This feels very real and resonates with me. Nice job.

What a horrifying realization! I like this, especially the bit about being miserable about drinking to keep from being miserable :D

“…or the thought would break my skull open trying to get out.”
You worded that PERFECTLY. So powerful.

And I may be twisted, but the ending had me laughing my ass off picturing that scene- not because the character wasn’t awesome or sympathetic, but you painted that embarrassing scene so well, I could just see all the angry faces and him in the middle actually feeling relieved.

Really awesome stuff!

I think that was the beer trying to break his skull.

Thank you so much for this contribution to my challenge – this is a great piece that resonates.

I was picturing a guy in a bar, but then you threw me a curve that I loved!

I agree with Quick, Miles, and Megan who said all the thoughts I had while reading this. Here’s your pencils.

I’m glad everyone liked this piece. Interestingly, it’s the only piece of non-genre fiction I’ve ever written.

Smd:The last line came to me after I had finished the rest, when I was revising the story of publication. So it threw me a curve as well.

That was awesome. You stuck right with the character’s point of view right to the end there for the twist. Very nicely and humorously told.

I was really hoping that when his dialogue started it was going to turn out to only be in his head. But then he was actually talking out loud – poor guy! The last line was great, and I liked that you set it up with your title as well.