Chapter 1

It's on particular nights like these when the feeling of grief overwhelms Kanan Davenport; like a cup flowing over, he feels the urge to drink. The sun had dipped below the horizon. Warm hues of red and orange filled the evening sky, creating a breathtaking view that drew Kanan to his window to take in its sight. Amidst the transition of day and night, when the world seems to pause, Kanan starts to think about life once more. He threw on a black hoodie, a white t-shirt underneath, peeking through the bottom of his hoodie, and black sweatpants with white shoes thirty minutes after taking in the sunset. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit the local small bar that was only a five-minute walk from his apartment. The chilly night air greeted him, brushing his cheeks and hands that he dipped in the pockets of his hoodie. His phone, keys, and some cash he had lying around occupied the pockets of his sweatpants.

Kanan rarely indulges in alcohol. His tolerance was practically nonexistent. He made a grand discovery in college that he had what his friend had described as the cutest drinking habit. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate a well-crafted drink; he disliked how it affected him. His first encounter with alcohol was when he was twelve years old. Kanan had wondered what the strong aroma hints of vanilla that would fill the air when his father had a drink tasted like. He was curious and thought he would be cool if he consumed the liquid. Kanan took the tall bottle of white rum his father stashed in the cupboards. He poured some over the soda he bought home from school that day. His first mistake was going for his father's favorite rum. Pouring out too generously was his second mistake, resulting in the scent filling the room. Frightened, he hurriedly put it back before anyone could notice. He twirled the bottle to combine the two liquids. Kanan went in for a taste. The warm liquid hit the back of his throat, leaving a noticeable heat. It was a miracle that he didn't get caught.

Kanan scrunched his face at the intense flavors. He discarded the remaining liquid in the kitchen sink. His habits that presented themselves in college further fueled his avoidance of alcohol. Kanan was willing to bypass his past commitments and have a drink or two that night. He swore that he would go for something mild to provide a sense of relaxation. Alcohol was not something Kanan kept at home. He craved a breath of fresh air and a stroll, and with a bar nearby, it was the perfect opportunity.

With heavy steps, he passed by faces from all walks of life, each with their destination, purpose, and dreams. An ache in his heart accompanied him. His emotions were a mixture of sadness and appreciation. The night was calm, the lights bathing the pavements with their glow. Finally, he came to his destination. Brews and Views was its name. The view was nothing to compliment, but he liked the name either way. It was his first time at Brews and Views. Feeling slightly anxious, he entered the bar.

The interior of the small bar was cozy and dimly lit. To his right was a polished mahogany bar top, worn-out black leather barstools scattered around it, seats lined a wall-mounted bar table with a window to his left, and tables at the back. The wall had vintage beer ads and wooden wall art. "Group Therapy." "Enjoy cold and fresh beer" and "No work during drinking hours." just to name a few. The bar had a limited number of patrons. Kanan took a seat at the bar top.

"What can I get you tonight?" The bartender asked with a friendly smile. Leana, her name tag read, had short, brown, curly hair tied in a messy bun. Her cheeks were peppered with freckles, adding a touch of charm to her appearance. She wore a forest green top, black jeans, and an apron to complete her look.

Kanan's knowledge of the extensive drink menu was limited. He was familiar with classic options like gin and tonic, martini, margarita, and drinks served on the rocks. Granted, he only knew them in name. "I'm looking to try something that's not too strong. Could you recommend me a drink that you think is good? Something to help me relax. I don't know much about drinks."

"Of course! If you're looking for something to help you relax, how about a Mojito?" She asked.

"Let's go with that," Kanan replied, intrigued by the name. Admittedly, The Mojito piqued his interest. It was a drink he never heard of, and he was willing to put his taste buds to the test.

He looked around the bar to take in its interior once more. "Name's Kanan," He introduced himself, trying to make light conversation.

"Leana," She replied. "So, how's your day been so far?" She asked.

"I've had better days," He gave an awkward smile. "Having one of those days where you remember something and a wave of emotions comes crashing down." Kanan found himself rambling to Leana. Maybe it was her warm and welcoming demeanor that made him feel comfortable to open up to her. "I don't even drink yet...here I was in a bar ordering a Mojito for the first time."

A small laughter ensued. "We all have those days," Leana offered a sympathetic smile. "Sometimes trying something new can help ease those memories. And hey, Mojitos are quite refreshing even for your first time." She gestured to the drink in front of him. "Enjoy."

"Thank you."

The first sip of Mojito was like a symphony for Kanan's taste buds. "This is good." Leana felt pleased with his compliment. The drink was a visual masterpiece; the clarity of the liquid gave a clear view of the vibrant green of the mint leaves and slices of lime. "What's in this?" He inquired.

"It's made with fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, white rum, and soda water, making it a choice for a light and enjoyable drink." Her friendly tone was refreshing for Kanan. The mixture of white rum reminded him of his younger self; he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. The taste of lime and mint leaves, the sweetness from the sugar, and the nostalgia from the white rum and soda add a playful sparkle to create a harmonious balance. Despite white rum being his first encounter with alcohol, he hasn't had it since.

Kanan, who arrived disheartened, was pleased with his decision to visit Brews and Views. He found himself in a place of comfort, and experiencing that sense of contentment made him drink more than he could handle. He left the bar drunk, Leana hoping he'd make it home safe. His initial commitment to have up to two drinks almost became five.

His unsteady steps led him to the nearest store. It was something he loved about the area he had moved into. Everything was at the touch of a fingertip. He didn't have to worry about a long or short drive to get things he needed. A simple walk was enough. In his drunken state, a sudden craving for ice cream washed over him, evoking a childlike excitement as he happily imagined eating the frozen treat. Greeted by the sudden chime from the door upon opening, Kanan went straight for the target. He opened the fridge to a colorful selection of different flavors and sizes. Kanan grabbed a large tub of strawberry ice cream, a change from his usual cookies and cream. He made his way to this cashier with slight sways.

"That'll be ten dollars." The cashier said. Kanan fumbled through his pockets for the money he needed. Without bothering to count it, he placed what he had on the counter. "You're a dollar short."

He dipped into his pockets once more; nothing. He placed his phone and keys on the counter and patted himself down to make sure. A pang of sadness hit him, knowing he wouldn't have the ice cream he craved. Dejected, he placed his phone and keys back into his pockets. That was when a voice came from beside him. "I'll pay for it." The low, smooth tone captured his attention. The man beside him was a Ray of hope in his time of need.

He handed the cashier his card, and Kanan took back his money. A smile spread across his lips. "Thank you." He suddenly grabbed the stranger's hand in his, grasping it tightly. " I'll make sure to repay you."

"That's okay." The stranger said.

Kanan wasn't backing down. The alcohol was talking, and his drunk tendencies were surfacing. "You bought me ice cream; how could I not repay you?" To Kanan, the ice cream was something he truly valued, and he felt a deep sense of obligation to repay this person. "Look at how big you're hands are," Kanan giggled as he compared the two.

Flustered by the situation, the stranger thanked the cashier and ushered Kanan out of the store after receiving his card and the ice cream. It didn't take long for him to realize he was drunk. The unmistakable scent of alcohol was a telltale sign of intoxication. He handed Kanan the ice cream. "Again, don't worry about repaying me."

"I won't rest until I pay you back," Kanan said. "Do you know how happy you made me feel with this ice cream? Now, I can't promise I'll give you some, but I'll give you something else."

The stranger couldn't help but notice Kanan's unwavering determination and how his intoxication intensified it. "Okay. I'll give you my number, and we can decide how you'll repay me when you're sober."

Kanan smiled, lifting his free hand for a high-five. He, at this point, had gotten used to Kanan's behavior and returned the high-five. What he didn't expect was Kanan to intertwine his fingers in his. "Promise?"

"Promise." He took a pen from the lining of his jacket and wrote down his number on the receipt he had gotten.

They exchanged a series of goodbyes and went on their way. The ice cream started to melt, but Kanan didn't mind. His steps were light on his way home. The night sky seemed like a breathtaking spectacle that made him gaze upon it in silence. The night that he dived into on a whim gained him an experience that he may drop his head in embarrassment or think of as a fun story he could tell in years to come. Maybe both. One thing Kanan knew was that when he woke up tomorrow, he wouldn't regret a thing. Every choice, whether wise or impulsive, was a part of his journey. That was how he decided to live.

Kanan's unsteady fingers struggled to find the keyhole as he fumbled with the front door. It took several attempts in his drunken state, making the task more challenging than it should have been. Finally, the key clicked into place, and his door opened to reveal his humble abode. He went to the kitchen after struggling to find the switch to turn on the lights. Finding a spoon, he ate the ice cream he longed for. Each spoonful was a mixture of sweetness and the Mojito he had enjoyed earlier. After savoring his fill, Kanan placed the remainder of the ice cream in the fridge. Exhaustion had started to take over him. The comfort of his bed was in sight, and he nested himself in. Kanan's eyelid grew heavy, and he surrendered to the soothing embrace of slumber, letting the tranquility of sleep carry him away into a deep slumber.