Collection of Short stories
Новини
Beneath the Darkness
As the sunsets and the darkness descends the streets of London start to come alive. There was this man named Michael but people usually just call him Mick. Mick came from a upper class background his father was a doctor and his mother a Lawyer Mick studied mathematics in oxford and received his Phd in Cambridge. Mick was a family man and who had two children a son named Patrick and a daughter named Amy. He lectured in Oxford and was a very respected man who was well liked
But unfortunately things took a turn for the worse and Mick started drinking again, His Wife Sarah had got sick of his heavy drinking and she threw him out on his ear. He wasn’t working so he turned to a life of crime having to steal food just to be able to eat. He would fill the trolley and he would use the escalator and before he would reach ground floor he would have the food in a bags so it would look like he had paid for the food. He never got caught so he continued to steal
He has been living on the streets for a few years now and he would beg just to get money so he could buy drink. Not only was he an alcoholic but he was also addicted to heroin One winter night it was cold and mick didn’t want to sleep outside so went to the shelter but there was no beds available so he had to leave again.
Mick left the shelter and he knew he had to stay warm so he went to the off license to get some drink. He went in and went over to where the whiskey was and when no one was looking he put the bottle of whiskey underneath his jacket. And just as he was leaving the security guard stopped him and asked him what was he doing? But mick just replied by saying I was just looking. So the security guard said that was fine and told him that he could go but he told Mick he didn’t want to see him in here again.
When Mick got somewhere it was safe to open the bottle he looked around to see if anyone was looking and when the close was clear he took the bottle of whiskey and opened it. He knew he had to find somewhere to sleep so he went to a corner of a street and put the sleeping bag on the cold and wet ground. After he had the bottle of whiskey drank he then fell asleep the next morning A as he woke all that he was worried about was where he was going to get his next fix. As he walked the streets he got paranoid and thought people are talking about him. Was it because he was homeless? Or they had a grudge against him. As the people were passing him on the street he thought to himself will he steal for money? He could pick pocket he might be able to some kind of a fix but the voices in his head were making him even more agitated.
He then walked as far as Church Street and decided to go the capuchins he figured they might be able to help him. He stood outside the holy Trinity Church and was debating he should go in or not. Fr Jim was saying eight o clock mass. At first he started to walk away but he turned back and he then went inside the church. He went to the sacristy he knocked at the door and heard a voice say come in. Fr Jim was surprised to see him he hadn’t seen Mick for a long time. Mick and his family use to go to mass here before. Fry Jim asked out of curiosity Mick at first told him everything was fine but suddenly he broke into tears. Fr Jim then asked what happened so Mick told him the story about his alcohol and drugs addiction and how he lost everything and end up on the streets. Fr Jim then asked about Patrick and Amy but Mick told him as far as he knows that are fine. He explained how his wife Sarah threw him out of the house and she won’t let him see his children .But what happened to your house and your job? I lost everything father Mick Explained.
Come back to the friary with me father Jim told Mick. So Fr Jim locks up the church and as they were heading towards the friary Fr Jim asked how old his two children were. So Mick told him that Patrick was thirteen and Amy was eleven. Go they are after getting big aren’t they Fr Jim asked. They most certainly are Mick replied they’re growing like weeds they both start to laugh.
When they got back to the friary Fr Jim told Mick to put on the kettle he then asked are you hungry. I am father Mick replied. There is stuff in the fridge and he told him make yourself something to eat. So Fr Jim left the room and Mick went to the fridge and took out some ham and cheese and made himself a sandwich . Mick made the cups of tea and as Mick was eating his sandwich Fr Jim asked Mick if he wanted to get help for his addiction. But fr Jim I let you sleep on it and you can let me know in he morning. So after Mick had his sandwich they both went to bed.
The next morning Jim woke up early he heard Fr Jim up and about. He went down stairs but there was no one in the house Fr Jim had to say Mass. So Jim put on the kettle and made himself a cup of coffee. Fr Jim then arrived back from the church and he went into the kitchen and he sat down. He asked Jim about what he was saying to him last night. There was silence at first then Mick asked Fr Jim some questions about going into rehab. Fr Jim explained that he would be rehab for about Three months and he would be treated for his drug and alcohol addiction. To be honest father I want to get clean and get my life back Mick told Fr Jim as he broken down in tears. Then do it! Fr Jim replied. Nobody can help you expect yourself and if you want to see your children age then do it for them. I have faith in you mick and I believe you can do it. Fr Jim then gave mick a prayer called footprints and Fr Jim explained to him when you see one see one set of footprints that’s when the lord is carrying you.
went to reception and asked for Dr Murphy. The secretary told them to wait in the waiting room and Dr Murphy will see them as soon as he’s available. Mick was a bit anxious so he went out for a cigarette As he was smoking his cigarette he was debating whether or not he should do it or not As Mick arrived back from his cigarette Dr Murphy arrived also she then greeted them both and asked Mick to come to her office.
So they went into the office and sat down and Dr Murphy started asking Mick questions. What age are you? She asked forty – Seven Mick replied. She then asked him when the last time we took alcohol was. Mick stayed silent for a minute and then told her last night. You’re doing well Michael I have one more question for you. When was the last time you took a fix? Two days ago Mick replied she then explained to him what will happen. I will be putting you on Oxycontin which will help you with the cravings. There also will be counselling in your stay here and everything you say will be kept confidential and you don’t have to say tell us what you don’t want. Do you have any family that we can contact with in case of any emergency? No Mick replied but can you please contact Fr Jim instead. No problem Dr Murphy replied. Have you any questions? How long it take? Mick asked. It really depends on each patient Dr Murphy replied. So mick was satisfied and the Dr said breakfast at eight am and I’ll see you in the morning..
The next morning Mick woke up early he went over to the widow and looked out and then opened it. He could see the hospital grounds and said to himself it’s a beautiful day. He then got dressed and headed outside for a cigarette. As he was making the cigarette he thought to himself he knew he had to do this so he could see his son and daughter again but he also realised it won’t be easy. All he wanted was to get his life back the way it was before. After he had finished his cigarette he went back in and headed for the canteen.
He went inside and headed to where the breakfast was being served. He took a bowel of porridge and poured himself a cup of coffee he then sat down. As he was eating a women approached him and asked Mick if she could sit at the table please do Mick replied. But she was curious and asked Mick when he arrive at Riverview. He told he last night Mick then asked her how long was she here and she replied three weeks ago. What’s you name? Sam asked. Mick he replied and yours my apologies Samantha but people just call her Sam. Are you married? She asked. I was Mick replied but we’re separated now. Then Mick got curious and asked Sam what it was like being in here? Ah well she said the staff the friendly and the food is good so I can’t complain. Did you get your happy pills yet? Said jokingly. No not yet Mick replied. What are the tablets we are taking? Mick asked out of curiosity. There happy pills man Sam replied. But what do they do ? Mick asked. There for withdraws and depression as you come off the fix she replied. But I’m not depressed Mick told her. Believe me love you need them in here and if you don’t take them then you won’t get better.
Then there was silence but Mick then asked what do we do after breakfast? We have group therapy Sam replied what do you do at group therapy? Mick asked. Well! Sam replied we do stuff like Art and Craft or we can do relaxation or do nothing at all she smiled. Well do I must do? Mick said to her. I must go out for a cigarette .Do you smoke? Mick asked Sam re do she replied. So they went outside and lit there cigarette. There was silence then Mick asked Sam how many times have you been here? This is my third time she replied. I Presume this is your first? She asked. Yes Mi ck replied. They then decided to walk the grounds. How big is this place? Mick asked. If you’re thinking about doing a runner I would think again she replied. Believe me the police would bring you back.
Then the conversation went on to family and Sam asked Mick if he had any children? I have two Mick Replied a boy and one girl. Really Sam replied and how old are they? Patrick is ten and Amy is eight. How about yourself are you married? Mick said jokingly. God No! I had the sense never to get married. To be honest I just never found the right person to be with. Sam then asked Mick what time is it? Half ten Mick replied
Why? We do communication skills on a Wednesday self- Awareness on a Thursday and personal hygiene on a Friday. How about Monday and Tuesday Mick asked we do computer skills on a Monday and a Yoga on a Tuesday afternoon. And here I was thinking that we’ll be smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee all day what a bomber they both laughed. Why did you end up in here? Sam asked. Well Mick told her I lost y family my job well basically everything I owned. I couldn’t pay the mortgages because I had lost my job to my addiction. God that’s awful. I must get clean so I’ll be able to see and provide for my children again. But what will you do after you leave here? Well I’m hoping to get another job and get a flat somewhere in the city. How about you? Well I have no family and I’ll probably end up in the streets again or end up back in here again
You could always stay with me if you want Mick told her. God No! I wouldn’t like to be a burden you would be don’t worry. Then they headed towards the sitting room when one of the nurses called Mick over Cani have a word with you Michael? No worries. We believed you sneaked some alcohol onto the premises last night. I didn’t I swear.so you don’t mind us searching your room? No Mick replied. So theynt into the bedroom and found an empty bottle. That’s not mine Mick told them so you’re telling me that you know nothing about this empty bottle? No I don’t Mick said angrily. Watch your tone with me one of the nurses told him. So Mick goes back to the lounge and Sam asks what happening? The nurses found an empty whiskey bottle in my bedroom. But how did It get there? Sam asked I really don’t know Mick replied.
So Mick went to the office and told the nurses that he didn’t bring alcohol with him that it’s a misunderstanding. Then explain to me how the whiskey bottle end up in your bedroom? How am I suppose to know Mick said in a sarcastic voice. But then he decided to leave and Sam said to him how about your children? Where are you going to go? Where my feet take me he told her. Mick left the centre and was heading down the country roads and he started to cry. He knew he was never going to see his children again and he went back to where he first started
Written By Denis Michael O Sullivan
All stories© October 2018
