Eyes open as I stretch. My face is imprinted with sofa lines matching my suit. Shoes sticky, tie-soiled. The mini shredder bin next to the sofa is loaded with paper and a sickly spew. Standing brings on vertigo, so I sit down near a blanket speckled with what resembles the stuff in the bin. My stomach churns as I reach for the TV remote.
Hitting mute does nothing to stop 120-decibel EMS sirens blazing outside my home. I want to scream while covering my ears. Maybe that will cancel them out. A half glass of water on the coffee table reminds me my bladder is full. A slow rise to my feet keeps me stable for a cautious walk to the bathroom. The door ajar with lights on looks occupied but I push it open with legs crossed. No need to turn on running water for inspiration.
I disrobe and jump in the shower. Warm water soothes me until it grows cold with the valve fully open.
I brush my teeth to rid the taste of bile, but cleaning my tongue threatens to bring up more of the same. Rinsing is preferred along with a minty gargle. I take three aspirin from the cabinet and wash them down with a hand full of water.
Wrapping a towel around me, I stumble to the bedroom longing for the comfort of soft satin sheets but the cost of cleaning them turns me away. I put on a gray two-piece suit, white shirt, red power tie, and black Oxfords. Moving towards the kitchen, I see the auto coffee maker has just brewed my favorite, perked, not drip. White bread sitting in the toaster looks hard. I press toast anyway to start my day. Careful not to burn the roof of my mouth, I sip the coffee without cream and nibble on hard-toasted bread without butter.
The newspaper is on the table where I left it. I saved the classified but tossed the coupons for Black Friday’s bullshit sales. I circle the address of the job fair. Today’s the last day. Tomorrow is my second month without a job.
Copyright © 2018 Darnell Cureton. All Rights Reserved
Fictionista 
Wow! I almost felt hungover while reading this. Great descriptions. Especially the details like the half glass of water. This is usually the first thing I see when I wake up from a hangover (sometimes the glass is still full if it’s been a real late night).
Nice piece.
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Thank you. Some people thought I was really out of work.
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I noticed that in the comment section. You know you got the descriptions right when people start wishing you good luck on your job search!
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It’s one of the few pieces I really got right. As writer’s we want all our work to come out that way. A hard goal we try to make.
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Your description immersed me in his world completely. Well done.
The ending explains it so well, pulling it together.
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Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Thank you very much Matilde for the comment. Much appreciated. 🤗
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two paychecks away,isn’t that the scariest thought,especially during the winter months?
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It really is. My manager went on vacation. He came back to no job. – That’s low, and that can be anybody. Thanks for the comment.
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A friend of mine said her husband’s old job suddenly closed its doors with no warning 3 days after Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas,right?
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Yeah, and somebody got a bonus making cuts for the new year. One reason Xmas can be depressing.
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Nice description…all lending to an overall feeling of dread. Which is exactly what I feel when I think of job fairs. They’re supposed to represent hope and opportunity. But for some reason, I feel the opposite.
Bile, aspirin, hard bread with no butter: Perfect setup to fail at the job fail later!!! 🙂
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Exactly! He’s in no condition to go to a job fair what ever the odds. Wow! You are right on point. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.
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You’re welcome! I apparently would fail at the job fair, too, since I typed “job fail” above! I’m in the same boat as your character. Lol !!!
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Unforseen. That’s the way life is. Lol!!! ☺️
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sounds like a heavy night .. wishing this guy [you?] luck at the fair!
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Yes, it’s like that sometimes. So glad to say I am not him…
Thank you for the comment.
Means a lot.
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lol I thought it was fiction 🙂
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It’s fiction. Most of us are 2 paychecks away from being homeless. I hope he does well at the fair also.😎
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lol at least you can influence his outcome … most can’t 😦
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Absolutely!
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