Amelioration

I've got a friend probably winding down after his work shift on the patio of a local saloon. I'd go visit with him but for hostiles in the vicinity and I don't want to hurt anyone, you know. It's really too bad. But, considering I really shouldn't go there anyway, well, that's a conundrum, isn't it? The stuff really is poison.

My father apologized to me for imbibing. Specifically, he too might have had a few after work, come home and lose his temper over one thing or another and get hostile. Sometimes violent. He was a double-binder, for sure. He hated 'college guys' who'd get promoted ahead of him. (They studied while he had those few.) But my schoolwork could never be good enough for him. When came time to think about 'careering', major studies and the like, he would pontificate, "You're floundering!" He was no help. I despised him.

He did meekly apologized ten years later. I pitied him. He knew he had done harm and he wanted to feel less responsible for harming me. I still despise people who do such psychic harm and are oblivious to it on account of their vanity. Enhanced by the booze.

But I do understand. They know they made bad choices and medicate themselves. To forget their regret. I know, having chosen to love these inebriates and their enablers. It goes nowhere. Hence I will not go there. I will do no harm.