Drunk as Uncle Waldo

Date: 7/17/2019

I pulled into the parking lot behind Sweet Frog, briefly running over to the CVS next door to grab bandages and a water bottle. Meanwhile Daniel fondled his silver flask, tipping it backwards above his mouth to soak up the last couple drops of whatever alcohol it contained. He quickly shoved it back into his coat pocket as I came racing back out with my items. Opening the passenger door, I helped to lift him out of his seat, he wobbled, leaning his weight against my shoulder. I stumbled backward but was eventually able to maintain balance, guiding him up and through the door to the little frozen yoghurt shop. The familiar sweet sticky smell immediately engulfed me as we stepped inside, reminding me of the bittersweet summers spent with mom and sis before everything had fallen into shambles. Only two other customers were present: an older woman and her son. I glanced over at them realizing how awkward the situation had become as the son and woman in question were my classmate, Nico and his mother whom I did not know the name of. I bit my lip, seating Daniel at a table further from the windows where the other pair were seated then, I gently reached into my pocket to grab a tissue. Taking off the lid of the water bottle, I rubbed some on the tissue, tenderly wiping the bloody scratch beneath Daniel’s left eye. I almost cried right then and there, a sharp pain echoed throughout my heart. I stood up and applied a small bandage on then cleaned wound and ordered Daniel to drink some of the water. Once I saw him reaching for the cup, I wandered to the ice cream station and got a cup of original vanilla soft serve (could have been plain fro-yo, I’m not too sure). I checked out and sat back at the table with Daniel, attempting to feed him with a spoon. “Daniel, open wide, here comes the air plane!” I half-joked. He raised an eyebrow. “Quit treating me like one of your elementary school students, I’m two years your senior.” “Well maybe don’t act like a child and I’ll consider it.” I replied, my voice choked by sorrow. “I’ll remember that when you decide to p-“ “Stop.” I said firmly. He folded his lips into a straight line, knowing he had gone too far. “You’re really beautiful you know that?” “Don’t lie to me Daniel.” “I’m not.” “You’re drunker than uncle Waldo right now. Tell me that when you’re sober and I’ll consider believing you.” He stayed silent then, shook his head as if trying to hide some immeasurable pain. “Do you need to go outside?” I questioned, pointing to the rubbish bins along the pedestrian walkway. He nodded and again I lifted him up and sat him on one of the exterior benches, diving back inside to collect the rest of our stuff. Suddenly, the woman turned to me and asked if I needed any help. I assured her that I was perfectly fine taking care of him. Nico peeked over, slightly concerned and embarrassed. I gave him a smile, waved them off and began making my way back outside. Noticing that Daniel had once again taken out his flask I shrieked, running now to snatch it from his grasp but, even drunk he was stronger. “Daniel, give it up.” “Or what?” “Seriously Daniel, we aren’t going to have this talk all over again. Hand me the flask.” He pulled it back harder again but my grip was firm. “I said or what?” “Or I’ll cry because I’ll be forced to tell mommy and dad. Do you want to make us all sad Daniel.” I successfully guilt tripped him as he let go. I never told them when he got bad like this. I sat beside him and he leaned on my shoulder, sobbing as I squeezed his side in an attempt to calm him. “Hey hey... it’s okay, I’m sorry” “Why do you-“