I am writing you because I want to tell someone. Things happen.
Now, I had been drinking, but do not think that is even a bit of an excuse. I had not been drinking that much.
Next thing I want you to know, and this is important to me. It was not supposed to happen.
I am not that much different than when you knew me years ago. Oh, I am older, but I have always been a bit too concerned about my appearance so even as I hit my thirties I kept in shape. I was careful. I needed no surgery, a careful diet and some exercise kept me as attractive as you remember.
Now, what I want to tell you. There was a party at a neighbor's and the whole street was there. Food was everywhere and there was even more drink. Alcohol flowed freely and even some of the younger crowd was openly drinking and it was ignored. My son was one.
We had to leave the party earlier than we planned as Mark, my husband, had been called in to work. We said our goodbyes and headed home. I slipped into bed - even just a few drinks exhausts me. If I fell asleep or just was in that fog that comes right before it I cannot tell, but a noise told me my son had come home.
Cody was a nice boy, though at 18 I sure hate to call him a boy, but to say anything else makes me feel even older. I sat up in bed, suddenly feeling guilt I did not search around for him before Mark and I had left the party earlier. He had a rough week, well, a rough time all around and I should not have left him at the party. Alcohol and a case of the blues are not a good combination.
I could hear him shuffling around and figured he was fine, but a moment later I sensed there were tears and some moping. I went to check on him... why did I let him drink?
"Hey honey. You ok?" What else do I say? He didn't answer. He sat there on the couch with obvious tears dripping down his face he did not even try to hide.
His high school sweetheart had suddenly ended it, chasing after another boy after several years of what seemed to be a solid relationship. Unkind words were said, and some things posted online that shamed Cody to the core. I had tried to talk with him, but a mother is not always the desired voice in these situations. Our support is too unconditional I guess. The few chats we had ended with him storming off to his room.
"Cody?" Still nothing. Alcohol was not kind to sadness. I moved over and sat beside him. His eyes were fastened to some invisible spot on the wall and I was not sure he even noticed when I sat down.