Let's try something new.

This is a short story I wrote in english. I am using it in the coffeehouse on friday.

It is late at night. The campfire is burning low. Your best friend turns to you and says,

“I have a confession...”

He pauses and I don’t respond. I feel him searching for some sort of confirmation that I heard him. But I wait for him to speak willingly. I peer at him sitting on a log leaning forward on his knees with his forearms. I allow the silence to become awkward and fill the air with its own kind of noise.

After about 15 seconds, he looks up and says

“I am an alcoholic.”

I look at him and move closer to where he sits. I put my arm around him and rub his arm like a mother does to a child. I put my hand on his shoulder and say nothing. He drops his head between his legs and I place my hand softly on the back of his neck. I feel his rough stubble at his neck and a few beads of sweat. 

He starts to weep softly. At a loss of words, I wipe away one of his tears and I get up from beside him and sit in front of him cross-legged.

I place each of my hands on his knees and he lifts his head to look at me. He is settled by my eyes.

Finally I say something. “How did you come to that conclusion?”. With a sniff he responds “I just know it.”.

Confused, I slouch my posture a bit and remove my hands from his knees. 

I knew he drank, but I never considered him an alcoholic. I peered up to fully see the front of his shirt. It is a simple grey t-shirt, which I gave to him 2 years ago. 

“What can I do to help?”  I asked. 

He sat up, with a puzzled face. In a few seconds he looked like he had an answer.

“Help me”. We both paused. 

My mind raced as these two words processed in my mind. How? Why me? I arrived at an answer.

As assured as I am, I picture my life flashing before my eyes. But not in the sense of death. 

“Let me move in with you” I replied.

He straightened his back and looked at me. His lips were scared but his eyes, certain. 

I grabbed his hands and stood up. He pulled me beside him, which made me feel like I hadn’t made any progress.

“Okay.” he sniffed.

The fire burned out.

In the brief period which we could not see, he stands to fix the light. 

I slyly reach into my bag and grab the metal piece. I confidently guzzle all of the contents of my flask. 

I chuck my flask into the forest. 

Light.

“What was that noise?” he questioned.

“I’m not sure.” I replied.

He pulls me back to his lap. 

Huddled next to him I use my hand and pull his chin towards me to make eye contact. 

I stood up again while he sat, holding his hands and he pulled me to his lap. 

The fire burned out.