I Landed My Dream Job, Then I Killed Myself

Fresh out of college, I landed a job that paid five hundred grand a year.

My mother was so happy she threw a celebration dinner, laughing as she nudged me to go around and toast everyone.

At the party, relatives praised how far I'd come.

My high school teacher said I had a limitless future.

The couple from next door even pressed a thick red envelope into my hand.

I finished my drink, my heart pounding fast, my face flushing redder and redder.

"Keep drinking, everyone. I'll go buy another bottle of whiskey."

My mother stood up.

The chair scraped against the floor with a harsh screech.