the woman managed to survive for three weeks without leaving her house. I knew she had food delivered from the One Stop Shop. Ivan probably didn't do it for many people, but it would seem he made an exception for Vanessa because three times, while I was sitting outside, groceries were delivered by one of his workers. Not much though and based on the little food that was currently in the house, she was in desperate need of more.
I considered calling one of the guys to go over and do some shopping but quickly nixed the idea and instead decided to order from the Crazy Fox Diner.
