29. Second Chance or Same Chance a Second Time?

The next day Tigger was sitting in front of the building, talking to Phil and Sam.  He wasn’t chain-smoking or pacing, which made me wonder what was wrong.

“It’s my ex,” Tigger said.  He told me a little about their relationship.  “I totaled Tim’s Porsche. He said things don’t matter, people do.  While he was on a business trip, I left our house unlocked for a week while I stayed with friends.  Thieves took everything, including some family heirlooms.  He said that’s why we have insurance.  We bought a riverfront condo and dock.  I crashed our boat and almost drowned.  He didn’t say anything.  I asked him if he was glad I was OK.  He said I wasn’t OK, and he couldn’t watch me destroy myself anymore.  I had to get help or get out.  I didn’t think I needed help, so I moved into the warehouse.  When the warehouse burned, I thought he’d take me back, at least until I got on my feet again.  I haven’t heard from him.  All I want is a second chance.”

“You don’t want a second chance,” I said.  “You want the same chance with him a second time.”

“He owes me that much,” Tigger insisted.

“I’m sorry but I gotta disagree.  Counting the Porsche, the robbery, and the boat, you’re asking for the same chance a fourth time. Nobody owes you that.  People who shake off an addiction, get out of an abusive relationship, maybe survive some trauma, they owe themselves a second chance at happiness. Get clean and sober and give yourself that second chance.”

Today I will remember nobody owes me the same chance a second time,

but I might owe myself a second chance.

Writing My New Story © 2015 by Ken Montrose

(Just a reminder: Writing My New Story is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to anyone you might know is purely coincidental.)

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