Short Story

Just An Average Junkie

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Alright, alright, alright!
It’s time once again for a Six Sentence Story,
this time incorporating the word ‘remote’.
Here’s mine, with a few other prompts just for fun.

The reflection of my timeworn face in the bathroom mirror is harrowing, one I still can’t accept is me .… someone who was always strikingly attractive, impeccably dressed with my designer labels neatly tucked away and out of sight; these days I see only one person on a regular basis and he doesn’t give a shit what I look like as long as I have the money to pay him. 

There’s that old twitch in my left eye, an unwelcome reminder that a killer headache and nausea are about to overtake me if I don’t eat some Skittles, a much more socially acceptable term than that hushed-up, dirty little name that makes all the so-called ‘well-adjusted’ people cringe as though in the presence of a leper; fucking hypocrites who gleefully suck up their  gummies and hemp oil and legalized medical marijuana while sipping on their “superb organic Pouilly-Fiussé”. 

 My hands are shaking in equal amounts of excitement and desperation as I check out what my guy has delivered today – reds, blues and yellows – a difficult choice, to be sure, but the numerous voices in my head have made a unanimous decision: mellow yellow to match my jaundiced skintone and disposition; yes, I’ve read the headlines and the fine print warnings – I’m not an idiot, you know, and that makes me laugh out loud! 

Let’s see what’s in the magician’s box to fix this sallow complexion …. spackle-like primer to fill in the yawning crevices around my mouth, foundation with a bit of a dewy finish (or so the advertisements promise), creamy rosy blush for my cheeks, glossy brush-on plumper for luscious lips, pencil to fill in my threadbare brows, glittery highlighter to lessen the deep-set appearance of my eyes and layer upon layer of mascara on my straggly lashes.

Looking at my reflection once again, I see that I’m now back .… returned from the dead, if you will …. and I look sensational, provocative and sensual with just the right touch of promiscuousness, yet there are two burned-out, remote eyes blankly staring back at me. 

I slip into my work clothes, ready for another night hitting the pavement, when I feel that familiar sensation and I’m faced with the recurring stalemate – whether I should just take all the pretty candy, lie down and pray I never wake up or put myself back on the meat market to earn enough money for another bag of Skittles; “Fuck it, I’m already dressed” I think as I pop a red and slam the door behind me.

NAR©2024

Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt!
FOWC with Fandango — Superb
FOWC with Fandango — Attractive
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Timeworn
FOWC with Fandango — Headline
FOWC with Fandango — Unanimous
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Labels
FOWC with Fandango — Thread
FOWC with Fandango — Stalemate
FOWC with Fandango — Harrowing

This is “The Pusher” by Steppenwolf

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

58 thoughts on “Just An Average Junkie”

    1. All she’s concerned with now is having enough money to pay for the drugs and she’ll get it any way she can. These insidious drugs leave people like the walking dead or just dead. Truly shameful. I’m sure this wasn’t her dream life.

      On a happier note, welcome back, Keith! Sounds like you had a spectacular get-away.

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  5. A masterwork of prompt-writing.*

    addiction is a horrible, but all too available illustration of the concept of personal reality.**

    *all too often I find myself scrolling through a story, “there’s got to be a place where I stick this damn word” I am inspired to try the old-school write-off-the-prompt-word

    **a small but very real aspect of what we experience every day, nothing as spectacular as magical powers or talking trees but as ‘real’ as it needs to be to allow one to find their own path

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    1. Our 31 yr old nephew OD’d in 2018, after spending a considerably long time in rehab. One big problem that exists after rehab – there’s no one to help the people find work once they’re out. They’re on their own. Our nephew was doing day labor, waiting at the spot with a bunch of other guys hoping to get chosen for a day of work. He was getting fewer and fewer job, then found himself meeting up with friends he made in rehab, going to McDonalds or for a slice of pizza and before you know it, it’s back to bad company, bad habits and finally, OD-ing. Really terribly sad state of affairs.

      Well, thanks much for this glowing comment! Honestly, I don’t look for the words …. they sorta find me and it all works out rather nicely. I like a good challenge. Need to disprove the old dog, new tricks theory. LOL

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  10. Nancy, I agree with the many who’ve already stated this is excellent writing. You do so well at making us feel all the sensations of your characters. I’m astonished by all the writing prompts you combined. (Ok, I’m envious. I wish I could write like that.)

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    1. Oh, Manette! Thank you so much! 😊

      Please do not be astonished or envious; I’m not all that special, believe me. While I’ve been blessed with a healthy imagination, it’s the prompt words that find me; I simply answer the call to write.

      As always, I am honored and humbled by your gracious comments. ✌🏼

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  12. It is a battle between the chemistry of life versus the cornucopia of drugs offered on the street for disillusioned and depreessed souls struggling with a challenging and indifferent reality.

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    1. A very thought-provoking statement, Gerry. There is certainly no lack of street drugs available, that’s for sure.

      I hate to say it but I believe we are losing the ‘War On Drugs‘ declared by President Nixon 53 years ago. Such a tragic state of affairs.

      ~ Nancy

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  17. Well, that was a gut-punch. Hopelessness wrapped up in colorful candy darkness. So perfectly done, Nancy, can’t help but wince at her pain.

    And feel one’s heart clench in sympathy, because this’ll end soon and not well.

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    1. It’s a horror show, Liz. Our nephew OD’d in 2018 after years of rehab. He had trouble finding work and started meeting up with old friends. It didn’t take long for him to start using again. There aren’t enough good programs to help addicts find work after rehab and that’s a crime.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Thanks very much, Sweets.

      I remember years ago there was an ad campaign with kids shouting out what they wanted to be when they grew up. The tag line was “Nobody every says ‘When I grow up I wanna be a junkie’.”

      I’ve never forgotten the impact of those words.

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  23. I absolutely agree with Marleen and Fandango….a totally bang on tale of an addicts life! You are such a talented writer.

    I was never in that position but through circumstances I became addicted to prescription drugs after breaking my back. The drs handed them out like sweets… Help was hard to find but eventually I had to go through cold turkey and I can tell you withdrawal was the hardest thing I have ever done. ….Pregrabalin , Gabapentin and Tramadol …. Are a curse …. It took over a year but I made it….. There but for the grace of God we all go. 💜💜💜

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    1. Thanks for your very kind words, Willow! I really do appreciate them.

      I think anyone who has been in your position, or mine, having had multiple surgeries, it’s extremely difficult to stop taking pain meds. In my case, any kind of pain med makes me nauseated and I have to first take an anti-nausea pill. I hated taking so many pills so I just stopped. I go to physical therapy and take Advil. It’s too damn easy to get hooked.

      Bravo to you for sticking with it; it’s not easy! 🩶

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    1. Thanks so much, Fan.

      As I said to Willow, after having multiple surgeries, the pain meds were freely prescribed and I was told to ‘anticipate the pain’ and take a pill before it got to hard to handle. My mind isn’t programmed that way. I can’t take any pain meds, even the smallest dosage, without getting violently nauseated. I just can’t be bothered with all that crap.

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