Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Strong (11/21/24)
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TITLE: The Right Currency | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
11/24/24 -
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He told me his name is Xavier. He seemed to know why I was there and he sensed my deep depression at failing once again. He sat at the foot of my bed and we chatted for nearly an hour. I felt strangely at peace. The confused feelings that usually follow an opioid episode were leaving me. But this is always temporary; until the cravings start again.
I told him a year ago my wife gave me a final ultimatum, Quit the drugs, clean yourself up, get a job, or I’m taking the children and moving out—far away. I tried, I really did, but I guess the flesh is weak. Mine is, at any rate. I feel there is no hope for me. As soon as I get out I will end it.
Xavier placed a hand on my arm and asked a question I had been asking myself. Do you want to go back to Noreen and the kids? In my befuddled state I tried to visualize the long rehab period, getting a permanent job again and, above all, leaving the needles permanently. The more I thought about it the easier the 0.38 solution seemed. Why battle when there is an easy way out?
So I lied, mainly to get him off my back. I told him I believed Noreen had found someone else—a steady guy with a steady job and good with the kids. He looked at me and smiled. He said, None of that is true, and you know it. Just the opposite, Noreen cries herself to sleep every night, and between her tears she prays for your recovery. My advice to you is to clean yourself up and squash those suicidal thoughts.
I’m willing to help you through all this, but you must want it, and it’s up to you to take all the advice I will give you—it won’t be easy, but we can do it together. And oh, get rid of that 0.38 Special, you won’t need it anymore.
I could see it would be of no use to argue with Xavier as he seemed to understand more about me than I did myself. This made me feel uneasy and, although I would normally challenge and argue with a person whom I believed was trying to put me down, I felt that Xavier meant me no harm or discomfort. Instead I felt unusually calm and at peace in his presence.
He said that overcoming drug abuse required patience and inner strength. I asked him if he was an addiction councilor attached to the hospital whereupon he smiled and said, Yes—but I’m attached to a much larger group than this hospital. Now get some sleep, we’ll continue tomorrow.
My cravings had cost every cent I had. I said, Even though I might want to continue with you, I don’t have two cents to rub together—I can’t pay you.
Oh yes you can, said Xavier with a smile, but not in the usual way.
How then? I was confused.
My currency is love, not dollars, he said standing up. So we need to work on that first, but not now. We’ll start tomorrow. Then he was gone.
I lay awake pondering over what had transpired. Is he really going to work with me and what does he mean by ‘a currency of love’?
Are you awake? Sister Ruth had entered the room silently. It sounded like you were talking to yourself; are you okay?
I feel pretty good, thanks Sister. I was actually talking to the visitor who left a few minutes ago.
Sister Ruth gave me an odd look. I didn’t see anyone in here with you, and I passed by several times.
Xavier was with me for about an hour, I said, But you probably don’t count him as a visitor. He probably visits daily.
No, doesn’t ring a bell.
Then I knew where Xavier was from. I relaxed and closed my eyes. I was actually looking forward to sharing in a small part of this kingdom where the currency for life is love.
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Good job