Part 128
Sarah could hardly contain her excitement as they walked hand in hand up the sidewalk. Howie laughed as he watched her practically bouncing.
"Do you think he’s expecting us? I wonder how he looks? I hope they let us see him!" gushed Sarah.
"Sarah, they’re gonna have you committed if you don’t calm down. Don’t worry. I called him yesterday and he’s expecting us."
"What if he forgot to tell them and they won’t let us in?"
"Would you stop it, Sarah? They’ll let us in and we’ll get to see
him."
As they walked through the doors, Howie and Sarah heard the all-too-familiar
"GOOD GAWD" echoing through the halls. Looking up, they saw him
rushing down the hall minus the characteristic dark glasses.
Sarah dropped Howie’s hand and rushed into his open arms. "ALEX!"
His arms were strong and he held her close, his face buried in her neck taking in her scent. The two stood like this for some time rejoicing in the reunion of best friends.
Finally, Howie spoke up. "Hey…you know, she is MY wife, Bone!"
The two laughed as they let go of each other and the two men embraced. "God, it’s good to see you both," whispered Alex trying hard not to cry.
"It’s good to see you too," said Howie.
The threesome made their way to a corner of the lobby so they could talk. Sarah chose to sit beside Alex and he put his arm around her as she leaned comfortably against him.
"Guys, how long can you stay?" asked AJ first off.
"Our flight doesn’t leave until eight so we’ve got the next nine hours with you, bro," said Howie. "Think they’ll let you out of here to go get some lunch with us?"
"No way! Besides, there’s NOTHING around here to eat. We’ll get something in the dining room later. The food’s not that bad here."
"Alex, what’s up? Why did you want to know how long we have?" asked Sarah.
"Well, there’s a session today for family and friends and I’d really like for one of you…or both of you…to join me."
"We’d be glad to, Age," said Howie. "Denise already gave us the heads up. That’s why I booked us a later flight out of here."
"Man…THANK YOU. I can’t believe you’re putting off your honeymoon for me though, after what I’ve put you through."
Sarah smiled, "You’re our friend, Alex. Besides, we didn’t feel
right going on our honeymoon before we saw you and gave you the news."
"What news?" asked AJ cocking his eyebrow.
"That night…I was already pregnant. It’s okay," said Sarah. "And it’s twins."
AJ breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Sarah. "That’s AWESOME news, baby! So, D…you’re gonna be a ‘Daddy’! Congrats, bro! I knew you had it in you!"
Howie and Sarah both laughed as Howie said, "Thanks, man."
The three sat together for another hour getting caught up on what had happened in the two weeks they’d been apart. Alex expressed his condolences to Sarah for the death of her mother and Howie told him about Sarah’s show at ‘Tabu’.
While Sarah was using the restroom, Howie said, "Look, Kevin’s gonna try to set up a show for Sarah in LA sometime in August. How about singing with her?"
"I’d love to, D."
"We’ll let you know what song or songs as soon as we get it set up."
"That’s cool. Hey, I’ve been working on some stuff for Sarah in my free
time. Before you leave, I want to give it to you so she can work on it."
Sarah rejoined them and said, "Alex…how about that lunch you promised. I’m STARVED."
Howie laughed, "You never would have known she had an eating problem not too long ago the way her appetite has been lately."
"Well, she’s eating for two…"
"Three," corrected Howie quickly.
"Oops…three. Damn, BABY! You’re gonna be HUGE!" teased Alex.
"Oh, thank you very much!" said Sarah sarcastically.
Howie and Alex both laughed and Alex said, "Come on. The dining hall is this way."
After a peaceful lunch together, Howie, Sarah, and Alex made their way to the session for family of the patients. Sarah sat between the two men with her head on Howie’s shoulder and holding on to Alex’s hand. Being here with Alex made Sarah feel like her world was perfect again. She had watched Alex the whole time she’d been there and was extremely pleased with what she saw. He was gaining weight again and his eyes were so much clearer. They sparkled every time he smiled. There was also the peacefulness about him that had been missing for some time.
"Alex, please introduce your guests," said the counselor interrupting Sarah’s thoughts.
"Sure. This is Howie Dorough and his wife, Sarah. Howie’s one of my bandmates and they are both two of the best friends in my life."
"Nice to meet both of you. Now, Alex, why did you choose to have them join you today?"
Alex squeezed Sarah’s hand as he looked at the two of them. He started, "They were probably the two other than myself that I hurt the most with my drinking and drug use. I raped Sarah one night before a show but they have stood by me despite what I did."
The counselor looked at Howie and Sarah, "How did it make you feel?"
The couple looked at each other and Howie said, "Angry, betrayed, hurt, helpless. Alex is my best friend…my brother…and to think that he had violated my wife made me sick to my stomach."
"Sarah, what about you?"
"Angry, scared…I blamed myself to a certain degree because of the way we flirt with each other and the way I was dressed that night."
"You three obviously have a strong relationship. What changed those feelings you had initially?"
"Knowing that Alex wasn’t in control of his feelings," said Howie. "That it was the drugs and alcohol driving him."
"We also stood behind Alex because he was a friend to me when I was down a while back," added Sarah.
The session lasted for a couple hours focusing on how the problems of the patients affected their loved ones. Tips were given to help the patients and family deal with the problems at hand and tips on how to help the patient after rehab when they were back in their life.
It had been a good afternoon and Sarah was extremely glad Howie had decided to visit AJ before going on their honeymoon. At his room, Alex gave them the music he had done for Sarah and they said their good-byes.
"Baby, I’m so glad everything is working out for you with the babies," said Alex as he hugged her tight.
"Me too, Alex. It was so good to see you today. You look so good…like my best friend again."
Alex laughed and winked at Howie, "Good thing you two are married. I do believe I could steal you away."
Sarah laughed, "I DOUBT that very seriously!! I love you, Alex, but NOT that much!!"
Alex let go of her and gave Howie a hug. "Bro…you’d better take care of her. Now that I’m clean, I’m gonna kick your butt if anything happens to my nieces or nephews!"
"No problem. We’ll see you again soon!"
"Have fun on your honeymoon," grinned Alex. "Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!"
Howie laughed, "Skies the limit on THAT one. Take care of yourself, Alex."
Sarah and Howie started to leave but Sarah looked back at Alex as he lazily leaned in the door. She turned and went back to him giving him a hug. "Alex…I’m so proud of you," she whispered. "I love you!"
Alex began to cry silent tears as he held her tight. "I love you too, baby!"