Dipsomania

John and Gwen are the picture of young love: passionate, hopeful, and deeply connected. John, a hardworking deli manager with a magnetic smile, and Gwen, a radiant woman with dreams of motherhood, share a bond that seems unbreakable. When Gwen discovers she’s pregnant after years of trying, their joy is palpable. John, moved by the news, vows to curb his drinking—a promise that fills Gwen with relief and happiness. But beneath the surface, John is fighting a battle Gwen doesn’t fully see. The pressures of work, the exhaustion of teaching new employees, and the weight of impending fatherhood push him toward his old coping mechanism: alcohol. He hides miniature bottles in his pockets, sneaks sips in the back of the deli, and convinces himself he’s in control. Gwen, blinded by love and the excitement of their new life, chooses to believe him. The Dream Turns to Nightmare Their son’s birth should be a turning point, a moment of pure joy. For a while, it is. The park picnics, the shared laughter, and the quiet moments of family bliss paint a perfect picture. But John’s addiction is a shadow that grows longer with each passing day. A “harmless” flask at the park sparks a violent argument. Gwen’s pleas fall on deaf ears as John’s temper flares, revealing the monster his addiction has unleashed.