Methadone and a Mobile Phone

By Grace Underwood

In Methadone and a Mobile Phone, delve into the turbulent world of Melissa Jane, a woman ensnared by choices that lead her astray. As life’s winding path becomes a treacherous terrain, Melissa grapples with the weight of addiction, an affliction that touches countless souls globally.
While many bear the scars of this battle, the decision to heal and rise is deeply personal. Melissa, tethered to methadone’s deceptive solace, overlooks the commitment needed to truly reclaim herself, descending further into the abyss of her own making.
A poignant reflection on the fragility of human spirit, choices, and the battles we wage within, this narrative is a heart-wrenching reminder of the cost of surrendering to one’s demons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781398445093

Grace Underwood

Grace Underwood, a grandmother of six grandchildren and three children, embarked on an Australian adventure in a converted van, making the most of her agility while it lasts. Many years, beginning at 19 were spent sailing the seven seas. For such a lifestyle, unique as it was and usually not attempted with children in tow, she could gather material to put down in print. She saw firsthand the ravaging effects of Heroin then Methadone. Also, her upbringing created a profile of abandonment, playing second fiddle with only her own accomplishments bringing some semblance of importance to her. This book was therapeutic in that you can only try your very best to note down successfully a story of sadness, not a ‘Happy Ever After’.

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About the Author

Grace Underwood, a grandmother of six grandchildren and three children, embarked on an Australian adventure in a converted van, making the most of her agility while it lasts. Many years, beginning at 19 were spent sailing the seven seas. For such a lifestyle, unique as it was and usually not attempted with children in tow, she could gather material to put down in print. She saw firsthand the ravaging effects of Heroin then Methadone. Also, her upbringing created a profile of abandonment, playing second fiddle with only her own accomplishments bringing some semblance of importance to her. This book was therapeutic in that you can only try your very best to note down successfully a story of sadness, not a ‘Happy Ever After’.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who have found themselves cruelly addicted to heroin. Unfortunately, many treatments intended to alleviate this situation can also prove to be addictive. I empathise with the family and friends of those lost souls and pity those who fall into that category of ‘a lost cause’. Its’s an uphill battle all the way, with no rest stops. Be Strong.

Copyright Information ©

Grace Underwood 2024

The right of Grace Underwood to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

All of the events in this memoir are true to the best of author’s memory. The views expressed in this memoir are solely those of the author.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398445062 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398445079 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398445093 (ePub e-book)

ISBN 9781398445086 (Audiobook)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

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Prologue

AND THE FINALE IS EXPLAINED BY THE PAST.

She knew she was gay and could not face life or cope without her medication. T, hen, the Gemini unveiled herself as life of the party; yet in recluse on her sober days, she was morose and, depressed.

Methadone was her early escape, yet it is nothing but a government funded high. The trip to the chemist was her daily outing to cover the suffering of her existence.

And life felt so incomplete to her, she was a suffering aura, directionless. She had no motivation or will power to be well and, living, except life escaped her replaced by wearing a permanent, furrowed brow. Not comparable to her sibling’s achievements, she overacted the role of centre of attention all her sorrowful life, or hid behind her own shadow.

Chapter One

Baby of the Family

A tormented girl was my sister, a 1962 arrival into a fortunate string of decades called the Baby Boomers. A lifespan of relative world peace, she was safely ensconced in a complete family. Even though our father spent a short time in the army throughout the Korean and Vietnam wars, it didn’t ever lead into conscription for active warfare. Whilst enlisted, he trained in boxing becoming somewhat of a champion. This held him in good stead later in life as a winner of all Pub Brawls, whether he instigated them or not.

My little sister’s name was Melissa Jane Cupitt, fourth in the family of two older brothers and myself three years older. Living as we knew it back in the 1960s was free and safe. No dangers were imminent and schizophrenia and paranoia were subjects for a horror movie, and Murder was a rare headline news story. The whole of Australia was shocked about the disappearance of the three Beaumont Children who had wandered down to the beach to swim and play. Intensive investigation was fruitless. They were never to be seen again and today their names are still in many a person’s memory.

We lived in Warner’s Bay, one of the many suburbs fronting the shores of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Today, they are the ritzy waterfront properties but you can still find the odd weatherboard renovators dream built in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. I remember playing in the clover patches and being stung by a bee. I ran home to Mum who then called the ambulance immediately. I was allergic and Mum, who was four months pregnant and to me just getting plain old fat, also had to be admitted to hospital, her high blood pressure being the scourge of her lifetime health. Unknowingly, I had anger and jealousy towards my little sister already. My Mum was taken away from me because of her. I WAS MEANT TO BE THE BABY!

Time, five months later, for the new edition to come home. There was Melissa Jane and I am sure that I was supposed to be excited about the new arrival but early photos from then showed a grouchy, sulk indeed. Melissa was always in Mum’s arms while I stood beside her and sulked. I distinctly remember being withdrawn and ordered to lean over her pram to kiss her. All of this to create family albums to send off to all the relatives. What a farce!

Chapter Two

I’m First

As Melissa toddled around and plopped down into a heap on the floor, I was never the one to help her back to her feet. God, was I ever a little, uppity bitch. We really didn’t ever have a very close family life. Dad worked long days and Mum was a kitchen hand at night. There was never any playing with us as chores and housework filled her day while we had to play outside. I don’t remember any toys, loving kisses or cuddles. In fact, Mum was angered if we vomited with an attack of gastroenteritis, not making it to the toilet in time. Just more cleaning up to do.

It’s strange what you remember like feeling special when I was put into Mum and Dad’s bed with chicken pox. But that was only because she wanted to wash the children’s sheets that day. Some of the neglect and lack of affection was understandable as Mum was a pregnant seventeen year old bride, little more than a girl, just a teen-ager. Perhaps Mum and Dad really loved each other but with the kids they were not very involved.

Before Warner’s Bay, the family lived in Port Macquarie for a couple of years. There my second eldest brother, Grant, was born.