When I was 12 years old my mother, my brother and I attended a family reunion. I recall that this side of the family was well antiquated with what seemed like great wealth and success. That vague and all too familiar sense that I somehow didn't fit in was ever-present. The achievements and ambitions of others often afforded me the opportunity to minimize my own existence by comparison. It's okay I just don't belong. I happened to wander into the garage and find a refrigerator that had only one purpose, keeping hundreds of beers cold. I was all alone with all those beers. I cracked one open and gulped it down. I loved the taste and the way It fizzled in my stomach. I threw away the can and grabbed another. I would repeat this five times. A new sense of consciousness came over me. I felt happy free and connected to the rest of the world. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my time at the reunion. Alcohol, for a time, would be the solution to all my problems.