Twist of Fate

A Downward Spiral

The next day Bridget woke up to the smell of bacon. She wandered out of her bedroom and found her husband standing in the kitchen making breakfast. "Good morning baby, sit down and I'll make you a plate." Bridget sat on a barstool as Dallas slid a plate in front of her. She smiled and picked up the bacon, taking a bite. Dallas grabbed himself a plate and sat beside her. "I've been thinking..." she stopped chewing and stared at him, he continued "well, I think I can handle drinking every once in awhile. I just have to limit myself and stay away from the liquor. But beer, 6 beers every once in a while isnt gonna hurt." Bridget already knew, there was no sense in fighting it, because if she fought it he would just hide it. Her best bet was to agree and just try to keep him in check. She forced a smile across her lips, "if you say so darlin." He sneered at her, "I know you don't believe me that I can handle this..." she cut him off mid sentence, "youre right, I don't. You've proven time and time again that you cannot handle it. Youre going to spiral and I am tired of having to spiral with you. The kids are tired of it. They just want you to be sober and attentive." He continued, "I can f*****g handle this. I said I can. I am in control. You're not controlling me anymore." Bridget sighed and stood up. "I am not trying to control you. I'm trying to save you from yourself. You're your own worst enemy darling, I love you. I just don't want to see you slip." He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close. "Baby, trust me. I will not slip. If you see me slipping, make me stop." Bridget sighed, "but you never stop when I say anything, you just get angry. I love sober you. Caring you. Loving you. Attentive you... i dont want to lose that version of you again." Dallas kissed her forehead "Baby, you won't. I promise."

Over the next week or so Dallas stuck to his word. Occasionally he stopped after work and bought only a 6 pack drank them and went to sleep. It stayed peaceful. Bridget almost started to believe that he could keep it under control. The real test would be over the weekend, when he worked he pretty much HAD to keel it together, because he had to be up early the next day. The weekends were always the struggle. Too much free time always seemed to lead him on a path of self destruction.

Saturday morning Bridget got up and started getting ready for work. Dallas was waiting in the kitchen with her coffee and as she took her cup from him he said, "The neighbor text. He asked if we wanted to do another cook out tonight." Bridget shook her head, "Not tonight. I promised the kids we could have family time, maybe watch a movie, play a game, but something where it is just us." Dallas groaned "Alright, family time it is."