Resuscitation from the Perils of Temptation

Trigger warning: This story has to do with alcohol addiction.

The kitchen walls of Troy’s house cave in around his friend Jacob. A glass beer bottle sits atop a wooden counter, taunting Jacob with its mere presence. Jacob’s hands shake, his entire body throbbing. Like a vampire trying to resist human flesh, he fantasizes about the sweet burn of alcohol. Sweat coats Jacob’s face, leaving streaks down his cheeks and forehead. His head throbs and his heart beats like the bass trembling the floor. One drink, he thinks to himself.

A girl sways to the beat of dubstep as she waves her beer bottle in front of Jacob’s face. “Have a sip,” she offers. He picks up the bottle like a scientist examining a test tube. He gazes at the girl, and then involuntarily jolts and shudders. The sudden roar and screech of a distant car electrocute his body. His mind zips back to the car collision that nearly killed him and his brother Max. Alcohol bonded the brothers until it nearly killed them. For Jacob, the effects of recovery and rehab were like a few hours in jail before bail — a temporary wake-up call for a change that didn’t last. But this sudden trigger resuscitated him.

The girl continues to sway, waving her drink in the air and batting her thick eyelashes at Jacob. She’s relentless, Jacob thinks. “I um…I-I can’t. I h-have to go,” he stutters.

He runs out of the kitchen, turns right to the front door, and exits his house. He plugs his nose to protect it from the scent of alcohol. His friend Troy staggers over to the cluster of drunks on the driveway and hollers, “Drink! Drink!” He throws his arms up, and everyone chugs their drinks like college kids on Thirsty Thursday.

Jacob winces in pain as Max presses down on his shoulders. Like an angry football coach, Max demands Jacob to put the cup down. His face flames red with deep bruises. Dark purple veins stick out of his hand. His head shakes like a teacher about to send a student to the principal’s office.

Jacob puts the cup down and says, “Thank you, Max. I needed that.” If it weren’t for Max, Jacob may have relapsed and done something reckless again. Thank God for support, redemption, and resuscitation.