Abby woke to the sound of monitors screaming and someone weeping beside her. She found herself on a hard gurney with her head resting on what felt like cold concrete. “Her BAC was 2.5. Girl’s lucky to be alive.” She heard the doctor whisper to someone nearby. As she stirred from her coma, it became apparent she was in a hospital room and the person weeping was her mother, brows creased with wrinkles from years of stress. Her mother’s eyes were streaked with mascara from where her tears had made it run down her cheeks. It took a moment to realize the doctor in question was talking about her. She had no recollection of the night or even days previous. What day was it anyway? The last thing she remembered was someone daring her to take 5 tequila shots in a row. Geez…she must have nearly killed herself with that reckless behavior. She needed to change her ways and fast.

Her head was pounding and the room spun in a funnel around her. She closed her eyes, wincing in pain. How had she been such a careless jackass? She obviously couldn’t drink anymore…starting henceforth. She almost never heard he Mama’s sweet voice again. Nearly missed her son’s future graduation from college. Could have left her parents childless as she was the only child. The guilt overtook her soul and she gave in to tears herself.

“Oh thank god! She’s awake! Babygirl, you scared us” her mother exclaimed with renewed tears.

She was mute…unable to do anything but weakly smile. Her body felt heavy and numb, but her thoughts were racing like a pack of horses. She couldn’t bear that she had hurt so many people and nearly cut off her own life. From that point on, she would be a new person, she vowed internally. With God’s grace, she would be okay and treasure every moment like her last…because after today…it could be.