Turmoil | Spruceworth 5.1 (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Shaw

       I stared at the drink in front of me while I was sitting at the counter in the nightclub. If I went through with this, I knew my life was just going to tumble down even more than it already was. I didn't see anything going right any time soon, so I didn't see the downside of drinking right now.

       I brought the drink closer to me, but still didn't pick up the class to drink.

       Someone walked up to me and leaned against the counter. "You do know staring at the drink isn't how you drink, right?" Dad asked.

       I looked at him before looking back at the drink. "I hadn't had a drink in over a year," I said.

       "Why not?" Dad asked. "And why start now?"

       I hesitated, not sure if I should tell him. I still wasn't going to forgive him, but I just needed someone to talk to right now. "I was an addict," I said. "Mainly with alcohol, but I did take some drugs too. I've been on the wagon for over a year now."

       "And you're actually going to start drinking again?" Dad asked. "Don't be stupid."

       "I can do what I want," I said. "If I want to start drinking again, you of all people won't be able to stop me."

       "You're right, I won't," Dad said. "It's all up to you if you start drinking again. But why are you?"

       "Because I should have been married right now," I said. 

       "Ah, right, Viola told me you were getting married," Dad said. "Wait. Should have been? Why aren't you?"

       "Holden called off the wedding," I said. "He texted me while I was at the wedding and said he wasn't coming and it was over."

       "Oh, Shaw, I'm sorry," Dad said.

       I didn't reply. I just stared at the drink, wanting to get in rid of the heartbreak I was feeling. Holden was the one person I actually saw a future with. He was the one person who made me feel like I wouldn't go back to my past ways.

       And now he was gone.

       "If you were smart, you wouldn't touch a drop of that drink in front of you," Dad said. "I can take away the drink, but I think you're smart to make your own decisions. Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement."

       He patted my shoulder before walking off and I went back to staring at my drink. I did that for a few more minutes before picking up the glass.

       And drinking the liquid inside.

       All of it.

       I placed the glass back on the counter before getting off of the stool and leaving the nightclub. I walked down the flight of stairs that led to the main ground of the village, almost bumping into Lawrence and Tara.

       "What were you doing in the nightclub?" Lawrence asked me.

       "What's it to you?" I asked, trying to walk past them but Lawrence grabbed my arm.

       "Have you been drinking again?" Lawrence asked.

       I yanked my arm out of his grasp. "No, of course not. How could you think that?"

       "Well, sorry for being worried about you," Lawrence said. "You shouldn't be on your own."

       "Why?" I asked. "Because I can't take care of myself due to a little heartbreak? I'll be fine."