The secret addiction

Trevor clasped his hands to prevent them from shaking on the cold mahogany conference table. The compulsion to reach into his jacket pocket was now almost impossible to resist.

The General Manager paused his monotonous droning to sip some bottled water.

Trevor looked down at his digital watch. 1:15pm. Another hour and fifteen before he could get his next fix. Theoretically he could do it, he lasted longer than this before, but for some reason today felt particularly strenuous.

The General Manager cleared his throat and continued his rant about maintenance costs. Trevor lifted his head and caught Jessica looking at him. She smiled endearingly. "Don't worry", she seemed to say, "your presentation will be great."

But Trevor wasn't worried about the presentation. His angst concerned the contents of his jacket pocket and the eternity that would pass before he could reach for it.

Trevor nodded at Jessica and she turned towards the presentation. Of course he knew he had a problem. He had no issues admitting that to himself. He just couldn't possibly let his friends and family know.

How could he share the shameful secret buried deep inside of him for so many years?

How could he possibly let anyway know that he was a 37 year old adult addicted to Tamagotchis?

Trevor pictured his 5 children curled around the keyring in his pocket. His exotic family was growing beautifully and sound asleep. All except Pepperino his beloved dragon. Trevor blinked twice as he thought of Pepperino.

Pepperino had fallen ill in the morning. Trevor administered the necessary medication, but Pepperino didn't like that. It took half an hour of play and thirty snacks to finally liven Pepperino up again, but that was at least 5 hours ago and his second dose was well overdue!

Trevor could almost feel Pepperino's digital countenance falling as his pixelated wings flapped at one frame per second.

"Thanks for that Steve." Sarah, the CEO, stood as she addressed everyone at the table. "We've been here for quite some time, how about we all take a 30min break to stretch our legs."

Trevor lurched forward in his chair. Did he hear her correctly? Were they taking a break?!

The slow rising bodies confirmed his burning assumption. Trevor whipped out of his chair and started for the door. Jessica rose from her seat, "Trev, wait-"

Trevor's words erupted much louder than he expected.

"NOT NOW JESSICA!"

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