82. Rules Not Meant To Be Broken

While I was talking to The Kid, Marjorie wandered inside.  Ten minutes later she burst through the double doors with Bitsi (Bridget The Super Intern) in hot pursuit.  Bitsi told Marjorie she couldn’t stay in outpatient treatment with a BAC of .16.  Marjorie said she’d drive herself home, and headed toward her car.  Just then The Other Ken came out and told Marjorie she could go inpatient, that he’d arranged a bed for her. She told him where he could go, she was going home, and we couldn’t stop her.  The Other Ken said if she got behind the wheel, he’d have to call the police.

“Can’t!” Marjorie said, smirking and swaying.  “You gotta follow confidentiality rules.  You can’t say anything.”  The Other Ken told her confidentiality could be broken when a crime was being committed.  She flipped him off and drove away.  He went inside to call the police.

Bitsi and I exchanged sad looks.  Not obeying one rule by driving drunk, and not understanding the confidentiality rule, might cost Marjorie dearly.  She was likely to get another DUI, lose her husband, and probably her job. 

“It’s ironic,” Bitsi said, “She liked to complain how younger addicts bent and played with the rules during her last inpatient stay.”

Today I will remember some rules are not to be played with.

Sober Not Somber © 2015, 2016 by Ken Montrose

(Just a reminder: Sober Not Somber is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to anyone you might know is purely coincidental.)