I shook the empty glass at the bartender. It was poorly cleaned; a prior customer’s pink lipstick adorning its rim like an accusation of infidelity.
Am I not cheating?
I dismissed the thought.
“Another bottle of your shecond-cheapest champagne Marcush!”
The bartender ignored me.
“Come on Marcush, I’m shelebrating. Chop-chop.” Celebrating; in my usual fashion of course. On a barstool, drinking swill, out of dirty glassware.
I’d taken the first step… and what an enormous step it had been. My body shook from the effort. I needed…
I deserved a drink.
“Marcush! Now!”
One step down.
Eleven more to go.
Word Count: 100
Perhaps a slightly oblique take on this week’s photo prompt over at Rochelle’s Addicted To Purple Blog – I took the odd photo of the house with the high door, and it became in my mind ‘a difficult first step’, which then lead me to Alcoholic’s Anonymous 12 steps to recovery.
I’d encourage you to check out the other 100 word stories which can be found by clicking this link.
Busy week last week – took me some time to read the other stories… I’ll endeavour to do better this week.
Cheers, and as always, thanks for reading.
KT
Uncertain Tales 
I think it might take some considerable time to get through the other eleven steps. But it’s a start. Nicely done KT – great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not out of the woods yet…
addiction is not easily nailed.
Good read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least he knows he has a problem, many alcoholics can’t admit that even to themselves.
Great story
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s hard to shake a habit. It’s even harder to live with someone who is refusing to do it. Especially if you live alone. This is one hard-hitting story, congrats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alcohol is the first things alcoholics turn to when they have a problem. A terrible disease since it’s legal and people don’t think they need help. It looks like your protagonist is quickly going down steps. Great write !!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel guilty sitting here with a glass of chardonnay having read some of these comments! oh well, cheers!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It might be 11 1/2 to go. But yeah that first step is a doozy. Beautifully written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to explain. I got it even before your post-script. Well told. Your take on the prompt is spot on – with that HUGE first step out of addiction. Kudos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the first step would be the hardest. I like it KT. You set the scene perfectly.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
A clever take on the prompt! It is great when the mind draws a link between two topics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this was good, especially from the POV of undoing the steps, as it were. that first one is a long way to fall.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dawn is right, that first step is one long fall, and the next eleven get even worse. Especially step 5.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those steps seem headed in the wrong direction.
These Flash Fictions clearly reveal other peoples’ problems that I am so glad I have not been afflicted with. Well told! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear KT,
He appears to have hit rock bottom, but I think at this point he needs to step up to the first step. Clever take on the prompt. Applause!
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems like he hasn’t quite got the hang of the first step yet 🙂
Inventive use of the prompt photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s painful, first step up, and down right away But, where you go down, you can go up again, and hopefully there’s help. Great story, and an interesting take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was puzzled until the context given. I liked the idea of puzzlement…. but loved your unique take on the prompt. If you had not told us your context…. I wonder what I would have come up with….. I read your context too soon. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oblique take maybe but great.
I love the shecond- cheapest…I mean you’ve got to have standards.
Comic, sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tragic. Your poor narrator’s predicament comes through loud and clear. He has taken the biggest backward step – I hope he can haul himself back up. Very clever idea to use the AA steps, in reverse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
KT, this is a sobering use of the prompt (see what I did there?). Very moving and dark, well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear KT,
One step down, eleven to go. A sad and insightful take on the prompt. The cheating aspect of it was particularly telling. i have fallen off wagons of my own choosing too many times to count. It is so hard climbing back on. A very well put together story.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant take on the prompt. One step down…eleven more to go.
Good stuff!
LikeLiked by 1 person