One Last Drag

Summary

The story "One Last Drag" by Bob Merckel is a darkly humorous tale about a man's struggle to quit smoking and the unforeseen events that unfold after his friend Shelly's demise.

Abstract

"One Last Drag" is the 48th story in a series of 100, focusing on the theme of quitting smoking. The protagonist, who has been smoke-free for sixteen days, resists the temptation to smoke after a meal with friends, despite the teasing of his friend Roger and the dramatics of Roger's girlfriend, Shelly. The story takes a turn when Shelly, who had just lit up, is killed by a bus, an event that the protagonist seems unaffected by. The author, Bob Merckel, is a writer and language teacher who shares his experiences through his writing and engages with his audience on social media.

Opinions

The protagonist is determined to quit smoking, using a nicotine patch as an aid.
Shelly is portrayed as overly dramatic and somewhat superficial, which is emphasized by her reaction to not smoking after a meal.
The protagonist's lack of empathy towards Shelly after her death suggests a complex relationship or a commentary on the nature of human connections.
The author uses dark humor to convey the story's events, possibly reflecting a view that life is unpredictable and sometimes indifferent to our personal struggles or dramas.

№ 48 of 💯 — There’s more than one way to quit smoking

“You sure?” Roger asked, pushing the pack of Winston Lights toward me.

It’d been sixteen days and I was determined to make it work this time. I’d even gone so far as to swear in public that if I fell off the wagon, I’d go down to the old folks’ home and trim everybody’s toenails.

I gave my shoulder a couple of slaps. “Nope, this patch is giving me all the nicotine I need. But don’t let that stop you from blowing this way,” I said, leaning in towards him and his girlfriend.

Second hand smoke thrills.

“But we just finished eating,” Shelly squealed, twirling her freshly auburned curls around her bejeweled fingernail. “How can you not smoke after a meal? I’d just die.”

Shelly was an actress/model/receptionist with a penchant for “just dying” about most anything. I only put up with her because Roger was such a good mate.

I almost told her that chewing on lime rinds after seven shots of Cuervo really didn’t constitute a meal, but she’d already lit up and was headed outside.

Neither of us bothered to tell her to wipe the salt of her chin.

She never saw the Greyhound coming. It took out the whole front of the bar. Coroner said the driver had a stroke.

I don’t miss her one bit.

Bob Merckel is a writer, language teacher, and corporate refugee who spends most of his time between Barcelona and Provincetown. He usually plays well with others. You can follow him on Twitter @bobzyeruncle.

💯 STORY CHALLENGE

One Last Drag

№ 48 of 💯 — There’s more than one way to quit smoking