Part 110 Addictions


That evening I manage to break the kids’ “Pirates of the Caribbean” addiction by introducing them to a new set of movies that will instantly become Brooke’s new addiction: the fantastic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. I am a little hesitant to let them view this, for fear that the orc creatures will scare Brooke in particular. Both she and her sister are enthralled, though, and just want more.

Easter morning comes with all its glory. I try to contribute by singing in the choir. Bree walks across the room and hugs me as the congregation passes the peace. That afternoon my parents, my niece, and her daughter and husband come over for lunch. We have gumbo and brownies, and I am able to tentatively eat a little. Everyone is in a great mood, elevated by the moment. That evening the kids and I continue the “Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings” film.

The next morning I am greeted at the mailbox by more medical bills. I am starting to dread even checking the mail at all these days. Brooke and I watch “Rings: The Two Towers”. She is riveted to the screen, turning away only when the pathetic creature Gollum is onscreen. (She has her limits, it seems). We finish that movie the following day, and she retains her excitement.

A few days later things get bizarre on me. I wake up and immediately run to the bathroom to vomit. At work, I briefly pee a stream of blood before it clears to normal. I am tired all day, either from the stent or the pain medicine (or both). I still go to softball practice and pitch, determined to participate in my child’s life and not be dragged down by all of this. We watch part of LOTR “Return of the King” at night.

To get myself checked out, I visit my urologist, who performs a urine test and my annual prostate check (he will later inform me that those results look fine). We watch most of “Return of the King” in the evening.

Saturday morning Bree throws a huge fit over something minor. At the onset of her softball game, a team mate criticizes her fielding on a play, sending her again into tears. Breanna later is called back to the plate after running down the baseline (the ball was called foul), started crying again, and walked to the dugout, refusing to continue her at bat. I am livid, being both the team pitcher and her dad. Somehow I coax/threaten her back to bat, and she manages to get a hit and score a run that inning. She follows later with another hit and run scored. But she grounds out her last at bat and sobs again. The game is soon over and our team loses a third time, 20-13, to our apparent nemesis, the Angels. Again, the team has a strong offensive showing, but we are outgunned. Bree cries once more and refuses to join the congratulatory line to high five the opponents. Some days just go this way – my daughter is learning this life lesson.

A bright spot, though. Everyone is tired but thrilled when we conclude watching “The Lord of the Rings”. Before we can let out a sigh, though, Brooke wants to start the whole saga again!