"As you wish, Robbie. I'll see they get there."
"Thanks. You'll be fine here. Molly's an excellent teacher."
"We've got everything covered, but if you'd like a soda, you can get one from the fridge on the far right. Top shelf. We've got most, though we'll gladly stock your favorites. No energy drinks, but any of the regular kind. There's also fresh iced tea and a variety of juices. Recycler's in the corner and you can wash a glass at the sink by the ice machine. Now that I've totally confused you both, have a seat. We'll have dinner on in a bit."
They helped themselves to drinks and took seats on a couple stools near the serving counter, so they were out of the way. Molly supervised, but came to talk to them as well. She was bright and chipper, glad to talk to them and answer any questions.
"Rules? Well, let's see. Raleigh will go over the majority of them. Basically, as pertains to meals, if you take it, you eat it. If you spill, you clean it up. If you dirty it, you rinse and put it in the dishwasher. Laundry, same deal. Do your own. If you don't know how, someone can show you. We don't allow messy rooms, either. Learning to be neat and orderly is part of kicking bad habits. A little clutter isn't a problem, but if the room smells like dirty boxers and week old socks, you'll scrub it with a toothbrush."
They stared at her, incredulous. Molly smiled, her attention distracted by a conflict in her kitchen. Once she had settled it, giving the two extra duties, she came back to Sam and Emma.
"We rotate on chores weekly. You won't have any this week, but starting next Monday you'll be on the roster over there." She pointed with her ladle to the back door of the kitchen. "I try to be fair, but complaints or arguments get you extra duties.
"Your therapy sessions start tomorrow. We work closely with A.A., following their Twelve Step Program. By the time you leave here, you should be well on your way to staying clean. If you don't mind my asking, what's the plan once you leave us?"
Emma was totally overwhelmed. Sam felt rather boggled too, but rallied faster. Clearing his throat, he answered.
"Well, we're still in the what if stages. We know we want to leave the area, maybe go to Virginia to live with my grandparents for a while, until we get on our feet. I have lots of family there. My mom, before she started drinking too much, used to take me there for visits."
"Good. So many of our guests leave us and end up back in the same circumstances as before. We generally see them again."
"Why do you all call us guests? We're patients, aren't we?" Sam asked her.
Molly smiled, patting his hand. "Perhaps, but do you want to hear yourself referred to that way?"
Sam grinned, shaking his head.
"Most of our people come to us voluntarily. I think of it more as we open our home to company. Raleigh and I live here full time."
"Really? I didn't know that."
"House parents, as it were. I won't go so far as to say Mum and Dad. We're not that old yet. But big brother and sister. If you've any problems and need a friendly ear, you've got those who'll understand. Ravenwood has helped us a lot."
"Raleigh said you met here?" Emma asked quietly.
"I was working here in the kitchen, and he came in as a guest. The naughty bugger tried to work his charms on me. I made it clear it was strictly hands off, and he became more cooperative."
"What she's not telling you," Raleigh said as he walked over. "Is that she damn near broke my arm and dislocated my shoulder." He put his arms around his wife, rubbing her belly with his chin on top of her head. "Sam, my friend, never piss off a woman with a black belt."
Sam laughed loudly, tossing his head to look at Emma. "I'll keep that in mind, Raleigh. You won't beat me up for getting fresh, will you, Em?"
She smirked, punching his arm. "I'd just bare knuckle box you, Sammy." She did up her fists, pretending to shadow box.
"She's got a mean right hook. But it's the uppercut you've gotta watch for." Sam rubbed his jaw, remembering the cracked tooth she'd given him once.
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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