Happy Ever After Midnight

I arrived home and collapsed on my bed. Again. I was crushed under the news of my alcoholism. 

How do you come to terms with that? I had addictions, coffee and cigarettes, but I didn't think I'd ever get this one. I didn't know how to get out of it either. Oh well, that could wait another day.

It was still early afternoon but I was exhausted. I took my clothes off, put on my black pajamas and curled up in a ball under the blanket. I needed to sleep this nightmare off. Then work. But work would wait.

I awoke late evening, not refreshed at all. I had a bad headache and was sweating again. I got up to get a coffee and stumbled. That wasn't the withdrawal, I was just weak. Weak from the realization that I was an alcoholic because of that damned case. Weak from knowing what kind of hell awaited me, a fairy who had to get out of this without medication.

I'd seen what alcohol could do to humans, how hard it was to get rid of this. I'd laughed, thinking myself better. Shit, I was worse. I should've known…

I got back on my feet and went for that coffee. And a smoke. I took them in the kitchen just like every morning, except it was getting dark. I checked my phone. Liliane hadn't called yet. But I was still supposed to report on my cases, at least the two of them I had covered that morning. I typed an email with one hand, drinking my coffee with the other. 

My cigarette smoked itself out, burning my fingers. The email was done. So was my coffee. In theory, so was my day. But since I'd slept the afternoon away, I wanted to get a move on in my other cases.

With a sigh, I opened my laptop and got to work. I knew it would take me a while and I'd probably finish this at the bar later, but I wanted to try and avoid that place for as long as I could. I'd get totally wasted if I went there now and Jo would not be happy. She'd know. She always knows.

Third case was still easy, he was barely more than a baby. I just needed to pick one of our assistants to act as a nanny and check him for latent powers, as both his parents were mages.

I spent a good hour reviewing the profiles of our assistants to pick the perfect one. I didn't know them all personally, although I knew a few. But those wouldn't do, they were more action types. I finally found the one. 

Georges was a 42 years old father of 5 who had been working for HEA Ltd. for almost 10 years. He knew how to look out for what we needed and would have experience handling a toddler. Georges was also mildly magical, and could protect himself and the young one's family in case of powers gone wrong. Georges was perfect.

I wrote him an email, and let Jo know about my choice. It was night by that time and I was feeling hazy again, the single whiskey from earlier not being enough to keep the thirst at bay.

As planned, I put my laptop in my neverending purse and made my way to the bar. It was earlier than usual, but not by much. I nodded to the bartender, and took my usual spot on the red leather chair. I popped open the laptop and set it on the wooden table, seeing from the corner of my eye the bartender preparing my usual drink.

The last case was the most complex one. The young woman was 18 and had type one diabetes. Her parents were devastated to hear that news when she was barely 4. They came to us right away, knowing her life would be a hard one.

The Happy Ever After that they wanted was simple. They just wanted their daughter to be loved for who she was, and live a happy life. Or as happy as possible.

Since then, we had assembled a team of the best medics in the area, and surrounded her with loving people. But that wasn't quite enough. She was dearly loved by her family and our team, but her friends tended to drift away, and romantic relationships never lasted.

I took my phone out and called her. She would still be awake and I was still sober. The bartender gave me my drink while the phone rang.

"Hello? Tina? What's up?" her voice was cracking. Had she been crying?

"Hi love, how are you? I just wanted to check on you, what's new?" I sipped my drink slowly, I wanted it to last. She answered "oh, you know, the usual. My kidneys are acting up again, my blood sugar is all over the place, and I'm lonely. What about you?"

Poor thing. She must have been in so much pain, and she was so very brave. "The usual too, I'm working from home for a while but other than that, nothing's changed. How's your friend Jeannette?"

Silence. I heard her take a deep breath. "She's probably fine, wherever she is." Another deep breath. I hoped she knew she could tell me everything. "She left, see. I was too much for her. I couldn't go places with her all the time, couldn't drink alcohol, was always in pain… She said I was a burden and I wasn't doing enough to be social. They always do. I'm used to it."

She was trying to be strong again. "Love, I know it's hard. It's okay that it's hard. I'm sorry I can't magic you out of this mess. But I promised your parents and I promise you, you're not alone and we'll find you someone who loves you for who you are. Besides us, I mean."

I swore I could hear her smile. "Thanks Tina you're the best. I'm sorry for being so difficult, but it would be nice to have someone not judge me or see me like a burden you know."

I sighed. It would indeed be nice. I took another sip of my drink, considering my answer. There was nothing much to say, except "well, I'll turn the world upside down if I need to, but I'll find this person for you love. You deserve to be happy too. You're not difficult, and you're not a burden. Don't you dare forget it."

After another couple of minutes and a few more pleasantries, we cut the call. I had no idea where to find the person she so desperately wanted. I'd been looking everywhere for years, finding her people I thought could be her friends. A few stuck around but not enough, and most who left made her feel awful about herself. These people deserved a kiss. On the mouth. With a wand.

I downed the rest of my drink. My work was done, all that was left to do was shoot Jo an email with the latest developments. She wouldn't like getting so many in a day, but at least I did my job.

Time. To. Drink.

I caught the bartender's attention and asked for a second round. Tonight would be a three drinks night. Yes, it was a bad idea, but fuck it. I'd done a good job and deserved to get hammered. Besides, I had things to think about and couldn't do it with my head pounding.

"Pour me another one", I said, downing the rest of my drink with a gulp. The bartender obliged.

"It's your third, lady. Time to pay." I paid. I didn't know his name and didn't bother to ask. "Thanks", I said. Then drowned my sorrows in the Black Russian that soothed my heart.