Back To Square One

I sat on my couch, Guitar Hero controller in hand, feeling the familiar buzz of alcohol coursing through my veins. I had just finished another freelance project, and my wallet was a little heavier for it. But the money was never enough to satisfy my cravings, and so I had turned to light beer to help me forget about my problems for a while. As I strummed away at the fake guitar in my lap, I couldn’t help but think about everything that was going on in my life. My job as a truck driver for Frito Lay had come to an end, and I had been forced to rely on my talents as a freelancer to make ends meet. Graphic design and web development had become my bread and butter, but it was never enough to keep me from reaching for the bottle. But music had always been my passion, and so I had turned to Guitar Hero to help me get back into the swing of things. As I played the familiar tunes, I let my mind wander, thinking about the future and what it held for me. Would I ever make it as an entertainer? Could I ever every make it without alcohol? The controller clicked and clacked as I expertly navigated my way through the game, my fingers moving almost automatically over the buttons. The rhythm of the music filled my ears, drowning out the sound of the world outside. But even as I lost myself in the game, I knew that I couldn’t escape reality forever. I had bills to pay, rent to worry about, and a growing sense of unease about where my life was headed. As the last notes of the song faded away, I set down the controller and reached for the can I expertly hid from my mother. The alcohol burned as it made its way down my throat, and I closed my eyes, feeling the familiar rush of euphoria wash over me. For a moment, everything felt okay. The worries and fears that had been gnawing at me all day faded away, replaced by a sense of calm. But I knew that it was only temporary. The real world was waiting for me, and I couldn’t ignore it forever. As I picked up my guitar and started to strum a familiar tune, I made a promise to myself. I would keep playing, keep practicing, and keep chasing my dreams, no matter how hard it got.