Regulars
The dusty door swings open and the odor overwhelms me. It’s the stench of stale cigarettes and two years worth of beer and liquor soaked into the dark stained hard wood floor. It’s a familiar smell, one that disgusts you only briefly. Just for that first moment you enter then the distractions of friends and alcohol sweep you away and the pungent odor disappears for the night. It’s comforting in a weird way though. You know it will be back tomorrow, it always is.
My mother always told me that alcoholism was a disease that ran in our family. Nowadays, 3000 miles away from the family I grew up with, I feel like it’s true. My family is here in this malodorous establishment. So I guess she was right, since my friends are family, alcoholism does run in MY family.
I’m not saying we’re all alcoholics, but by definition I guess we are. Wow, what a contradiction. Spoken like a true alkie.
But back to the bar…I usually walk in and scan the place. It’s like playing Where’s Waldo in reverse. Waldo is the guy you don’t know. Before I have the chance to look around I hear my name…
The dusty door swings open and the odor overwhelms me. It’s the stench of stale cigarettes and two years worth of beer and liquor soaked into the dark stained hard wood floor. It’s a familiar smell, one that disgusts you only briefly. Just for that first moment you enter then the distractions of friends and alcohol sweep you away and the pungent odor disappears for the night. It’s comforting in a weird way though. You know it will be back tomorrow, it always is.
My mother always told me that alcoholism was a disease that ran in our family. Nowadays, 3000 miles away from the family I grew up with, I feel like it’s true. My family is here in this malodorous establishment. So I guess she was right, since my friends are family, alcoholism does run in MY family.
I’m not saying we’re all alcoholics, but by definition I guess we are. Wow, what a contradiction. Spoken like a true alkie.
But back to the bar…I usually walk in and scan the place. It’s like playing Where’s Waldo in reverse. Waldo is the guy you don’t know. Before I have the chance to look around I hear my name…
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