Exclusive Excerpt from The Rescuer

by Eric Huffbind

It was 3:30 in the afternoon when Susan arrived to take Christopher back home to his apartment. “I’m still waiting to say goodbye to Jason. I haven’t seen him all day. My nurse told me she was going to try and find him, but I haven’t heard anything yet. He said he was going to be here today, and I can’t just leave without saying goodbye. At the very least, he deserves my gratitude.”

She reassured him with gesturing hands, “It’s fine. I’m not in a rush; we can wait a while longer.”

“Thanks,” he smiled.

Susan smiled back, “You’re welcome. I can’t get over how terrific you look. Wow! What an improvement.”

Just then, the door to the room cracked open, and Jason peered in. “Hey guys, can I come in?”

Christopher sighed with great relief, “Are you kidding? I’ve been looking for you all day!”

“Judy told me you were looking for me. Sorry, I got caught up in some continuing education classes this morning. I promise you, I didn’t forget my star patient is leaving. Good to see you again, Susan. Best of luck with George. Now, tell me, isn’t my cousin the nicest guy?”

“He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever gone out with.” Susan was radiant. “George is quite fond of you too.”

“I’m just as fond of him. We’ve been close since childhood. Our mothers are sisters. He’s a real catch, so don’t let him slip away.”

“I don’t intend to,” she reassured him.

Jason turned his attention back to Christopher and opened his arms for a hug. Wasting no time, Christopher grabbed his hero and clenched as tight as he could. Emotionally tearing him up inside was the thought, will I ever see you again? Christopher never wanted to let go of him. Jason rubbed Christopher’s back, attempting to heighten the warmth of the goodbye.

At last, the hug subsided. Jason held Christopher’s face between his two palms. “Okay, so, listen up my green-eyed beauty. You go out into that world, and you make me proud. Please stay strong. I know you can do it. But you must know you can do it. And you must want this sobriety more than anything else. Nothing is more important. Your mental, emotional, and physical health all depend on it.”

Jason let go of his face. “Susan, will you be a dear. I need you to do me a huge favor. When you get back to Christopher’s apartment, please go through it with a fine-tooth comb and toss every bottle of alcohol you can find down the sink. Don’t leave any spot without searching. Every drawer, every closet, every nook and cranny in every room.” Looking directly towards Christopher, “I expect you to help her with that purge. You’re not to ever bring any alcohol into your home, not even for guests. Your true friends will understand. Remember, we talked about true friends?”

“I remember that talk, and I promise, I’ll help her search and dump it all,” he said. “Oh, that’s the reason! Now I get it, that’s why you were glad Susan was coming to fetch me.”

Giving him a secretive wink, “If you need me, I mean really need me, you can call into Watermeadow and ask for me.”

Nurse Judy had wandered by and was outside the door for much of this touching goodbye. Christopher grabbed his bags, and he and Susan departed Watermeadow to begin his life again. Clean and sober.

“Bye, Judy,” he smiled at her as they walked away.

“Bye bye, sweetie.” Judy turned and looked at Jason, “You know that boy has a major crush on you, don’t you?”

He rolled his eyes, “So, it’s obvious to you too.”

“Darn right, it’s obvious. However, what may not be obvious to you is that I think, perhaps you have a bit of a crush on him too,” she smirked. “I know a crush when I see one.”

Jason retorted with crossed arms across his chest, “Now, come on, you of all people should know that I would never date a patient.”

“I know you wouldn’t. However, considering that man just left our facility, it seems to me that he’s not a patient of yours any longer. He might be the frog you’ve been hunting for.”

“Even so, I need to know the guy has his shit together. You and I don’t know if it’s going to happen. Of course, it’s what we hope happens.”

“No, you’re right. But you see what I see. And what I see is one of those rare patients who’ll leave here sober and actually stay sober. It’s true, I don’t make that claim often, but it’s what my gut tells me. He’s going to do well. You and I have worked together for a long time now. In your experience, isn’t that what your gut is telling you?”

Jason didn’t respond, but wrinkled his forehead and bit his lip. He just stared out of the window noticing Christopher and Susan walking towards the parking lot. A pensive expression washed over his face.

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