Fawlty Showers

Prodigal Son Family Syndrome

I’d worked with a prodigal son named Michael.  His family loved and wanted the best for him, but subconsciously had reasons to sabotage his recovery.

His mother told me Michael’s drug use had severely strained her marriage.  I got the feeling if he stayed clean, she’d discover he wasn’t the cause of all their issues.  She developed a habit of leaving prescription bottles next to the kitchen sink.

His younger brother knew Michael getting clean would shift the spotlight to his drug use. He borrowed Michael’s jacket to go outside and smoke weed, leaving the smell on the fabric.    

Michael’s businessman father didn’t believe in therapy.  He’d call to ask about his son, but end up talking about his own life.  He took Michael out for a beer to celebrate kicking heroin.

They weren’t bad people, they just didn’t recognize they had reasons not to be happy about Michael’s recovery.

I advised Michael to remember they loved him, but accept they may need some time to like him getting better.

Today I will accept not everyone is going to like me getting better.

 

Fawlty Showers © 2020 by Ken Montrose

Fawlty Showers is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

·         www.greenbriartraining.com 

·         https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

·         https://www.pinterest.com/kenmontrose/mt-rose/