What a hell of a time to give up smoking….
So I called the parents and decided to not to go for ranting panic. I told them “Riley really needs help with a wee bit of damage to the car.” So the parent’s casually stopped by and then flipped out a bit. Then they went into fast action mode.
They called John and asked to meet him at the Starbucks right on the corner where the hospital is. So when he finally showed up, they made him sit with Riley at the emergency room. She was wearing her glasses when he hit her and they were afraid some of the glass got into her eye. It didn’t… whew… She did need stitches, 7 of them. She got a tetanus booster too. The car has to be towed to my friend’s garage in the morning.
John wasn’t lying when he was 100% surprised at what happened to our sister. I’m told he first asked, “Who did this to you?” He was so blacked out he had NO memory of any of it. He’s been driving around that drunk. Our parents took the car from him. He’s been living in it because his girl friend kicked him out last week. He’s on leave of absence from his job.
They’ve been sitting in the emergency room at Swedish Ballard most of the day. I marvel at my parent’s cunning; they specifically took Riley there because the detox and rehab at Swedish Ballard is just across the street from emergency. While my sis was sitting with Mom in the emergency waiting room, Dad was getting some clothing packed and insurance papers ready for John. But he had to walk through those doors on his own power.
So the intervention was held at the waiting room. I got there a little later in the afternoon and they had scared some people away. Nurses stopped by during some of the louder bits and offered help and advice.
But he finally admitted he needed help. It was when Riley told him she still loved him but she couldn’t be his friend anymore if he was going to be physically abusive … Contact. Finally. He admitted he’s been drinking for YEARS and doing a bit of coke or meth to not seem so drunk all the time.
I just got the phone call… He walked across the street on his own power. He’ll be in for a hell of a month, and it won’t be easy when he’s out, but at least this healing process has finally started.
@BarbieBf… thank you from me, I wasn’t sure if I was going to bring the parents in on this one. Riley was so calm and cool I wasn’t sure if it was that big a deal. But I took your advice…
@77Nick77… Thank you from Riley. She read your post about maybe loosing an eye or maybe some teeth and she FINALLY stood up to John. I can’t believe she did, but for the first time in years, she finally stood up to him. I just got my Christmas present right there.
This is going to be an odd Christmas, but it will be better in the long run. Thank you all. For your advice and input.