JOEY
RIDICULOUSLY NERVOUS, I dialed the number on the piece of paper in my hand and listened as it rang.
Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Hello?” The sound of her thick Dublin accent was momentarily foreign to my ears. After all, it had been a while since I had heard her.
“Edel?” I cleared my throat. “It’s ah, it’s Joey Lynch.”
“Joey!” she squealed – actually fucking squealed – down the line. “Oh love, it’s so good to hear your voice. How are you? Are you well? Are you eating? Have they been treating you kindly? How’s the detox going? Now, don’t you worry about a thing down here. The boys and Shannon are in safe hands. How are you fixed for underpants, pet? Do you have enough of them? And socks? I sent up more tracksuits, but it you need more, I can —”
“I’m grand,” I quickly said, preventing her from continuing her ramble. “I’m ah, I’m better than grand, actually.”
“Ah, love, that’s the best news I’ve heard all year.” Her tone was laced with affection and emotion. “John and I never doubted you for a second.”
Her response momentarily took me aback, and I had to compose myself before I could speak. “I just, ah, I finally earned phone privileges, and I, ah, I wanted to call to check in.”
“Well, I’m delighted to hear your voice,” she replied. “You sound so well in yourself, pet.”
“Yeah.” Feeling like a tool, I leaned against the phone attached to the wall of the day room and clenched my eyes shut, second guessing myself throughout the entire conversation. “I’m a lot more clear-headed these days.”
“Well, John and I have a big surprise for you when you get home next week.”
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Joey.” Her voice was laced with concern now. “You’re coming to live with us, and that’s final. I don’t want to hear a word of protest, and if you even think about going out on your own, I should warn you now that I have the nose of a bloodhound. You need only ask Johnny and Gerard. I will sniff you out and bring you home.”
“No, that’s not what I’m…” I paused, pinching the bridge of my nose as I tried to find the right words. “I don’t have any plans to go out on my own anytime soon.” Not that I could even if I wanted to. “I’m thankful for the roof over my head that you’re offering,” I added, chewing on my lip. “I don’t want to be separated from them.” The kids.
“You’ll never have to be,” she reassured me. “Once you’re home, love, you’ll stay home. With your family.”
“That’s the issue.” I bit down on my knuckle as a surge of anger welled up inside me. “Darren went behind my back and talked to my team.”
“Darren?” I could hear the surprise in her voice. “What did he say to them, love?”
“He discussed my treatment plan with them. Apparently, he’s listed as my next of kin—by the way, can you get that changed for me? It’s supposed to be Aoife.”
“Of course, I can. That makes sense.”
“Thanks. Anyway, they were talking, and now they want me to stay on in rehab.”
She was silent for a moment before asking, “And what do you think, Joey, love?”
“Honestly?”
“Always.”
“I’m ready to go home now, but the fact that the doctor is agreeing with Darren has me second-guessing myself.”
“In what way?”
“She hasn’t steered me wrong yet.” I anxiously chewed on my nails. “What if she’s right? What if I’m wrong? What if I screw this up?”
“How long are they asking you to stay?”
“I don’t know, Edel,” I forced myself to admit. “But I can’t do it. I can’t stay any longer than I already have. I can’t do that to Aoife. Not after everything I’ve put her through.”
“Is there room to negotiate?” she suggested. “Maybe stay for another two weeks? But if you feel ready to come home on the 22nd like we originally planned, then you’re ready. You have great instincts, love. Don’t let anyone shake your confidence.”
“I think the doctors expected Darren to vouch for me when he visited, and when he didn’t, it raised some red flags for them.”
“Can I help in any way?” she offered. “I would never overstep in your personal life, Joey, love. You’re a brilliant, capable young man, and I respect that you’re not a child. That’s not the kind of relationship I want us to have. But if you need me to step in on your behalf, I’m here and ready to fight for you.”
“You could vouch for me?” I said, exhaling a shaky breath before admitting, “Because I could really use your help.”
