A few folks from the table behind me not so gently nudged me forward. “Now, you be a good girl, probably for the first time in y’life, and come up here and kiss my glass for good luck. Don’t worry about keeping up with us. We gotta worry ’bout keeping up with you.”

I came up and took his glass. I planted a big kiss on the side of it, knowing damn well that wasn’t what he meant. I winked at him and smiled. He laughed heartily. I took a sip. The tub liquor burned down my throat and made my heartflame rage.

811 words.