Post 7: The Blood Boiling Intervention

The tension had been building for two years, though Mike wouldn’t admit it to even himself. Alcohol had crept into his life like a Boa constrictor, first climbing, then tightening its hold. It became his daily ritual, then his constant companion. His closest friends watched on the sideline and allowed his grieving to continue for two years.

As Mike was driving to Noah’s football game, his phone rang. His closest friend’s voice was calm but firm. “Mike, you need help. We’ve found a place in Florida for you to get treatment.”

Mike’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, fury building inside him. His friend’s concern felt like betrayal. How dare they assume he needed help? The thought of someone else trying to control his life ignited something dark in him.

“I don’t need your help!” Mike exploded. “I can handle this!” The anger dripped from every word as he unleashed a stream of curses, cutting the call short with a final, vicious threat.

His body trembled with the aftershock of his rage, but something else crept in—anxiety, maybe fear. It was the first time he admitted that he had a problem.

Here he was, at the crossroads. A right turn took him to the field.

Turning left - the liquor store.

What direction would he take? Was he ready? Would he take back those words of rage?

Current Progress

I‘ve started to make good progress. There is a large scar in the palm of his hand that is so important to my work and the story.

Intimate feelings about the story

This part of the story is such a tipping point in my mind. An intervention he wasn’t at all ready for but it did get the ball rolling in his mind. I really connect with the crossroads of his decision here. It’s particularly important and such a defining moment. The turn he takes is a solidification that he just isn’t ready to accept reality just yet.

I think this a feeling that we can all relate to in our life at some point or another. Like the proverbial 🖕🏻 moment. During my divorce, I felt this way.

During Covid I felt this way.

Defiant and angry but yet out of control of the things in my life.

About the Painting

I have started to make progress on the work again. I will have to fix that big smear that happened during travel. I might have to fix it sooner than later. It’s really bothering me.

I am also amazed at how much video I have to record in order to show you progress for only one minute. WOW. Basically, I need to be photographing and video recording nearly ever single minute I am working. Then, there is writing the story, editing and social media posts that is nearly taking just as much time as the actual painting. I keep track of my painting and I have now started to keep track of the time I spend doing all of the other stuff. I have to say, I am really enjoying it all. I am learning new things and I find the creative process of telling the story to you very fulfilling as well.

Feedback encouraged.

Collect early - Gigantic rewards.

By being a paid subscriber here, you have the opportunity to collect this work before it’s complete at a price with a HUGE reward. I will progressively increase the price of this work as I tell the story and complete more of the painting. IF you collect early, the painting will still be completed and the story will still be told, but you get to call it “Yours”. You will be the ONLY person to call it “Yours”.

Each Sunday, the cost of collecting this work will increase.

I have scheduled this work to take me 7 weeks. I have divided the story into 7 weeks as well as the progressive pricing. Collect early, save BIG!