Worse than Before

My interpretive short story on Matthew 12:43-45

Fresh out of rehab, Shawn was ready for his sophomore year in college. His parents were proud of his progress, but didn’t see the fire that comes with a repentant soul and heart. They helped him unpack and prayed over the apartment.

“We’re proud of you and keep your faith close and don’t let anything hold you back,” said his father.

“Don’t worry Dad. I know the twelve steps and found a sponsor in this area. I’ll be alright.”

“Good, but don’t forget your sponsor in Heaven,” said his mom as she pulled his face close and kissed him just below his newly cut hairline.

With confidence in the twelve steps, he said sure to appease and ushered them outside. He waved goodbye and watched in excitement as they drove away.

  Shawn went inside and looked through the living room window to see his university across the street. The young man contemplated health, wealth, and success for the year and started looking for a roommate. He used an app and searched for someone with similar interests and filtered the results with students in their second year. He clicked the profile of a sophomore and sent off his request. Soon as he looked away from his phone, a notification rang and startled him. “Hey Shawn. When can we meet? Allen G.”

“How about tomorrow at nine a.m.?”

“See you then,” Allen wrote. Elated, he ate in celebration because the search was over before it started.    

Allen knocked on Shawn’s apartment door, and the two exchanged pleasantries. Shawn asked, “I see you’re wearing a cross. Are you super religious? It’s cool, but my parents were, and I need a break from it.”

“Oh, god no. This is just a family heirloom from Korea. My mom gave it to me when I was a freshman. If I video chat with her and she doesn’t see it, she’ll flip.”

“Looks like your parents and mine should have a convention. Come on in,” said Shawn.   

Upon seeing the well-arranged living room, Allen lowered his gaze and said,

“I guess this will do.” Shawn discerned his hesitation and said,

“We can change it to fit both of us.”

“No, it’s cool. It’s just that I lived here last year and it’s just not the same.”

Wanting to get this done so he could get ready for the first day of college, Shawn said, “Ok, cool. Shall I get you a key?”   

After rearranging the living room, the roommates bonded well until Shawn came home one day and noticed that Allen had company. One was a woman who sat with her hands resting in her lap while the other was a man who laid back on the living room couch with his feet on the table. He saw Shawn’s angst, but stared at him and said, “Hi.”

“Are you high?” said Shawn.

“No. No. I’m Peirce and I’m not high yet. Who are you?”

Shawn raised his eyebrow and gazed at Allen. Unfazed, Allen introduced them to Shawn, ignoring the tension. “Can you get your feet off my table? My parents gave me that?” Attempting to ease the issue, Allen offered Shawn a beer, unknowingly pressing the buttons of Shawn’s battle with alcoholism. Shawn took it because he didn’t want to be seen in a certain way and reminded himself of the twelve steps.

As the liquid touched his lips, Shawn’s resolve wavered. Once a symbol of stagnation, the beer bottle became a doorway for the demons he naively invited back in. With each sip, the spiritual void within him expanded the distance between who he was and who he wanted to be. His sobriety dissolved like Saudi sand and so did everything he learned in rehab. He sipped until the beer was gone. Along with his sobriety.