Resolves Disolves

Take a favorite character you have created. Pick a New Year’s Resolution that they truly intended to keep. Now, why did they break it within 24 hours

The bead of sweat trickled its way down Clarisas face. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the glass of water Damien had placed beside her.

“You can do this you know. Don’t let it rule you. I have taken it all away, there is nothing in the house to tempt you or to remind you of it.”

The glass shook violently as she attempted to drink the choppy water. Damien reached across and took the glass away from her. Clarisa drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly. She lay her face on her knees and looked up at him, her bottom lip trembling.

“How longs it been?”

He smiled with genuine warmth and touched her clammy shoulder. “Its still New Years Day. I have read that the first few days are the worst and you are able to cope without it or think about it after that. Are you sure you want to go cold turkey?”

Clarisa buried her face into her knees and shook. A muffled “Yes” wafted out through her legs as she began to sob.

“Look why don’t you open your last Christmas Presents. It will keep your mind off it all.”

The small figure on the floor drew itself even more tightly inward.

Damien crouched under the tree and grabbed the last two brightly wrapped gifts. “You have some weird family traditions Clarisa – but I guess this one makes sure Christmas lasts even longer..”

He twisted the labels round. “One for you and one for me. Guess who they are from?” His twinkling eyes looked over the wretched figure on the floor. She was now rocking slowly.

“Clarisa, I know you can do this, but don’t do it cold turkey. We can get help you know. There are places we can go to get you help.”

“No!” Clarisas dark eyes burnt up at him as she shrieked. “Its my New Years Resolution. I need to be free from this.”

Gingerly handing her the festooned gift, Damien eyed her warily. “If the wrapping is anything to go by your sister has gone all out this year.”

He carefully opened his gift, noting that hers still sat beside her as she gently rocked and swayed.

“Hey wow, it’s a half size stein. She says she picked it up from a market while she was in the Black Forest. Go on, open yours. I wonder what far fetched place around the globe your pressie is from?”

Clarisa stared at the crisp wrapping debecked with fake holly, berries and ribbons. She stretched a hand out and opened the greeting card.

Sissy, I am in my glory here in Switzerland, Wishing you were here too. Here is a little something I know you will love.

Clarisas breath caught in her throat as she peeled back the paper to reveal an ornate metal box filled with delicate Swiss chocolates.

A small moan passed her lips as she tugged at the final packaging to open the box.

With one hand she snatched three chocolates and forced them into her mouth, tears rolling down her face as she savoured the thick sensuous moulten chocolate delightfully dripping down her throat.

“Not this year, not this year,” she chanted softly to herself, “I’ll give up chocolate next year, really I will.”