“I wasn’t actively trying to kill myself, no.”
“That doesn’t sound encouraging.”
“It wasn’t as bad as last time, I promise.”
A couple of years ago, he’d almost lost the battle. It took two doses of the opioid reversing drug naloxone to revive him. A stint in rehab followed and, as far as I’d known, he’d been clean ever since.
“I’m so sorry. I wish I was stronger. For you. For me. I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me. But, Breezie, mentally, I’m barely hanging on. I think I’m going to end up just as crazy as my mother. I can feel her disease growing inside me like a weed. It’s only a matter of time.”
The turmoil coursing through Mason could be felt across the divide. I knew well his fear of becoming like her, but if he continued down this path, that’s exactly where he’d end up.
“They wanted to send me to a rehab facility straight from the hospital but there were no open beds. So I checked myself out yesterday.”
“Oh, Mason.”
“I know. Rehab’s still in the works. I’ll get help.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come.”
“You were dealing with your own stuff. Besides, I didn’t want my drug habit to ruin your chance with Bodhi. That’s how badly I want a ticket.”
I gave him the required chuckle but was still worried sick. “You know I would have dropped everything for you?”
“I know, and that’s why I wanted you to stay put and focus on yourself. If there’s anyone who deserves love, it’s you.”
No,hedeserved it—the little boy who craved affection, but never got any. If only Mason could find the peace that had always been lacking in his life. “I can’t let you be home alone after an overdose.”
“I’m not home alone. I have a caretaker.”
Aside from me, Mason rarely had people over to his apartment. He was weird about stuff like that. “You do? Who?”
“Curtis.”
“Curtis? As in ‘pees sitting down’, Curtis?”
“Yes, Breeze, one and the same. He was in Vegas too. He’s the one who called the ambulance. He stayed at the hospital with me. Curtis has experience dealing with people like me.”
“You mean hot guys with mommy issues?”
Mason laughed and the sound was like music to my ears. “No, withdrawing drug addicts. Listen, can you do me a favor?”
“Yes, anything.”
“Pull up those big girl panties of yours, and go tell Bodhi how you feel.”
“I don’t know. I feel like I need to come to you.”
“No…you need to stay where you are or I’ll never speak to you again.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Curtis has this covered.”
“All right then. When I get back, we’ll figure everything out. You’re going to be okay, Mace. I promise. Love you.”
“Love you too, Breeze. And don’t forget about those backstage passes.”
* * *
