Jessica stood looking around at all the beverages passing her on trays. This was like pure torture. People happy and laughing as they sipped their drinks. “Aedan,” Jessica whimpered closing her fingers around his tightly as if needing his support to get through the night. “Aedan I can’t do this,” she said shaking his hand free and walking towards a tray full of choice beverages. “I don’t care. One drink. One drink is not going to kill me. I need a coffee Aedan. I need one. Tonight is like bringing a recovering alcoholic to a bar but I haven’t even been able to go to rehab,” she said reaching for one of the steaming mugs. The color of each was slightly different as were the intricately designed images weaving in the white frothy foam topping. In another time, Jessica would have savored the moment and chose her drink carefully. Tonight she was like an addict desperate for a hit.

Lt. Commander Jessica Vaughn, XO