THE HABIT

It' been a crazy year so far. Last August I finally quit a disgusting habit that I had for 13 years or so. Unfortunately, I cannot share this with a lot of people I know as my 10-year-old never knew about it. Nor do I want him to know. I would be afraid that he would do it someday 'just because the old man did'. I feel that this is for the best though it does get lonely.
I do not have any friends with this particular habit, so there is very little support in my day to day life. Most people I work with know that I stopped, but they do not really understand the depth of it. Most of them are younger and some even partake of this habit when they are out partying, still at that stage where they do not need to do it every day. Ah, I remember those days.
Those days were long over for me, however. I had a regiment that had to be adhered to if I were to remain normal. Two in the morning after taking my son to school, three after lunch when my wife got home, five on the way to work, one after three hours of work, one after two more hours, one at the end of work, and five on the way home. Just two shy of twenty would get me through the day. More were involved when I was taking classes at the community college, because everyone did it, it's like a rule or something.
This wonderful little pill that they sell helped me stop. It actually blocks the stuff from getting into your brain. An awesome drug as drugs go, they should put it in the water supply!
I still don't quite feel right. I sometimes fear that the really fun me is gone. I have a temper now. Things never used to bother me as much before. I knew I could always just take a walk with my pack of little friends and everything would be fine again. Maybe though it is time to start letting things bother me. Maybe I need things to bother me.
I used to believe that this was just like any other vice and that it was my choice to do it or not and that making it illegal would infringe upon my rights. I was wrong. My choice was taken away from me as soon as enough of it got into my system. Luckily, at the mere cost of ten percent of my paycheck each week, there was a government-sanction dealer on every corner.
I never want to engage in this habit again, but I still miss it. I can smell it on many a street corner, and it's as sweet as a spring breeze.
It should be banned.