A Million Little Pieces - James Frey [157]
My Mother speaks.
I just don’t want you to hide things from us anymore or think that you can’t share things with us. Your Father and I only want the best for you, and want you to be happy in your life, and whatever we need to do to help make that happen, we’ll do. All I want is to be a part of your life and have you include us in it. I can tell you that if you do relapse, I’m going to continue to try and help you. Like your Father said, if it takes fifty times, that’s fine. I’ll be here fifty times.
Joanne speaks.
After Prison, what are you going to do once you’re on your own?
I’m going to go to Chicago. I’m going to get a job. I’m going to try and survive and be happy. That’s all I really want, to survive and be happy.
My Father speaks.
Why Chicago?
I motion toward Joanne.
I don’t know if I can talk about it in front of her.
Joanne laughs.
Go ahead, there aren’t many Rules we haven’t already broken.
I smile.
I’m going to Chicago because Lilly, that girl I told you about, is going to be in Chicago. I want to be with her.
Joanne shakes her head.
Is there anything I can say?
I shake my head.
No.
My Father speaks.
What’s she going to be doing in Chicago?
She’s going to a Halfway House.
My Mother speaks.
You wouldn’t want to go with her?
No.
My Father speaks.
What will she do if you’re in Jail?
I haven’t talked with her about it, but I’m hoping whichever one of us gets out first will find a place for both of us to live.
Joanne speaks.
And then what?
We’ll live with each other and help each other. We’ll do the best we can for each other.
My Mother speaks.
That sounds nice.
I think it will be.
Are you going to get married?
You’re way ahead of yourself, Mom.
She smiles and she laughs and my Father squeezes her hand. Joanne smiles, though I can see her trying to hold it back. She looks at her watch, speaks.
I think it’s about time.
My Father looks at his watch, nods.
It looks like it.
He stands, my Mother stands. My Father looks at Joanne.
Before we leave, I just wanted to say thank you. This would not have been the experience it has been without you, and we, as a Family, owe you a great amount of credit for that. If there is anything we can ever do to repay you, please do not hesitate to ask.
Joanne smiles.
After seeing you together a few days ago, seeing you today is all the thanks I need.
My Mother speaks. As she does, her eyes start to tear.
Thank you, Joanne.
Certainly, Lynne.
My Mother walks around her desk and Joanne stands. They hug each other strong and true in the way that only women can hug each other. There is no hesitation between them and there is no distance. No emotional distance, no physical distance, no distance of any kind.
They separate and my Father shakes Joanne’s hand and he thanks her again and I thank her and I walk with my Parents to the Room in the Family Center where they have been sleeping. We get their bags and we get their jackets. We walk back through the Halls to the Front Entrance of the Clinic. We step outside and there is a Car waiting. A long, black Car with black windows. We set down the bags. My Father speaks.
This has been a great experience. I am very proud of you for being here and for trying as hard as you are. Obviously there are still some problems and some issues to be worked out, but I feel very good about everything. Please call us when you hear from the Lawyer and please call us if you need anything or we can help in any way and please call us just to say hi and let us know how you’re doing.
I will.
I love you, James.
I love you too, Dad.
A tear appears in the corner of my Father’s eye. He doesn’t wipe