the downward spiral

”Valentine,” her soft voice somehow managing to cover the distance between them. He turned to face her and noted her tears. ”I need help.” Yes, yes she did. That had been apparent to him for some time but you couldn’t help someone who didn’t want it, so he’d let her be and hoped she would bring herself to reason.

Though he wanted to scoop her up and wipe the tears from her eyes, his gut told him it wasn’t the right approach. Rhythm was a grown ass woman. She’d gotten herself into this mess and he wasn’t about to hold her hand and try to help her wish the problem away. Kisses and snuggles did not fix this problem.

Valentine took a deep breath and then said, ”Alright.” Where to start? He couldn’t leave the kids alone with the skunk or cats and he wasn’t sure he trusted Rhythm on her own. So what the fuck did he do.

”This is what we’re going to do,” he said in a tone that suggested there would be no dissent. ” I’m going to take you back to the den under the tree.” She wasn’t sobering up around the kids. ”Where, if you mean it, you’re going to stay until you’re sober. Zahir and Lefty will stay with you and get you whatever you need.” Unlike the bird who was too small to be of much good, both the cat and the skunk were equipped with the means to keep the old woman in line.

He swallowed hard as he looked at her, but was determined to be firm so he said or did neither of the things he wished to. Firm. He was going to stand firm.  ”And then we will talk.”