Into the Dark of Night | Part 10 - Quacking Like a Duck

Continued from Part 9 - Trouble In New York

No, indeed Nick was not alright.

Nick is, for all intents and purposes, a very private man. He always has been, and I think in some ways a lot of us are. We are used to keeping secrets. Secrets that make us sick from the inside out. Secrets that aid in the destruction of our sobriety.

And I was no better. At that moment, as Mark, my friend from New York City, sat silent on the phone, I realized I'd been enabling Nick by helping him keep a secret. There I was worried about getting him into trouble with his friends and invading his sacred privacy that I continued with the cycle. Of course no one has confirmed a thing as of yet, and if was anyone else I wouldn't have put up with his behavior. I needed, no 'he' needed me to say something. Step up, be a friend. His erratic behavior was a telltale sign.

If I am right, then I have the chance to get Nick into a medical detox and hopefully help him save his life. If I am wrong. Well, then, I am wrong. At least I tried to do something. He would be mad for a while, but then one day he might look back, consider the spot he placed me in with his inconsistent actions, and move toward forgiveness. If that was necessary. And you know what? If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and acts like a duck, it probably is.

"No, I don't think he's alright at all, Mark."

"Is he using?" Mark asked, his voice tight, filled with concern.

"I think so," and then I explained the last month.

As was true with Mark when I knew him, he offered to help.

"Mark, just keep me posted if you hear from him. You've got your own sobriety to concentrate on right now. You'll need to keep your distractions to a minimum. I will keep you posted." Then I hung up, sighed, and picked up the phone again. It was a call I was dreading.

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