My Little Lie About That Drink

Hey everyone, it’s Sarah here from behind the bar. I’ve been working in this place for a few months now and overall, things have been going great. But you know what they say, every cloud has its silver lining, right? Well, mine came with a bit of a tinge to it recently. It happened last week when this regular named Mike came in around closing time. He always tries to catch me before I head home because we used to go to school together and he’s still as friendly as ever, or maybe even more pushy now that he knows my schedule better. Anyways, one night, after a long day at work, I wasn’t really up for chatting much, let alone having another drink. But of course, Mike had something in mind. He asked me if I wanted to join him for his usual order, a strong whiskey with some kind of fancy mix that makes it look like less than what it is. And honestly, all I felt was exhausted and needed sleep badly. So, instead of being honest about how tired I was, I told Mike that I had already drunk my fill for the night and didn’t want to overdo it. It felt good at first because lying seemed easier than telling him the truth. But as soon as he left, the guilt hit me. It’s not like I’m someone who lies often, I value honesty too much. But that day was just rough, and I guess sometimes we all need a break from reality. The next night when Mike stopped by again, though, I felt compelled to be truthful with him this time around. So yeah, that's my little white lie about not wanting another drink. Turns out it wasn’t really about the alcohol at all, it was just about me needing some space and rest.