Still Using

This is for Belle's: The Conviction [an unofficial challenge] June 2024 Write a story that includes, at some point, the sentence, "I did what I had to do."

"Hey, Mom."

"Eddie! Oh, Honey, I am so relieved to hear from you! It's been so long."

"Not that long."

"Eighteen months."

"Nah, it's not been that long, Mom."

"I have been so worried not hearing from you all this time."

"I called."

"You did? When? I never got any messages."

"I don't know, what difference does it make?"

He sounds so anxious. He's still using.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter; I was just worried."

"And now you're not, right? We're talking now, and there's nothing to worry about!"

"So, how are things? Are you working? Where are you living?"

"Uh…yeah, I'm working."

"That's wonderful; where, what are you doing?"

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Okay. Do you want to come for dinner?"

"No, it takes me at least an hour and a half to drive to your place with all the traffic. It costs too much in gas."

"Well, I'll give ya a twenty for the gas. Come for dinner!"

"Ma, I don't want to come for dinner. Anyway, it's too far to drive on an outstanding warrant."

"An outstanding warrant! For what?"

"Doesn't matter."

"What is it for?"

“Oh, for crissakes, Ma. I didn't appear for a speeding ticket."

"Why would there be a warrant for that?"

"I was doing ninety-five in a sixty-five. The ticket required me to come to court before the judge because my speed was so excessive. I didn't go and didn't pay the ticket. It was seven hundred fifty dollars!"

"Eddie, you have to stop this crap. Are you driving on a suspended license?"

"Oh, here we go. I KNEW it. THAT is why I haven't called ya. 'Cause every time I call, I get the third degree. I need three hundred dollars to pay my utility bill. They will cut off the lights if I don't pay it."

"Three hundred! Haven't you paid it in a while?"

"Will you give it to me or not?"

"Give me the utility company's name and your account number, and I will pay it directly to them."

"You are such a bitch! Just give me the money, will ya?"

"I said I would pay the bill for you."

"I want to pay it, so give me the money. You don't trust me."

"Should I trust you, Eddie?"

"Every time I ask you for anything, especially money, you say no. I hate you!"

"I love you." Oh, he hung up, and it was a blocked number.

Well, I did what I had to do.

#addicted #toughlove