Gerald sat at his office desk, one knee bouncing to a steady rhythm. He fingered his bottom lip and stared across the room where, sitting on the bookshelf, the bottle stared back. It called out to him.
C'mon, Gerry-berry. You know you want to.
He couldn't deny it. He was strong, he was weak, sometimes a savior, sometimes in need of saving, but right now he wanted that bottle more than anything. Even with the high demands of the new job, and then the weekends filled with home improvement projects, tonight his thoughts eventually turned away from the cold daytime numbers and the annoying weekend smell of paint to the warmth and peace he always found when it was just him and the bottle, both of them riding the wave. He had never completely lost the desire.
Gerald stood up. He walked around the desk and stepped over to the bookshelf. He reached up, but then pulled his hand back, a part of him pleading not to do it. Really, what good had the bottle ever done for him? Hadn't it only wasted his time? He could do something more productive right now, couldn't he? Maybe even leave the office and put all temptations behind him.
Why? he wondered. How can something so wonderful be so wrong?
He reached up anyway and clutched the bottle, and the anticipation wrapped its warm arms around him. It filled his chest and made the air as sweet and fragrant as roasted almonds.
Maybe just a little bit, he thought.
Yes, Gerry-berry. Just a little bit. That's all we need.
He turned and stopped, the voice of doubt trying to reason with him again. But what about tomorrow? Would he be able to step back into the office and do his job? Or would the stories the numbers told finally surrender to those the bottle always gave him?
Gerald gripped harder and shook his head. No, for the moment he didn't care about tomorrow; let it take care of itself.
He quickly walked back to the desk. He needed to do this now, before anything else crept into his mind. He opened his desk drawer and took out a piece of paper. He also grabbed the fountain pen his wife gave him on their first anniversary. He unscrewed the cap, dipped his pen into the bottle, and...
The sun burned across Janie's shoulders as she stood looking over the edge at the street twenty stories below.
Gerald smiled. After being on the wagon for months, he had finally stepped off and penned a line. A flood of warm joy washed over his body. Yes, he thought. Now, that's more like it.
It does feel good to write again after taking a break, doesn't it? Nice twist with "the bottle." Thoroughly enjoyable ending. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chuck. I appreciate the feedback. And yes, it does feel good—just the bottle and me, riding the wave.
DeleteNice misdirection Stephen, I had an inkling that it may not have been alcohol in the bottle, but couldn't guess where the story would lead. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. I wanted a small analogy of what it is like to be a writer. In a way, I propose, we are all compelled, never able to really shut it down. Maybe that's what I want on my tombstone: He was a compulsive writer.
DeleteAh those first few words is all it takes. I love how you made us think that the bottle was drink, and so the twist at the end unexpected and yet very pleasing! Applause for the writer!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen. I'm glad the ending paid off. And you're correct, those first few words, whether stepping off the wagon or starting your next story, are all it takes. The wonderful ride seems to take off from there and carry you home.
DeleteNice use of the bottle providing a sweet ending. Writing can be addictive. Fortunately for me, I've never experience anything like Gerald even after spending nearly 2 years away. Jump back in like riding a bike.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. Like you, I spent almost two years out of the practice of writing. Once I stepped back in, though, it has continued to be it's own reward.
DeleteOh nice twist! And here I was, sitting and reading about this man with a drinking problem when all of a sudden it's writer's block. So clever! And also Gerry-berry - very cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. I am glad the twist at the end worked. I just read your Friday Flash contribution, and I look forward to reading where you take it.
Delete