What I really want is a beer and a shot of whiskey. Brandon broke out in a cold sweat when he realized that wasn’t going to happen. Suddenly, the ten-by-twenty room felt like a cell, and he wanted out of there. He sat up too quickly. The room spun, and the meager contents of his stomach churned. Bolting for the bathroom, he vomited and was splashing cold water on his face when he heard a knock at the door.

Still holding a towel, he opened the door to a balding man of average height and build.

“Yeah?” Brandon grunted.

“Hi, I’m Alan. May I come in?”

Brandon shrugged and stepped aside.

“Do you have everything you need?” Alan asked with a smile on his round, friendly face. He wore a starched light blue dress shirt and pressed khakis.

Brandon gave him a withering look.

“Towels, sheets, that stuff,” Alan clarified.

“I guess.”

“Well, just let us know if you need anything.”

“Do you work here?”

“I volunteer on Fridays.”

“My lucky day.”

“It sure is.” Alan sat on Brandon’s bed. “In fact, one day you may look back and realize this was the luckiest day of your life.”

“Yeah, sure,” Brandon snorted, pressing a hand to his throbbing face in a desperate attempt to find some relief from the pain.

“What happened to your face?”

“My brother punched me.”

“Why?”

“He says I hassled his girlfriend.”

“Did you?”

Brandon shrugged.

“You don’t remember?” When Brandon didn’t answer, Alan pressed on. “Why are you here?”

“My brother said it was either this or his girlfriend would press charges against me. Nice, huh?”

“It was nice of him to give you a choice.”

“I can see whose side you’re on.”

“Actually, I’m on your side, Brandon. I was once right where you are today. I’m an alcoholic.”

“Whoa, man! I’m not an alcoholic. I just like to have a few beers after work. I don’t know why everyone thinks that’s such a big deal.”

“Have you had blackouts before last night?”

“No.”

“You’re sure?”

Brandon looked away from him.

“How old are you, Brandon?”

“Thirty-eight.”

“Ever been married?”

“No.”

“You mentioned a brother. Do you have other siblings?”

“Three brothers and a sister.”

“You’re lucky to have such a nice big family.”

“Yeah, well, they’ve kind of let me down today.”

“Do you really think so?”

Brandon shrugged.

“What do you do for work?”

“I’m an engineer. My family owns a construction business.”

“That’s impressive. Has your drinking caused you problems at work?”

“No,” Brandon said as his patience ran out. “What’s with the twenty questions?”

“I’m just trying to get to know you. I’d like to help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Perhaps not, but I need yours.”

“What could I possibly do for you?”