A Good Ending

I can't believe this book is already coming to a close. Watching this man's internal growth, interactions with fellow users and family, and the optimistic future ahead of him has been really interesting and somewhat of a new experience for me. Sure I've read books before about really bad or destructive people, but never about a drug addict. I think they're on a whole new field than other characters. Drug addicts are what they sound like, addicted. Not only are they addicted to drugs or alcohol, but they strive on self-destruction, bad relationships, wasted opportunities, and really bad choices. Reading this book was so interesting and definitely different than the usual literature I read.
But guess what I found in Mr. Hill's library...the "sequel" to A Million Little Pieces. It's called My Friend Leonard and it's the story of James and Leonard's friendship (his friend in jail who adopts him as a son). So it's somewhat of a sequel to the first book because it picks up at the time James is released from the center and serves his time in jail. The beginning as been crazy intense already. Remember Lilly, the girl James had a relationship with at the alcohol abuse center? Well their relationship grew and grew into a true love and they planned a future for themselves when James could be released from jail. However, their timing really sucks. While James is in his last week of jail, Lilly's grandmother and only close, consistent person in her life takes and turn for the worst and is on her death bed. Unfortunately, Lilly's grandma dies and Lilly doesn't know how to deal with the loss and her own pain. She calls James to convince him to run away early and come visit her since she so desperately needs him. He knows it would be silly to take such a risk and promise he will be there for her the next day when he is released. I don't mean to ruin the book or be a debbie-downer, but before James is able to reach her, Lilly kills herself.
This event somewhat set the tone for the book. I think it's going to being another raw tale told by James Frey that doesn't sugarcoat any events. He has had such a hard life and I doubt it will get an easier in this book. I'm excited that there's also more of a focus on Leonard, who is another former drug addict that seems to be heading in the right direction.