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“Maybe a little,” I said with a laugh.
“It’s like four in the afternoon.”
“Oh shit, is it? I didn’t realize it was getting so late already.”
“Late? I would say it’s a bit early to be as trashed as you sound.”
I shrugged and chugged the rest of my beer. “I had to plan my dad’s funeral today, Duncan. I needed to unwind after that.”
“How many have you had?”
I looked at the beer cans in the trash near my childhood bed. “Uh, a few. I don’t know.”
I had told my mom I was only going to have one. That had been my intention. Then she left to meet a friend and I was left alone in that house filled with painful memories and I ended up reaching for another… and then another.
“Listen, Alex, I don’t mean to pry, but I am worried about you. I know your family has a history of alcoholism and—”
“I’m nothing like my dad.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“I started my own business, and my business saves lives, and unlike others in my industry, I’m not in it for the profit. I am not some super wealthy billionaire. I’m not greedy and—”
“Alex,” Duncan cut into my rambling. “I know all of this. I never said you were like your dad, and yes, you’re successful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a drinking problem.”
I sighed and closed my eyes, centering myself for a moment. “I know, man. And trust me, when I’m not here, I’m nothing like this. I barely even drink in San Francisco.”
“I believe you. It’s the stress of being back here that’s triggering it, but you need to get yourself under control. Have you even called Grace yet?”
“I am going to, Duncan. I was planning to do it tonight, but…”
I trailed off because it was obvious that I was too sloppy drunk to talk to her now.
“Yeah, I agree, sober up first. You need to be sober when you talk to her.”
“I will do it tomorrow.”
Duncan was quiet for a long moment, and I said his name, checking to be sure he was still on the line.
“Yeah, I’m here. Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner tomorrow night?”
I looked around at the room, which was starting to spin. I had a few more days in Denver and the idea of wasting them sitting in the musty bedroom that had haunted my nightmares for decades was less than ideal.
“Sure, man. Just tell me when.”
“I’ll text you with a time. Just one thing, if you don’t arrive sober, I’m going to call a taxi and send your ass right back home, so don’t even think of drinking tomorrow. You got that?”
“Got it, chief,” I said with a dry laugh.
“Take care of yourself, Alex.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Well then prove it and clean your act up. See you tomorrow.”
I hung up the phone, and I knew he was right. I stared at the cans in the trash, and it made me feel pathetic. I heard the front door open, and my mom called out to me.
“I’ll be right there.”
