Page 16 (1/2)

"That’s sweet," I say "No I control the keys"

There’s chaos at the top of the stairs, and we’re separated before we can say goodbye Justin isn’t in the kitchen, so I figure he’s already at the car

Sure enough, he’s pacing there, waiting for me

"Where were you?" he accuses as I unlock the door

"The basement," I tell him e’re in the car "You knew that"

He curses a little, but I know he’s cursing at the cops, not me I pull out, relieved that we didn’t park in the drivehere things are all backed up

"We’re going to make it," I assure him

"You’re beautiful," he slurs

"You’re drunk," I say

"You’re beautiful anyway," he tells me Then he puts back the seat and closes his eyes

I wait a fewalong

As Justin snores, I findNathanon Sunday, so I’ out at least a little But he doesn’t wake up until one, and froood shape I offer to coover cure he wants He texts me back two hours later to say that all he can do today is sleep He can even sleep through his parents yelling about all his sleeping

Get shitfaced, then face the shit--I know the routine It’s not like I’ve never been there I just don’t go there as often as he does

I asked him about it before Not confrontational Just curious

"I drink to feel better," he told me "And if I feel worse the next day, it’s still worth it, because I still got to feel better for a little bit, which is more than I would’ve done sober"

There are times I can make him feel like that, too There are ti out--there are other ti else Which is a power nobody else has with him I know this

Because my day is eo to the grocery store with her, but I know if I do, I’ll only want to buy things I shouldn’t eat My dad is on the co us to provide for us I think of eht passes I doubt I’ll ever see hione, because it was destined to be gone from the minute it started

Distraction I turn on the TV Housewives and nature shows An episode of Friends I’ve seen a hundred ti I want to watch followed by nothing I want to watch I i I want to watch

It’s a day like that