Sneak Peek

The people who are the guardians of my deepest secrets know that I write. In my head, on scraps of paper, on dozens of notebooks scattered around the house. As soon as I learned words gave power, I wrote. Now I think of those casual writings more often, imagining Lilly going through my estate and reading them. Thus, I have begun putting it all together. This is a sneak peek of my full-length book (in progress), with the working title: Second Chances. It is a look at a lifetime of work in helping those who are often seen as hopeless. All the names, scenarios, and even genders are combined and mixed up to protect confidentiality. We (my coworkers and I) cannot go home and talk about our day. We look at each other when something surprises or amuses us and say, "That's going in the book." Second Chances is the book.

Let me know what you think. Feedback is always much appreciated.

Second Chances

Intro:

Most of the time if I ask a woman why they use meth I will get one of two answers:  To be skinny or to get things done.  Even in their addiction, a woman thinks of how others perceive them.  A good woman is industrious and slim, trim, summer beach body ready.  My response is in my head: “Yeah, cuz no tourist wants a blowjob from a fat woman with all her teeth on their Vegas Vacation.”

Ask a man, and inevitably the answer is: Because I like how it makes me feel.  Unashamedly, the male clients display the narcissism of their addiction. A man doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, and he sure as hell doesn’t need to be considered industrious. 

Each answer is honest and provides an insight into addiction and society. A woman will hide her addiction until it is impossible to continue to do so.  A man will party until partying means shitting your pants and having a seizure, and even then, may only admit to needing to cut it down a bit.

If you have met me, it was possibly one of the lowest points in your life.  A serious medical condition combined with a mental illness, addiction, severe behavioral issues, or a mixture of all the above.  Or maybe you had a regular medical issue, we take your insurance, and you live nearby.  If that’s the case, nothing here will mean much to you.