“Yeah,” he says. “They are. I’ve been seeing a therapist two to three times a week and doing group therapy as well. It’s been… weird. But I don’t want to keep ruining my life, I don’t want to ruin your lives either.”
“You could never, honey.” My mother leans over to kiss his temple. “We just want you to get better. That’s all. We want you to be happy.”
Finn’s eyes lower as he places the mug back down, and his elbows rest on his knees. “I think I’ve been really unhappy for a while. I was just… in denial about my addiction.”
“We’re so proud of you,” our mother says.
Finn laughs awkwardly. “It’s only been three weeks.”
“Three weeks are better than nothing, son,” my father pitches in. “Three weeks of progress.”
“It’s only a short-term program.” Finn shrugs.
“But you’ll be able to have all the resources when you come home,” I say, and he glances at me. “You now have three weeks of knowledge. That’s a lot.”
Finn nods once. “Yeah, I guess.”
We change the subject after the doctor told us not to focus too much on his treatment plan and to catch up on other things instead. We don’t stay for long as they have group activitiesplanned for the afternoon, and none of us wants to disrupt his schedule.
My parents hug Finn goodbye, and when they walk around me, Finn stares back with glassy green eyes. “It was good to see you, Ivy.” He sighs despondently, his fingers twitching as if he wants to hug me.
“You too,” I whisper.
He tucks his fingers into his back pocket before I have the chance to turn around. “I’ve written you something.”
My brows crease as I glance at the folded piece of paper outstretched to me. “Why?”
“My therapist said that if I’m not good with my words, then I should write them down. And we’re working together to fix the things I’ve broken. You don’t have to read it, if you rip it up, then that’s fair enough.” He swipes a hand through his hair. “I don’t think I can physically put together the words of how sorry I am for hurting you, because what I did is inexcusable. But this is all I can do, and I hope you can take two minutes of your time to read it. Even if I don’t deserve it.”
A ball forms in my throat as I look at the letter again. I raise a hand to take it, and Finn releases a low breath of relief.
“Okay,” I say, despite my voice cracking.
Finn’s eyes wobble a little as we stare back at each other. “Can I hug you?” he chokes out as a tear rolls down his face. “Please, I just really need to hug my sister right now.”
My chest concaves at the vulnerability in his expression. I step forward and open my arms as he crashes his body into mine, burying his head into the crook of my neck as he sobs.
I squeeze my eyes shut, tears rolling down my cheeks. I hold onto him, my fingers fisting into the back of his shirt, his letter tightly between my fingers. He takes a shuddering breath, relaxing into me as we embrace each other.
After a few moments, we pull away, and I wipe my cheeks. “Uh.” I clear my throat. “JJ wanted me to tell you something.”
“Yeah?”
“JJ’s mum’s treatment is working, and it’s looking positive.”
Finn’s face lights up with excitement and relief all rolled into one. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah,” I sniffle through a smile.
“Oh my god.” He grins. “That’s fucking great.”
My arms fold over myself as I tuck the letter into the crook of my elbow. “He wanted to tell you when he came home, but he couldn’t wait.”
“I’m so happy for them.” His shoulders relax an inch. “Can you tell him that I can’t wait to see him? I owe him a lot.”
“Of course.”
My eyes settle on my brother’s as we stare at one another
