Chapter 43

“Empty your pockets, all of them.” Greg said, his voice commanding.

Patrick turned out his pockets and a plastic bag containing at least two hundred dollars of crack fell out along with a small glass pipe.

“With your permission, I’m confiscating these drugs and the pipe. I’m also going to recommend to both you and John that you go back to rehab. Perhaps now with an underlying diagnosis they can help you truly kick your habit.”

Patrick began to sob uncontrollably. “John is going to leave me.”

“I can’t speak for John, but you have to do this for yourself before you’re out on the streets. This is a very heavy habit. You started up again as soon as you left rehab, didn’t you?” Greg looked Patrick in the eye until Patrick turned away.

“Yes, I resented John for making me go.” Patrick’s knee was bouncing up and down underneath the table.

“Do you really want to stop using?” Greg put down his pen and waited for Patrick to answer him.