I drove through the dark streets of Belleville heading to my parents’ house. I didn’t know where else to go, and I needed my dad for he would be the only one who could talk any sense into me at the present time.

I pulled into the driveway my hands still gripping the steering wheel long after I turned the car off; my body heaving with choking sobs. I never expected to see what I had just saw, and the fact that Frank broke his promise to me cut me like a knife.

I collected myself the best I could and walked to the door and pushed it open. I went through the entryway and heard noises coming from the kitchen; I went towards the sounds and stepped into the spacious room, my dad had his back to me and was digging around in the fridge. I let out a small sob upon seeing him and he turned to face me, concern showing in his eyes.

“Daddy.”

I cried as I ran to him, throwing my arms around his middle and crying into his shirt; he hugged me back for a moment before pulling me away to look at me.

“Nicole, what’s the matter?”

I bent and shook my head.

“Frank…I caught him doing drugs. Hard drugs, I think it was crack but I don’t know for sure.”

He placed an arm around my shoulder and led me to the table, guiding me to a chair; where I then told him everything.

---

I was now walking up to the apartment building, butterflies swirling in my gut and a pounding headache. I walked into the elevator and pushed the button, riding up while more tears stained my face. I was scared I would find Frank in the house and even more scared I would find it completely void of him.

I got to the door and unlocked it, stepping into the lit apartment immediately knowing Frank was there. I put my bag down and walked into the bedroom, finding nothing disturbed and everything as I left it earlier today.

I found him in the living room, seated on the couch a cigarette hanging from his lips and a painful look on his face.

“You’re here.”

I said breaking the silence and raising Frank’s head so he was looking at me.

“I just got here maybe half an hour ago. I was planning on being gone when you got back.”

He looked back down to the carpet as I stepped towards him and sat beside him, wanting so badly to hold him and promise everything would be okay.

“I’m glad you’re here Frank… We need to talk.”

He nodded his head but said nothing. I huffed and lit a smoke.

“I talked to my dad tonight.”

“So he hates me now too.”

He said shifting in his seat.

“No he doesn’t, Frank he wants to help you; if you want it that is.”

He looked over at me then.

“How? How is he going to help me Nicole?”

I flicked the ashes from my smoke into the ashtray and swept my bangs out of my face.

“Well you have two choices. One; you can pack your stuff and leave…”

He scoffed and looked out the window.

“Okay and?”

“Or you can get help. My dad is willing to pay to send you to treatment so you can get better, and when you’re done you can come home.”

I paused giving him a chance to process his thoughts. He didn’t respond; he just kept staring out the window.

I got up and started to walk out of the room when he finally spoke.

“Why? Why is he willing to help me?”

I stopped in my tracks and looked over my shoulder towards him.

“Because he cares about you and I. He knows how happy you make me, so he’s willing to at least try.”

I heard Frank let out a shaky breath and I turned to face him.

“Will you at least try Frank? If for no better reason then for yourself. Do it for you, do it for me, and do it for us.”

My tears had started again, and I let them fall from my lashes, not bothering to wipe them from my face. To see the person you love destroying themselves makes you feel like your heart is being ripped from your chest.

“You haven’t given up on me?”

He looked at me, tears spilling down his face. I went to the couch and sat beside him, placing my hand on his shoulder.

“I couldn’t if I tried.”

He pulled me close and rested my head on his shoulder, sobs racking his body, his fingers digging into my body trying to draw it closer to his. We stayed on the couch clinging to each other, letting ourselves cry until there were no tears left.

“I’ll go…”

Frank’s voice was rough and raspy, barely a whisper; but he said the words I was hoping to hear. I let out a sigh of relief and clung to him a little bit tighter.

“Oh Frank…”

He lifted my chin so I was looking him in the face.

“Nicole, I don’t have another choice, it’s you or the drugs. I need you more than dope.”

He leaned down and captured my lips with his, fresh tears leaked from both our eyes as he pulled back.

“I’m sorry and I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I felt a weight being lifted from my shoulders, and leaned forward to grab a smoke.

“What happens now?”

Frank asked.

“I’ll take you to detox tomorrow and from there you’ll go to a 30 day treatment facility in New York. It’s all arranged, so we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“Wow that’s fast.”

I nodded, taking a drag off my cigarette.

“It has to be.”

I stated, there was no other way, if he was going to go he needed to go as soon as possible, and luckily my dad was able to get him in right away.

We stayed on the couch for a bit smoking until we decided to go to bed and get some sleep. We both had a long day in the morning.

Frank was rummaging through the closet while I was placing things from the dresser into a suitcase for him. We finished packing and crawled into bed, exhaustion setting in from the day, making it hard for me to focus on much.

I looked over at Frank, resting his head on the pillow staring back at me.

“I’m glad you’re going. I’m going to miss you, but it’s for the best.”

“I know me too.”

“I was so scared you were going to be gone by the time I got back.”

“I couldn’t leave without seeing you one last time. I still had hope things would work out for us.”

I smiled and reached out so I could move the hair from his tired eyes. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him, kissing my forehead.

“We’re going to make it, right?”

I closed my eyes and rested my head on Frank’s chest.

“I hope so Frank, I really do.”

At that moment I didn’t know if we would. But if Frank got better we would at least get to try. I loved him with everything I had and even when I was leaving the garage I knew walking away wouldn’t be that easy.

“I love you.”

I whispered, feeling sleep start to tug at my mind.

“I love you too.”

Frank whispered back as I fell asleep.

Notes

So this chapter has been written for a couple of days now, and I thought I posted it, but I guess I didn't lol so my apologies for that.
Chapter twenty should be up later today.
Rate + Review!

Helena.