Julia
"A toast to the newest highlight of Bennett Designer!" Melissa shouts her cheer over the background music, drawing the attention of a few customers inside the bar.
"To the success of our dear friend!" Paco adds, raising his beer and unable to suppress a shy smile.
"To Alex's recovery," I say, lifting my glass right after.
"Let’s toast then!" my friend cheers, and our glasses clink in the air. I immediately taste the drink on my tongue, and the alcohol causes a nearly numbing effect down my throat.
They said it was like riding a bike. That you never really forget how it’s done but in practice, this feels completely different. And it doesn’t matter how excited Melissa is about this night, or how much she encourages me to dance, have fun, and just enjoy a few hours. I simply can't do it. I can't have fun while my son is in a hospital room. But more than that, I can't enjoy myself when I’ve already lost so much in life. So, I stay seated on a tall barstool, sipping my first drink of
