My wine session with Carlos went down well and it gave me a reason to smile before retiring to bed.I liked him.At that point I didn't know what I meant by like.He was growing on me,fast! I was about to go for my first therapy session.It was exciting and scary at the same time.I was about to put this drug problem behind me and it was safe to say Sid had just lost a customer.
A knock at my door.Carlos.What was he up to this time?
"I'm sorry,did I wake you?"He apologized as soon I opened the door.He was all dressed up for work.White shirt and black trousers to match his black shoes.Anyway,that was enough staring from me."Come in,"I said while trying to control my breathing.I was nervous and my fast breath was giving me away.
"I don't even know why I came here.I don't have an excuse really,"he said. "You don't need an excuse to come here.For what it's worth I like being around you,"I assured him. "Hey,don't get mad at me.I think I made a little mistake.It wasn't entirely my idea but I regret being a part of it,"he was panicking. "Hey,what are you talking about?I don't get it,"I explained that I didn't understand him.As if to answer my question, I heard a vehicle pull up outside our house.My ears weren't familiar with that type of vroom.I decided to peep outside through my window on the first floor.
"Is that what you were part of?Sending me to rehab?"I turned to Carlos after reading out the bold letters on the right side of the van.
OAXACA REHABILITATION SERVICES.It read.
Xavi and Carlos were sending me to rehab!They didn't trust that I would be fine going to therapy?They wanted me locked away in a rehab,as if I wasn't lonely enough?
"I'm sorry,"Carlos whispered.He looked sorry. "You have no right whatsoever to make decisions about my life.I told you to stop playing big brother!I trusted you Carl,"I almost cried.The thought of rotting in rehab all alone for months frightened me.Surely,my drug problem wasn't that bad.
"I was just worried about you,"he said.
"You can go hell Carlos!"I said and opened the door for him to leave my room.He left and instead of sitting there crying,I decided to make plans of my own.There was no way I was going to that rehab.Since desperate times call for desperate measures,I decided to call Fabian. "Hey,"he said in a sleepy voice once he picked up.
"I really need your help Faby,"I said immediately. "Are you alright?"He asked. "No,"I cried."Xavi is sending me to a rehab in Oaxaca.The van is here to get me.I need you to get me,"I continued in my rough voice because I was desperately trying to suppress my cry. "Are you sure?"He asked. "Yeah,"I said. "Okay.You can relax now,I gatchu.Carry your phone with you.I'll track it,"he instructed. "Thank you Fabian,"I said from the bottom of my heart."You can thank me later when it's done,"he said and I hanged up.
I quickly threw on a T-shirt and cargo pants then left my room.I was headed to the living room down stairs to see what fate had in store for me. No!Let's not blame that on fate,it was all Xavi.Well,he was standing right there in the middle of the room.Ines was there too.I mean,my mum.She was part of that too?That was interesting because the last time I checked,she didn't care that much about me. "Hey dad,I didn't know you came home from the hospital.How are you feeling?"I tried to initiate a normal conversation.He didn't answer me. "He got here this morning.He insisted on his discharge,"mum took the liberty to answer me.
"You're still mad at me?"I asked Xavi as I took a few steps closer to him.He was still silent."Okay,got it.You don't want to speak to me,"I pointed out. "Would you at least tell me why there's a van from Oaxaca parked outside?"I asked. "You are the drug addict,I'm sure you know why,"he said.
"What if I don't want to go to rehab?"I asked with tears welling in my eyes."I was to start therapy today.I promise you I'll be fine,"I tried the reassurance card. "Three years of drug abuse and you expect me to believe that you'll be fine just by going to therapy?I'm sorry but I don't trust that,"he said. "So,you're just pushing me away?Why do you want me locked up so bad?It's not my fault mum lied to you.I know every time you look at me you see the lie you lived for sixteen years.I lived it too,"I said to him.
"This is not about that Eva,"he defensively said. "It is and it's high time you accept it.Own it,"I said.
"Once this is over,I hope I won't be too bitter to come back home,"I said and some two men and one lady dressed in white scrubs came out of nowhere.It's like they magically appeared.Xavi nodded at them and they grabbed me.
"You'll be fine,"Xavi said to me.No one could be lonely and fine at the same time.I guess Xavi didn't know that.I saw Carlos watching from the staircase.Traitor!I was led outside and put inside the van.My fate was in Faby's hands and I trusted him to keep his word.Otherwise,I was fucked!And that wasn't fate,Xavi did that.He was pushing me away and he wasn't even realizing it.He was breaking the little chain our father-daughter relationship was bound by.I wasn't even going to try to salvage it,I had troubles of my own.Like escaping from a moving van!