CHAPTER 24
A.J. entered Alan's office, and after a quick hello to everyone, he stood next to Monica as she began to explain about Alan.
"I've called you here to let you know that Alan was admitted to the hospital this morning."
"What?!" Edward and Ned said simultaneously. "What happened?" Edward continued.
Monica looked at A.J. who nodded encouragingly.
"This isn't easy for me to say, but we've recently learned that Alan has become addicted to the pain medication he's been taking since his hand surgery."
"Monica, have you lost your mind?!" Edward demanded. "Who's this 'we'?"
"Actually, A.J. brought it to my attention. I began noticing the signs, but I couldn't get through to Alan. And to a lesser extent, Emily knew something wasn't right, also."
"No offense, Monica, but I would hardly take Junior's word that something was wrong with Alan," Ned said condescendingly.
"Why wouldn't you?" A.J. challenged. He had decided before he entered the room that he would not be pushed around. Especially by Ned. "I would think even you, Ned, would have to realize I would know when someone was under the influence of something."
"This is preposterous!" Edward said. "Alan is fine. He goes to work everyday, he makes sense when he talks. *I* haven't seen any of the signs."
"A.J. has a different story, Edward. I want you to listen to him and *hear* him."
Edward, Ned, and Justus looked at each other but didn't say anything.
"I wasn't in the hospital these past few days only for food poisoning," A.J. began. "While that was the initial diagnosis by Dad, when he medicated me for the food poisoning, he gave me medicine I was allergic to. The allergic reaction is what caused me to be hospitalized."
"I'm sorry to hear that, A.J.," Edward said, his tone more subdued, "But I still don't see how that makes Alan an addict. Mistakes happen. I'm sure he explained his actions and took full responsibility."
"No, Grandfather, he didn't!" A.J. said emphatically. "You couldn't be further from the truth. Tell them, Mom."
"A.J. talked to me after they brought him in, and he told me that both he and Keesha, who was with A.J. when Alan examined him, sensed Alan's behavior was questionable. A.J. told me I should ask Alan about the pain pills he's always popping. I didn't know what he was talking about, but I soon found out. I discovered the pills in his office and took them. He attacked me last night in our bedroom because I told him I'd thrown his pills away."
"I saw him," Emily spoke up. All eyes turned to her. "I suspected something, but I wasn't sure what could be wrong. When I saw Dad's face last night and how he had Mom in a vise grip, I knew it had to be drugs or alcohol. If you had seen his eyes, Grandfather, you would have known it, too."
"Oh my..." Edward said, slumping down on the table where he was seated. Ned placed his hands on his grandfather's shoulders to steady him.
"It'll be all right, Grandfather. We can take of this."
"I hope you're talking about the peripheral issues, Ned," A.J. said pointedly, "Because the only one who can take care of Dad is Dad."
"I know that," Ned snapped, growing weary of A.J.'s contradictions. "We don't need *you* lecturing to us about the twelve steps."
"Speaking of the twelve steps," Edward said, looking straight at A.J. "How do we know you weren't drinking the night Alan examined you? Hmmm? Maybe *that's* what caused the allergic reaction or whatever it was."
"It's sooo convenient, isn't it, to look at my son and point the finger." Monica's tone was icy. "But A.J. has been sober since April. The night of his supposed slip in August was a set up by a very manipulating woman named Carly Roberts. I'll leave it to A.J. to provide details *if* you care to know more. But I want it understood this is about Alan and his addiction, not A.J.'s."
"Thanks, Mom."
"What help do you need, Monica?" Justus asked, disgusted with Edward and Ned's conduct.
"My immediate concern is to issue a statement before rumors run rampant. But I don't want any mention of the pills. Can you put together a statement for me about Alan needing rest from stress, exhaustion, something along those lines?"
"You got it."
"Thanks. Edward, can you and I meet with the Board once Justus puts the statement together to let them know what we're doing?"
Edward nodded.
"Until Alan feels better and can talk with us openly, there's not much more we can do. I appreciate all of you being here. I wish I could say we'll all pull together to help Alan, but since I know that'll never happen, I won't bother."
Ned and A.J. looked at each other, but neither one spoke.
"I would like to see my son," Edward said, rising from the desk.
"I'll take you to him," Monica said.
"I'll go with you," Ned said.
"I'll get to work on the statement, Monica. I'll page you when it's ready."
Monica nodded. After giving Emily and A.J. a hug to thank them for their support, she left with Edward and Ned.
"A.J.," Emily said when they were alone, "I'm sorry about Dad and the medication."
"Thanks, Emily. It was one of those unfortunate things that happen in life. But maybe it happened to bring Dad's addiction to light."
Emily nodded. "Do you think he'll admit he has a problem?"
"I do. I'm not saying it'll happen today, although it might, but before long, he will realize he needs help."
"I'm glad to hear you've been sober since April. You've helped my resolve to stay clean."
A.J. hugged Emily. "You've done so well on your own. I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks. I hope we can help Dad."
"We will, Emily, we will," A.J. said, more to convince himself than Emily.
They looked at each other, knowing Alan was going to need all the help they could give.