A hush descended over the room. She stands and clears her throat. Then she reaches over to the center of the table to take some grapes out of the glass dish. Everyone watches as she slowly places one single grape in her mouth. She put the remainder of them on her paper plate. Again she clears her throat and says, “Hi I am Beth and I am an alcoholic.”
Everyone responds “Hi Beth.”
“I am here cause I believe in myself. After years of drinking, two husbands, over twenty-five tattoos and lots of alcohol it is just time. Life has exhausted me. I have no control. I never have. Honesty is the hardest thing to face. I have drowned honesty with gallons of alcohol. That has cost me my kids, two failed marriages and my professional life. I know I am not alone in this self-destructive behavior. When does it end? I am scared of where I have awakened sober. I am no friend to emotion. I express love through physical contact and nothing more. I am a sad state of affairs.”
Beth sheds no tears during her introductory speech. She listens as others comment. She sits nearly motionless through each visitor’s talk in the meeting. Daydreaming. Agonizing. Regretting. She slowly finishes her grapes as the meeting draws to a close. She savors the sweet taste of each. She has brief conversations after the meeting then heads out the door. Waiting for her outside are her kids. They were granted a quick visit. She hugs each kid tightly. Her tattooed arms hold each kid tight, tears flowing from her eyes. She kisses each kid and reaffirms her love. Then she stands and turns to a female officer, waiting with the door of her car open. The officer places handcuffs on her. Beth takes her place in the back seat.
As they drive off she waves to her kids. She then says, “You know officer, my jail sentence is short. Only two months along with rehab and AA. But my true sentence was handed down not by a judge but by alcohol. A life sentence.”
This is a work of fiction. Written for the speakeasy at yeah write #95.
Very impressive. Very profound, and a great take on the prompt.
Thanks Sandra. I appreciate the kind comments. TY
Very well written and interesting take on the prompt/photo.
Thanks Steph! I appreciate the compliment.
Nice take on the prompt!
TY 🙂
I wish addiction weren’t a life sentence for those who suffer from it, but you said it well, it is.
I believe it is. Others may disagree. TY
I echo what Kristin said, so sad. Hopefully she really is getting her act together. Powerful last line!
Thanks Stacie. Hopefully she does. Whoever “she” is. I am sure there are lots of “shes” out there.
I like the “life sentence” analogy…well it isn’t fully an analogy is it? But I like it.
TY..glad you like it!
This is very touching. I enjoyed it.
Wonderfully written piece. Very poignant. Great job!
TY. I appreciate the kind words.
I really love the comparison of adiction to a life sentence — very powerful,
TY. I would think it is some sort of life sentence.
A whole life conveyed in such a short piece. Well done.
What is life when alcohol controls it. I could expand this for sure.
This was a heartbreaking story (but so real for many.) The last line about the sentence was like knife twist in the gut.
I am glad you felt that way about the last line. I think I will expand this story at some point. It is heartbreaking in so many ways. TY
A life sentence, indeed! Very powerful story.