Leaving Yesterday Read Online Free

okay? Where are you?” I tried to remember Lacey’s words, to convince myself that even if he were arrested, it really could be the best thing for him.
    “I’m fine. I’m in Orange County.”
    “You’re where?”
    “Mom, I’m in rehab.”
    Rehab. Oh, the hope that had remained buried beneath the word prodigal for so long burst forth like a ray of sunshine after years of rain. “I knew it! I knew it would happen. Oh, Kurt, I am so proud of you. How long have you been there? How are you doing? Can I come see you?”
    His laugh sounded weak. “Whoa there, Mom, take it easy.” I heard him take a couple of deep breaths, then he continued. “I’ve been here for a little bit. I’ve finished the detox process.” He gave a low whistle. “That memory’ll keep me clean the rest of my life.”
    “It must have been awful.” I’d seen enough about withdrawals and the like to know it had been terrible. I pictured my son shaking, sweating, crying out in pain. Still, a part of me was grateful for it, if the memory of it helped keep him clean.
    “It was hard—this call’s even harder.” I could hear him take another breath. “I’m sorry. For the drugs and the lies, and for going off the deep end at the time when you needed me most. I shouldn’t have let you face that alone.”
    Alone . Kurt didn’t even know his father hadn’t lived here for the last few months, and yet he’d said the word alone . That’s how far we must have fallen as a family.
    “Oh, Kurt, you’re forgiven. When can I see you?”
    “They tell me I’ll be an in-patient for maybe six or eight more weeks. When I start to get out, I’ll give you a call.” A muffled voice sounded in the background. “Oh, time’s up. I’ve got to go. Love you, Mom.”
    “Wait—” But I was too late. The line went dead. He’d hung up the phone before I had the chance to find out where he was, the phone number there, or even a second to voice a response. I stared at the wall trying to ignore the ache in my chest. In spite of everything that had happened, he knew I loved him with all my heart, even if he’d hung up before I could say it. Right?
    Almost immediately, I picked it back up and pressed the button for the caller ID. At least I’d know where to call him. The screen lit behind the black lettering of the display.
    Private Caller.
    I sank onto my bed exhausted, trembling. A few moments with my son was more than I’d had in over a year, but all I wanted now was more. But I had no way of reaching Kurt, of finding out where he was, checking on his progress. In that moment I vowed that this would never happen again. I walked around the house and made sure there was a pen and paper in every room. The next time Kurt called, I would ask for his number and write it down before we talked about anything else. I just hoped there would be a next time.
    “Mom, aren’t you ready? I’m going to be late for school.” Caroline stood in the doorway, her fists pressed against her hips.
    I ran to her and threw my arms around her. “Oh, sweetie.”
    She pushed away and looked up at me. “What’s got you acting so weird?”
    “Kurt just called. He’s getting well.”
    “Kurt’s coming home?” She threw her arms around me and squealed in that high-pitched way only a ten-year-old girl can.
    Her immediate assumption that he would be coming home took me aback. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything to her about this yet, but everything inside of me screamed that she was right. I reached down, picked her up, and swung her in a circle. Together, we began to chant, “Kurt’s coming home, Kurt’s coming home.” And every time we said the words, I came to believe them just a little more.
    Through a miracle of speed, determination, and sheer luck, I managed to drop Caroline at the front of the school with two minutes to spare. I watched her skip toward the door, her blond hair bouncing with each step.
    A small voice of worry kept whispering in my head, saying