Free The Dopefiend by JaQuavis Coleman Page B

precaution, not trying to make the same mistake twice. Hazel also noticed that Seven’s television was back in its original spot. He greeted her without turning around.
    â€œMorning,” he said in his usual low tone.
    How does he do that? “Good morning. You mad at me?” Hazel asked, feeling ashamed of what she had done the previous day.
    â€œNo. Not mad at all. I already knew that was going to happen. I have been dealing with dopefiends all my life. I guess I just was hoping that I could change you in a day,” Seven said as he finished putting the first board up and wiping the sweat from his brow. Hazel felt horrible about what she had done and decided to give Seven an explanation.
    â€œSeven, can I ask you something?” Hazel said as she sat on the couch, watching him walk right past her. Seven didn’t have anything to say to Hazel and was making it obvious that he was trying to avoid eye contact with her. He knew that if he thought about her stealing from him, he would get upset at her disloyalty.
    â€œYeah, go ’head,” Seven said as he grabbed more nails that were on the kitchen table. When Seven walked past Hazel to return to drilling, she grabbed his hand.
    â€œSeven! Just stop for a minute. Do you know how it feels to crave heroin, huh?” Hazel asked as she gripped his hand tightly and began to tear up. The saddened look on her face made Seven lighten up, and he sat down on the couch next to her.
    â€œNo, I can’t say that I do.” “Well, it takes over your body. If it’s not in your system . . . it feels like you’re dying. Sometimes I can’t even control my bowel movements, Seven.” Hazel was giving him the ugly truth, not holding anything back while demonstrating complete humility. Hazel buried her face in her hands as the tears began to roll down her cheek. “I can’t help it. When I start getting that Jones, I don’t think straight. The only thing on my mind is getting that shit in my veins. I don’t care who I have to hurt, steal from, or betray to get it. I’m so sorry. I . . . . “Before she could even say the rest of her sentence she began to hyperventilate and cry like a newborn baby. She was breaking down right before Seven. He couldn’t help but to feel sorry for her. He replaced his hand on her back and then began to rub.
    â€œDamn,” he whispered to himself.
    â€œThis shit got a hold of me. I want to shake it so bad.”
    â€œI am going to help you get through this. But you have to help me help you. I can’t hold you down if you steal and lie,” he whispered, but spoke just loud enough for her to hear him. Seven knew that he would have to be more hands-on in helping her with her recovery. He went and got the phonebook, searching for professional help for Hazel. He knew he couldn’t do it alone.
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    GiGi was acting overly nice to Hazel as she sat in the living room with her watching a movie. Seven had asked her to come over and take Hazel shopping while he made a run up the highway. Seven left GiGi with $3,000 for Hazel, but Hazel only saw 500 of the dollars. The rest went in GiGi’s pocket. Nevertheless, Hazel was appreciative and she got some nice clothes with the money. Hazel couldn’t understand why GiGi was acting so nice to her and chalked it up to a change of heart. Hazel was wary at first, but then after a couple of hours she got comfortable with GiGi. GiGi began to quiz Hazel about her and Seven’s relationship. Hazel told her truth, stating that it was like a brother and sister relationship: nothing more, nothing less. After hours of sneak interrogating throughout the day, GiGi couldn’t come up with any anything incriminating in stone, so she grew angrier by the second. GiGi had a jealous streak a mile long and was determined to get Hazel out of Seven’s life. I hate this li’l bitch. I don’t know what Seven sees in her