6. Glad You Came
When I got home, my wife had made a pot of sphaghetti sauce and invited my sister over.  After dinner my wife said I looked a little down.

"Just thinking about how much my parents liked coming for dinner," I said. "They loved you, loved your cooking."

She hugged me.  "I miss them too," she said with a smile. "I miss your mother, and it's too long between your father's visits.  Not gonna let that keep me from enjoying the people who are here.  You shouldn't either."

Today I will enjoy the company of people who are around, even as I miss those that aren't.

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

5.  You Can't Hear Me
Later that day I had a chance to talk to the scowling young man.  His name was Roy, and he was really unhappy about his second DUI.  He was in danger of losing his drivers license and his job.   He blamed everyone but himself for his predicament.  What angered him most was having to go to treatment with 'real drunks and junkies.' That he blamed on us.

"If you hadn't been driving drunk, you wouldn't be here," I pointed out.

"And if the cops were out catching drug dealers instead of hassling drivers," he snarled, "there'd be a lot less addicts, and you'd have to get a real job."

I could have argued further, but I knew he was too  angry to hear me then.  Rather than argue further,  I decided to wait for another day.

Today I won't argue with people too angry to hear me.  

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

4. Emotional Alchemist

As he walked away, a cigarette already hanging from his scowling mouth, I thought about something a friend often said.  ‘God must love jackasses ‘cause he made so many of ‘em.  Might as well learn to live with ‘em and laugh at ‘em.’  My friend was particularly good at not letting hostile, rude people bother him. His knack for turning their anger into humor was a skill I thought I’d need  in the coming days.

Today I will try to turn anger into humor.

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

3. Success

Anne told me she was really struggling not to smoke.  She said, “Work was the hardest. When I got there, my friends were smoking in front of our building. Halfway through the morning, a bunch of them took a smoke break.  After lunch they had a cigarette, and another in the afternoon.  They smoked walking to their cars after work. I haven’t smoked in a week, but Lord knows I want to.”

I said, “But you haven’t, and that reminds us both people overcome all kinds of bad habits and addictions.” She asked me if I really needed a reminder.  I told her seeing people succeed helped me stay sober.  Seeing people struggle reminded me it was easier to stay sober than to get sober.

The young man said, “Hey, tell Josh I’m gonna grab a cigarette.” He looked at Anne and added, “I’ll smoke one for you.”  I was starting to dislike him.

Today I will be grateful for other people’s success.

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

2. Promise?

The woman’s name was Anne. She told me she’d called the rehab an hour after she found out she was pregnant. Because of the holiday weekend she’d had to wait a week for an evaluation.  I asked her how she was feeling.

“I’d push you under a bus for a cigarette,” she said. I thought she might be kidding.  She shrugged, smiled broadly, and added, “I’d do just about anything for a glass of wine right now, but I promised myself if I ever got pregnant, I’d quit.  I never really believed I would, but here I am, keeping my promise.”

“Well ain’t you just Mother freakin’ Teresa,” the skinny young man with the straw-like hair muttered.  Anne ignored him.

Today I will make a promise and keep it.

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

1. A Single Misstep

When I got to work that day, three  people sat in our tiny waiting room.  Two were filling out forms, waiting for their appointments with an evaluator.  One was supposed to be at the nearby offices of another rehab with a similar sounding name.  One looked  beaten down, with dark circles under his eyes, straw-like hair, and hunched posture.  He could have used more than a few pounds.   The third smiled as she filled out the form.  My guess was she'd had a hard time getting into treatment, and was relieved to get started.

I said, "You got started and it gets better.  That's what counts."

The older gentleman who was supposed to be somewhere else said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single misstep." We both laughed.

Today I'll accept my journey may start with a misstep.

Life on Life's Terms III (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Life on Life's Terms III is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

74. Change
A little over a month later, Mikey got his first thirty-day clean AA key tag.  Sheila couldn’t have been more proud of him. Two of his golf buddies went to see him get his tag. Mikey’s friend Derrick thought Mikey had been sucked in by AA zealots and would drink again within a month.

Devin told his mother Lori had changed her plans.  They would both be going to Pitt in the fall.  Sheila was truly happy for them.

Tiffany played so well in Florida, she was invited to join an elite squad traveling to England.  The only downside was Tiffany prepared for her trip by speaking in an “‘orrible” cockney accent. Sheila had no idea why.

Repugnant started to lose weight.  Cats were supposed to be aloof, but Sheila noticed Repulsive hovering near his friend, restless but attentive.  The vet confirmed what the cat had sensed.  They buried Repugnant two days before Tiffany left for England.  Some would have thought them cold hearted, but they rescued a shelter dog the next day.

Change is often a mixed blessing, but today I will embrace it. 

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

73. Turning the Corner
As Tiffany packed her suitcase and her soccer bag, she felt the butterflies.  Girls from thirty states were playing in this tournament.  'Butterflies?' she asked herself.  'Dragons ready to burn and shred anybody that gets in their way.' The little villain couldn't wait to see what was around the corner in Florida.

After Devin spoke, Lori knew he understood.  Things were going to be different, just as she'd known they'd have to be if they were to stay together.  She pulled him close, happy but a little nervous about  what might be around the corner for their relationship.

Driving home from the evaluation, Mikey passed one of his favorite watering holes.  He thought about stopping in for a beer, just to prove he could have just one.  To his surprise his stomach knotted up as a wave of anxiety passed over him.  He knew he'd turned a corner, but he wasn't at all sure he liked it.

Today I will accept turning a corner may not feel great at first.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

72. Not Sure How I Feel About That

While Mikey was at his evaluation, Tiffany was packing for Florida, and Devin was off trying to patch things up with Lori.  Sheila felt a twinge of sadness, even though she knew they’d all be together again soon. 

When Sheila was growing up her mother had insisted everyone be happy. According to her mother unhappiness made her father drink and she didn’t want them triggering another binge.  The only time they were allowed to be anything other than happy was when her father was already angry or sad.  Then they had to be angry or sad, agreeing with whatever reason he had for being that way. Sheila spent years worrying she wasn’t feeling the way she should.  Worrying sucked the happiness from the good times and made the bad times worse.

As an adult, Sheila had learned not to judge how she felt.  She managed a smile, thinking, ‘the only reason I’m so sad is because they’re so much fun when we’re all together.’

Today I will enjoy the good times, deal with the bad, and not worry about how I’m supposed to feel.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazoHYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S"nHYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S".com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

71. Fearfully Reasonable
A few days later Mikey had an appointment with Josh, the evaluator from the nearest rehab.  Josh gave Mikey a form for describing his history of substance use.  As Mikey wrote and wrote, he became more and more uncomfortable.  When Mikey was done he handed the form across the desk to Josh.  Seeing the fear on Mikey’s face, Josh said, “I know a phlebotomist who passes out when he gets his blood drawn.  He draws blood all day – doesn’t bother him a bit.” 

“I don’t get your point,” Mikey said.

“It’s scarier when it’s personal.  I’ve seen too many people let that fear overcome reason.  They know people who beat whatever disease they have, but they freeze up like deer in headlights. They wait too long before taking reasonable steps to overcome their problems.  Don’t do that.  Take care of this problem now, no matter how scared you are.”

Today I won’t let fear overcome reason.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazoHYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S"nHYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S".com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

70.  Better Said Than Read
Devin pulled out his phone and began writing an apology to Lori.  Without making excuses, he made sure she knew he understood her point of view.  He told her how much he loved her.  He  spent over an hour getting the message just right.  Before he hit send, he knew, some things had to be done in person.

"At least I'll know what to say," he said out loud as he deleted the text.  "Still won't be easy."

Today I won't text  or email what I need to say face-to-face.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

69. Before You Say Anything...
Devin sat in his room, wishing he understood Lori. What the hell was her problem?  He thought about what he’d said and how she’d reacted.  He didn’t think he would have reacted that way.  Devin searched his memory for a similar situation.

During his junior year Devin had cracked a rib diving into the stands after a loose basketball.  While he was writhing in pain, a teammate had said, “Well there goes the playoffs.”  Devin had been furious.  Shouldn’t he have asked if Devin was OK?  Maybe thought of something other than his disappointment? Later Devin shrugged it off. That guy always talked before he thought.

Devin knew at the moment he should have thought of Lori before he spoke. ‘At least I didn’t mention PMS,’ Devin thought, remembering the last sexist remark that sent him deep into Lori’s doghouse.

Today I will think of others before I speak.   

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

68. Life’s Hallway
Tiffany stared at the tuba, feeling better, but still a little down. “Grandma says when ‘one door closes, another door opens,’” Tiffany said. “Do you believe that?”

“I think life’s better than that. When you close a door, turn your back on it and step into the hallway.  You’ll realize there are infinite doors.  Not all of them are open to you, but many, if not most, are. You’re young. You have the rest of your life to open doors.” Sheila hugged Tiffany. “Step into life’s hallway, kiddo.”

Today I will step into life’s hallway.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental. 

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

67. Something New
While Mikey was at the AA meeting, Tiffany sat in the basement,  glaring at her tuba.  Her mother hadn’t heard her play a note and came to investigate.

Tiffany said, “I hate the tuba, I hate tuba players, I hate tuba makers, and I hate the letters t-u-b-a.”

“Why don’t you give it up?” Sheila asked.

“’Cause I’m not a quitter!” Tiffany said, fighting back tears.

“Quitting one thing doesn’t make you a quitter. You’re a quitter if you quit the first time things get hard.   Or, you quit before you’ve given something a fair chance.  Or, you have a habit of quitting things.  That’s not you.  You tried, it didn’t work out, time to move on.”

“So I’m not a quitter?”

“Honey, give something new a fair shot.  If it doesn’t work out, then move on.  Otherwise you get caught between trying nothing new, or sticking to something you hate.”

Today I will try something new.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

66. Selfie
A week later Mikey went to his first AA meeting.  Rather than hiding in the back of a speaker meeting, he went to a discussion.  At the end he asked what taking an inventory was all about.

The woman to his left said, "My mother would call it 'a good, hard, look at yourself.'  The difference is you don't take an inventory only after you've done something you shouldn't have. You take an inventory every day."

"People don't take inventories anymore," the man on his right said. "They take selfies. They're more interested in how they look than who they are."

Mikey thought the man was being a little harsh, but he got his point.

Today I will take an inventory before I take a single selfie.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

65. Just Slipping By

Derrick called to tell Mikey he should go to AA meetings to get his slip signed.  Mikey didn't know what he meant.

Derrick said, "I'll fax you a sheet of paper.  It'll have blanks where you write down the day, time, and name of an AA meeting you attend.  At the end  of a meeting, you have the chairman sign it. It's called 'getting your slip signed.'  Go to speaker meetings.  I'll give you a list of big ones.  You can sit in the back and play with your phone."

"Shouldn't I pay attention, try to get something out of it?" Mikey asked.

"Just get the damn slip signed. That's all the judge is gonna look at." Derrick hung up.

As a principal Mikey had  seen a few teachers who  taught enough not to get fired, and students who did just enough to pass. Both frustrated and saddened him.  'Not gonna be a bare minimum, just enough to get by guy,' he said to himself. 'I'm gonna do more than get my slip signed.'

Today I will do more than get my slip signed.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

64. Reminders of What I Never Forgot
Through all the fighting and tension his drinking had caused, Mikey had never forgotten why he loved his wife and kids. He never needed to be reminded, but when he was, he was often overwhelmed. He had to hesitate a moment before he was able to speak.

Mikey said, “Don’t know why you love me so much.”

“Don’t know either,” Sheila replied.  “Just know I do.”

Today I will be grateful for those unnecessary reminders of why I love someone.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

63. Worth the Effort
Sheila was speechless at first. She kissed Mikey and put her head on his shoulder.  Finally she said, "I love you and I'm proud of you."

Mikey had expected her to say 'damn right you're going,' or 'it's about time.' "You're proud of me?' he asked. "I made an ass of myself, ran up five grand in fines and lawyer fees with more to come, and did seventy-five hundred dollars of damage to the Ford.  What would I have to do for you to be ashamed of me?"

"I'm proud because you're doing something about it. No matter what happens I want you to know I appreciate the effort."

Today I will let someone know I appreciate his or her effort. 

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

62. Dog Days, Dog Years
Sheila plopped down next to Mikey on the couch.  Repugnant, who had been curled up at Mikey's feet, climbed into Sheila's lap.

"How old is Repugnant?" Mikey asked.

Sheila said, "Hmm, we got him right before we replaced the furnace. Wow, that makes him ten. Seventy in dog years.  He's getting up there."

They sat in silence, both sadly pondering how fast a dog's life passes.  Mikey looked at Sheila, and not wanting to wait another day to make her happy, said, "I'm going to rehab."

Today I will live my life as if it were measured in dog years.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S

61. Right or Wrong
Half an hour into her practice session, Tiffany was certain of one thing.  She didn't want to play the tuba, ever.   She also didn't want to admit the band director was right.  She kept on practicing.

Sheila got home from running errands.  Mikey knew she'd be thrilled he'd made an appointment with the rehab.  Despite their recent arguments, he still loved to surprise her.  Putting a smile on her face warmed his heart.  He couldn't bring himself to tell her because he'd have to admit she was right.

Today I'll choosing being happy over being right, especially if I'm wrong.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S