Page 102 of The In-Laws
Amanda thought Katie was naïve to assume she’d be able simply to stop a habit of a lifetime. ‘You’ll need help. I think you should go to counselling to get over the alcohol dependency and also to work through your childhood traumas.’
‘I agree. You can’t do this on your own, Katie, you need professional help.’
Katie nodded. ‘I’ll do anything to stop.’
‘I’ve just found a really good therapist for Theo. She came highly recommended. She specializes in addiction and trauma. Theo’s only had one session, and I had to drag him there, but he said she was really good. Why don’t you book in with her?’
‘I’m so glad Theo’s getting some help. I’d love to see her too. Send me the details.’
Amanda shared them with Katie.
‘Contact her now,’ Melanie urged. ‘You need to have a date sorted or you might change your mind and back out.’
Katie typed an email requesting an urgent appointment. ‘I swear to you both that I will do everything I can to be a better person, mum and wife. I will never risk my beautiful family for a bender or to feel young again. Ever. This is rock bottom and I am done.’
‘Are you going to tell Jamie?’ Melanie asked.
‘I’m scared to.’ Katie’s eyes filled again. ‘He’s already cross with me and I’m afraid he’ll walk out.’
‘He will never do that. He adores you,’ Amanda said. ‘And in my experience, being honest is so much better than letting him find out. It’s the most awful feeling to know you have been lied to. It makes it all so much worse.’
‘I agree, and you don’t have to give himallthe details, just say you passed out on the couch and woke up clothed, but you realize that you could have done something really stupid and that’s why you’re giving up drinking,’ Melanie suggested.
‘Okay, I’ll do that. I’ll have to tell him something. He’ll be well surprised when I become a Pioneer overnight.’
Amanda put her arm around Katie. ‘It will be hard, but it’s the right thing to do and your life will be better without drink. No hangovers, no shouting at mothers-in-law, no cut knees …’
‘No love bites to hide with concealer,’ Melanie added.
Katie groaned. ‘What man over sixteen does that? It’s fading quickly, thank God.’
‘I used to put toothpaste on mine to hide them,’ Amanda said.
‘I put Sudocrem on mine.’ Melanie laughed. ‘But my mum still spotted them.’
‘Thank God for strong concealer.’ Katie half smiled.
‘Okay, you have a plan in place and we’re here for you. Onwards and upwards. I have to fly.’ Melanie gave Katie a hug and swept out of the door.
Katie fell back on the couch, hugging her legs to her chest. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tired. I feel weary in my bones.’
Amanda knew that feeling. It was how she’d felt when she’d found out about Ross’s affair and love child, then about Theo. ‘I know. Everything seems like a mountain to climb, but I promise it’ll get easier. You have to stop drinking, though, or it’ll ruin your life. Whenever you feel like a drink, call me and we’ll go for a swim or a walk or just chat.’
Katie took Amanda’s hands in hers and looked into her eyes. ‘Three months ago I never would have imagined that you’d be my person in a crisis, but you have been incredible. You could have judged me, but you didn’t, and I do know that this situation is hard for you. I am so grateful, honestly. You’ve been a true friend.’
‘We’re family.’
‘Yeah, I guess we are.’
‘Besides,’ Amanda added, ‘you’ve been really kind to me about Nancy and Ross and the baby and you told me about Theo, which was so important. We’ve had a big chat and we’re putting everything in place to support him.’
‘He’ll be fine. He has the best mother.’
Amanda smiled. ‘Thanks, that means a lot.’ She stood up to go. ‘Don’t forget our reading lesson on Friday morning.’
‘Are you sure you want to take this on?’
‘Absolutely. I’m delighted to help.’
