Page 46 of Dark Side of the Cloth (The Righteous 1)
“I want you to say it.”
“Say what?”
Dean leaned forward in a sudden motion, and Jeremy screamed the loudest yet. “Fuck me! Tell me what you want me to say.”
“Do you want to die?”
“Yes, but…” Dean dropped him a little again. “I mean, no.”
“What was that? I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you.” Dean smiled.
“No! No, I don’t want to die, okay! I… I want to live, just not like this.”
“You said you’d put the gun in your mouth. Was that true?” Dean asked. The answer didn’t come fast enough for him, so he pulled back and then dropped Jeremy a solid foot.
“Ahhhhh—Noooo…Fuck!”
“So if you were given another way to live, a second chance at a better life, would you take it?”
“Yes!”
“Would you work your ass off?”
“Yes!”
“Are you sure? I can’t hear you,” Dean tested.
“Fuck yes!”
“The correct answer is, yes, Sir.”
“Yes, Sir!” Jeremy yelled.
Satisfied, Dean walked backward until he pulled Jeremy back over the ledge. The guy was shaking like a leaf, tears streaming down his face as he sat curled up with his arms around his knees. Dean walked forward and squatted down in front of the kid to untie the rope.
“You, son, are one lucky SOB. You may not realize it right this moment, but what I’m going to offer you will change your life forever. But, you must be willing to go through the hard shit. The withdrawals, the fear, and even confessing all your sins and pain. If you can walk away from the demons that have brought you to this moment and become a man, you will have what you really want.”
“What’s that?”
“A chance to be a better person. A life that will allow you to look in the mirror and feel pride.” Jeremy looked away from his eyes and wiped the tears off his cheeks.
“You’re one fucking crazy priest, Mister.”
Dean laughed and stood, offering his hand to Jeremy. “That is not even up for debate, son. I most certainly am.”
“Now, there are three things you must agree to first. Make sure you’re paying attention. None of these are negotiable.” Jeremy’s eyes were glued to his face. “First, you will attend rehab, one of my choosing, and you will not leave there until I say you’re ready. Second, before you head to rehab, you will come with me to the hospital and apologize to Mabel for what you did to her. Once you are out of rehab as your penance, you will help her in the restaurant doing whatever she asks until I say otherwise.”
“I see a common theme here.” Jeremy crossed his arms over his chest.
“You catch on quick. Third, and this is very important. You must agree to complete secrecy about me and my involvement because if you do not follow through, if you break any of the conditions, I will slit your throat. I promise you that, and I always keep my promises.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re not a very good salesman?” Jeremy asked, his face as white as snow on the rooftop.
Dean laughed hard and held out his hand. “Let’s go get you that second chance.”
Jeremy looked at the hand for a moment and then slowly reached up, pausing just before their hands touched. “You’re not going to put me back over the ledge, or something, are you?”
Dean laughed again. “No, not tonight, but there’s always tomorrow.”
“That’s not even fucking funny.” Jeremy clasped his hand.
“First rule. Don’t swear to your superior. That will get you put back over the ledge.”
Jeremy swallowed hard, but the kid had balls—he stood a little straighter and nodded.
Dean might be crazy for doing this, but it felt right. It felt like he was paying it forward and like it was time he took on a protégé. But, first the kid needed to get clean, which meant a trip to Morry’s rehab clinic. Plus, the middle of butt fucking nowhere, off the books, boot camp would either make Jeremy or break him.
