*Adult Content* 

For the last two weeks, my secret best friend has been missing. I searched high and low, all over town, but the supply had run dry. I was used to a particular morning routine and when that best friend was gone, I was devastated. I barely made it to work when I needed to, usually 5 or 10 minutes late, to my co-workers' chagrin. They didn't understand, I don't know if you will either.

The free-basing started innocently enough, mostly out of curiousity. I didn't want to spend the money initially. Seemed out of my reach financially, but the long hours at work and the physical and emotional stress of three high-energy children made me feel as if I had no other choice. I started with one each morning before I went to work, just as a jump start to the day. Pretty soon, I was having it every day, even the days I was home with my kids. What I am saying, especially when I was at home with my kids. I once caught one of my kids getting into it, but she seemed okay, not affected after she put some in her mouth. I was worried, but thankfully, nothing happened.

Two weeks ago, the supply dried up, along with my extra energy and enthusiasm I used to bring to work each day. I was desperate. I stopped at the usual corner places that used to carry it, but I always came out empty-handed. I became depressed, despondent, withdrawn, I even cried after one particularly stressful day last week when three doctors and a back-sassing cafeteria worker yelled at me in frustration. I tried other substances to increase my energy, but nothing worked like my ol' best friend.

Today, the sun shone.  On an outing with my family, I discovered one of my sources was again stocked with this best friend I have gone without for 2 weeks, cold turkey. I nearly cried, falling to my knees, overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of feeling that high I had been craving for two weeks. Nothing had come close to replacing that feeling I loved so much.

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Yes, Starbucks Doubleshots are again available at my local WalMart Supercenter.  My life can now return to "normal," whatever that is.