People ask me all the time why I don’t drink.
My answer’s always the same: I don’t want to.
I like water better anyway.
“That’s cool,” they’ll say, or, “Wow. I wish I didn’t drink.”
I want to say, Then don’t, stupid. But I smile instead. I’m polite.
People peg me when they learn I don’t drink. Fine by me.
What they don’t know is I like dirty water. I especially like it when it doesn’t taste like water.
They also don’t know that I like watching them lose their minds.
I get to know them better than they’ll ever know.
Excellent work!
I liked the story and how you put it together. The only thing that puzzled me was the reference to dirty water. That thought seemed incomplete. I am puzzled as to why you would include that in your story since the conclusion did not need that as support.
This story carries lot of weight and I too thought you put it together well. However, like b. above, didn’t get the dirty water reference. That said, it’s still a great piece.
I agree with the above statements. Very good story, but it somehow fell flat with the introduction of dirty water that doesn’t taste like water. Clarification, please!
Honky Tonks and cantinas, dive bars and night clubs — it’s the people in these places who don’t drink that can walk in and walk out with the best stories. Well-written and anything but boring. Thanks for inviting us to think twice!