A Body Blow to Denial

It was my usual routine when I was away from on business: finish work and park myself at a restaurant with a friendly bar. I'd start with a series of double martinis, order dinner, go back to the bar for some after-dinner Scotch, then return to my motel for a decent night's sleep. I'd be off on my rounds the next morning and repeat the restaurant-bar scene that night. My company covered travel expenses, and what portion of my liquor bill couldn't be hidden under the food and lodging budget could become part of something else. I did well for the company on the road. I kept my expenses within reason so no one looked too closely at them.