Page 14 (1/2)

“Maybe he went out for a run,” I suggested

My brother used to be an ah school But now he used running as an escape from the constant therapy It was his self-prescribed medication This wasn’t the first time my mom hadn’t been able to find him

“He isn’t out for a run,” she snapped

“Did you call dad?”

She sighed “He doesn’t know anything He never helps Worthless”

I closedatTo jump back into the cycle that was my brother’s toxic pattern

He’d take his medication for a month or two and then think he was better and stop without telling anyone That’s when he started doing erratic things Hanging out with his ex-girlfriend again Blowing through my mom’s money

I couldn’t stay and watch it happen over and over I had been sucked into my brother’s proble and a doctor who doled out prescriptions every time one ran out

But ive a shit any his illness tear my family in half

I heard the bells chiet inside

“Moet a break at lunch I’ll check online and see if he’s posted anything Okay?”

“That’s it?” I could hear the hurt in her voice

I sighed “I’ It’sand try to help you find him He’s okay He always is” But in the back of my head I knew there was no way to be sure It’s what I told myself It’s what I told Mom every time Garrett did this

“And what if he’s not?” she pleaded

“Then, there isn’t anything I can do” I spoke quietly I hated saying it, but it was true What could I do to force my brother to take his meds? How could I make him keep his therapy appointments? How did I convince him that he had to face his illness?