Janet hollered for her husband but he didn’t answer. She looked for him out back and in the garden. “21 days” she thought with a sigh. That’s how long he had been home from rehab. She passed the tool shed and smelled cigarette smoke. She stepped inside. “I’ve been looking for you.”
The ash tray, overflowing with butts, sat on his unused weight bench, he, on an inverted bucket.
“What are you doing out here?”
“Nothing.”
She couldn’t get through to him. She had tried.
“Dinner is ready”
She set the table and waited but he never came in.
This week’s photo: © Nathan Sowers (my grandson)
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word writing challenge inspired by a picture prompt. Click here to read other stories.
The Day After 
Dear Dawn,
It sounds like the demons won. Poignant piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS thanks for the link for Nathan’s photos. I’ve added it to my page. Great kid and a talented photographer.
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He has a birthday coming up, will be 15 soon. But you would think today was his birthday! Thanks Rochelle.
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tense.
this couple seems to have had one arduous journey….
and I like the mention of the 21 days (that key number folks suggest can make or break a habit – although it depends)
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Really? I didn’t even know that. I just made it up! lol
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well let me correct that!
Some say that it is 21 and research supports some of it – which is why we see so many 21 days of transformation books (like Mark’s Daily Apple has a new book 21 Days of Transformation) the three weeks is a good number to establish new patterns.
However, author Christine Avanti found in her research that people took anywhere from 18 to 254 Days to form a new habit (or break old ones) with the average being 66 days.
interesting – huh?
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A tough situation, it sounds like she has tried everything she can, and has nothing left to give him. Well written.
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Thanks Lain.
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and curious as to where your grandson took the picture?
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This is at my house, Yvette. He’s a budding photographer so whenever we are together we work on different things. This day we were talking about reflections and I told him about this old mirror i bought. He dug it out, cleaned it up, and went out in the yard to “play”. He posted it on facebook and tagged me in it. That’s where Rochelle found it.
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A hollow last line. Congratulations to your grandson for a great pic that’s really inspiring a lot of people.
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Thanks Sandra.
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Addiction, the greatest thief.
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I daresay, that sadly, you have probably seen more of it than I have.
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Not really Dawn but we studied addiction medicine in Med School. With the growing opioid addiction epidemic physicians are leading the discussion about prevention now. A welcome change. The way that my son prescribes opioids to surgical patients is distinctly different from how I learned to prescribe. Less is better. Probably more info than you wanted to hear today but I felt wordy. 😉
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No. I appreciate every word of it. I see so much of this, any information is a plus. Thank you.
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I agree Tracey – and I was disgusted when a 27 year old recently had wisdom teeth pulled and got opioids for pain – really?
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This is so sad. And other than supporting loved-ones can’t really help. Thank you and Nathan for the intriguing picture.
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Thank you Gabi. My grandson was tickled beyond measure that Rochelle used his pic.
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I bet. And how proud you must feel. 🙂
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The photo your grandson took is stimulating some great stories. The last line of your story said so much. I fear for your characters future
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Thank you Michael.
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21 days is NOT long enough! The spouse of an addict has the toughest road, in my opinion. You showed that very clearly.
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Thank you.
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I agree granny – it could take years to change patterns and even have some relapse untilt hey get a boot in the head.
Addiction is different than patterns and habits – can be harder – but is not without hope
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No, not hopeless at all. But in 21 days, an addict has only begun. There is a very long way to go.
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such a good point – make that good advice and wisdom
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First off, kudos to your grandson for a fabulous picture.
And this situation is not good. She is in a horrid position and I feel for her.
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Thanks Dale.
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She can only be supportive, and hope I guess.
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Thanks for reading,.
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Fighting inner demon is the toughest.
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It is indeed. They never letup.
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It’s a long road back, I hope he makes it.
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Thanks Ali.
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This has such a hopeless feel to it, that sense that she’s losing him. I hope he comes round. Send my congrats to Nathan for his inspirational photograph
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Thanks Lynn.
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My pleasure
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You’ve written this story very well. The image of Janet’s husband sitting on the bucket, chain smoking as he tries to resist temptation, is graphic and conveys a real sense of his struggle. And then you tell us, subtly and obliquely, that he loses the struggle.
It’s the little details that make this such excellent writing. “unused weight bench” and “inverted bucket”,
“She couldn’t get through to him. She had tried.” That’s so powerful because of what it doesn’t say. Janet doesn’t scream at him, doesn’t try to persuade him, just serves his meal, and sits and waits.
“She couldn’t get through to him. She had tried.” And we know that this scene has played out many, many times before. “21 days” He’s been in rehab before, maybe many times. Janet is just bone-weary. She’s standing by her man, but, my God, it’s hard work.
That’s a terrific story, Dawn. Kudos!
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Thanks Penny. I’m so glad you got this! You are a most perceptible reader.
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The sense of hopelessness is palpable through your words. Congrats to your grandson, he must be pleased with the way it’s inspired such a broad range of stories.
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Indeed! Thank you Keith.
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An issue that drags two people down to rock bottom if she’s not careful. Very sad. And thank you to your grandson for the terrific photograph.
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Thanks Jilly
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Excellent piece & excellent photo.
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Thank you
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it’s said the darkest hour is just before dawn… it’s the optimist here speaking. . .
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I love an optimist!
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A sad thoughtful tale, I hope they sort their issues out
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Thank you
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Change has to be wanted by the individual. It won’t happen from the outside.
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So true, Thanks for stopping by.
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That shed does look like a good place to hide out in. Im hoping that what he is trying to beat (his addiction) is more harmful than the cigarettes I assume he is using to keep himself from relapsing. Unless of course the addiction is the cigarettes!
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No, i think you had it right the first time.
Thanks so much for stopping by and your for your thoughtful comment.
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A man’s tool shed a refuge from the world. the fact he didn’t come to eat was a telling ending, so many young men just can’t talk about their troubles.
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We are a flawed species.
Thanks for commenting, James.
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A very poignant tale of a man still struggling. Addiction is horrible for loved ones as well. Nicely told story!
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Thank you.
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A well written tale on the battle against addiction. My heart goes out to those struggling with it and their families as well.
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Thank you Russell.
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I think it will take longer… much longer… love the image and all the stories it gave.
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Thank you Bjorn
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Then three hours after she’d done the dishes he’ll want food.
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It’s so hard on the family members. Well told tale.
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Yes it is. Thank you.
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Excellent, seriously thought provoking. Please check out my page for some of my work.
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Thank you. Will do.
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