Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 121 Happier

*James*

Paul is the one to get me up and ready this morning, letting Julia sleep a little more. At first, I say nothing. Mainly because I don't know what to say. I really had no idea Paul had any interest in Julia. To hear he has been in love with her all this time is a little shock to the system.

"Are you pissed at me, Gallo? Is that why you're not talking?" Paul asks while squeezing toothpaste on my toothbrush for me.

 I don't answer and decide to brush my teeth first.  But I can't be mad at the guy. It seems like everyone is in love with Julia these days. Not only that, but I've also known Paul for a long time. He may be a quiet and mysterious man, but he's a good man. A man who has helped me out tremendously, taken me under his wing, showed me the ropes of being a bodyguard and manning the 4th floor for extra cash for my family. He's a man that would be good for Julia.

"I'm not pissed, Paul. Ju-just surprised is all. You're good at hiding shit."

The bodyguard shrugs.

"But I swear to God, if I hear you two knocking boots I'm punching you." I squint my eyes at him, getting a little smirk before Paul moves on to get Mike up. Mike, who really doesn't look too hot this morning, doesn't have a choice but to go to the a.m. session. Trevor walks us down.

This morning's session doesn't really pertain to me but I go anyways. Sometimes Cara will sit next to Mike and I, depending on her mood, sometimes she sits alone with her nurse. She looks about as good as Mike right now. They are both detoxing hard along with the rest of the people in here.

Today the poor thing decides to sit alone. She brings her knees up to her chest on the chair and buries her head, not wanting anything to do with today's session. The topic is about marriage and the struggles couples go through when one or both are addicts. The counselor is a middle aged heavyset black woman who speaks softly and looks like the type who would make your whole day better with one hug from her.

If anything, Julia and Nate could use some of her advice on couples and addiction. The woman, Mary, stresses on how it's a trillion times more difficult to get involved with an addict when you yourself have addiction issues. It's frowned upon here at the Avalon big time, Jeremy has made that one clear to Julia and Mike.

"This is lame." I hear Cara say, getting a nasty look from her nurse. Cara never cares though. I will have to make it a point to go visit her today. She could use a friend.

We get through the session and Jeremy pulls Trevor aside for a meeting, so Mike walks with me back to the apartment, opening doors I can't open and such.

"You slept through it all last night, didn't you?" I ask while we make our way down the hall.

"I'm fucking tired all the time lately, bud. Why? What happened??"

"There was a bit of a blowout. Nate came by and caught Julia and Paul kissing." I explain, making Mike stop in his tracks hearing this.

"For real?? Ok, I didn't see that one coming."

"Yeah, so, today may be a little.... tense. I don't know if Nate will come back or what's going on really but just wanted to warn you ahead of time. You know, in case Julia goes off the deep end." I laugh. "We'll have to make light of things."

*******

*Trisha*

I wiped out Nate's entire schedule for today. The last thing I want to deal with are people. Especially Richard, since we had a meeting scheduled with him, Grant Berkeley, and possibly Mila. I didn't even call or text Richard. I just flat-out crossed off every meeting on the shared calendar app with no reason given. He'll chew me out about it later, but I don't really care right now.