Back to School

Back to School Night used to be the bane of my existence. I dreaded it. Every parent, neighbor and peer pushed into an auditorium—elbow to elbow—with nowhere to hide what you had been doing. Forced small talk with people probing. And me, with red, bloodshot eyes and flushed cheeks all too evident; my breath too easily checked. The loudness of my voice, my choice of words, and my general demeanor screamed, Alcoholic parent! Danger!