Negative Positives

6: Time to Grow Up

Damien

Tuesday, February 6th, 2024

3 days sober

Jason's couch wasn't very comfortable but it was better than my truck. I had a sore neck from the awkward angle I'd slept on so I got up early and cooked breakfast for Jason and Steph as a gesture of thanks.

They said I could only stay a few days, so I really needed to get my s**t together and find somewhere to go.

Jason is a guy I'd met at the gym back when I used to work out. My job had gotten so busy I hadn't had time to go anymore, but me and him had remained friends, though we hadn't caught up in a while.

Steph is a good listener too. She sympathises with my situation but doesn't have any advice. She promised to ask around for rental properties though.

Once Jason and Steph leave for work, I clean up the kitchen and walk their dog, Charlie. He's a Dachshund and his tiny legs meant that we don't walk very fast.

I phone my mum while we head for the small park three blocks away. I need some advice.

"Hello?" Oh, that voice was home to my heart.

"Hey, Mama Bear."

"Damien! To what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice?"

"Bad decisions, Ma."

"How rude!" My mum sounded indignant. I laugh.

"No, Mum, I don't mean phoning you was a bad decision. Those happened on Saturday, the last several Saturdays actually."

"Oh Baby, tell me all about it. Mama can make it all better."

I let it all spill out, baring my sins before her. She takes it all in with hums of acknowledgement and sympathy. It isn't until I got to the part about Kelly that she finally speaks. Her angry string of expletives are tame compared to my truck-driver vocabulary, but Anita Tawhare never swears so they sound especially harsh in her voice.

"Boy, you have two options. Either you move down here and let Mama Bear take care of you, or you grow the f**k up"

Wow! Mama dropped the F-bomb.

"Mum!" I exclaim.

"Sorry, Baby, but it's tough love. You can't fall victim to your vices anymore. You have to take life by the horns. How long have you been sober?"

"Three days."

"Good! That's the the first step. Now you're going to get control of your life by the power of three. Step one is three days, step two is three weeks. When you reach that goal, you make the next one three months. As for everything else, you do the same. Set three goals. Make three decisions toward how you want your life to look. Take three actions. Then you ring your Mama Bear every three days with an update. You understand?"

"Yes, Mum."

"Good boy. I love you, Damien. I believe in you."

"Thanks, Mum. I love you too. I feel better already."

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I did feel better, but now I also felt homesick.

"Come on, Charlie, let's head back before the footpath heats up too much."