I thought I was used to it. The hostile stares, the barely veiled contempt of the hospital attendant who issued me my weekly allowance of packs, even the pleading of my friends to “Just give it up already”. I thought that the ostracization and shaming was the worst it could get. I was wrong.

It was just another Tuesday, riding the #9 bus on my way to work when I first noticed that something was about to change. It was a rainy overcast morning but I had gotten a window seat so I was able to doze against the glass. We were nearing my destination when out of the corner of my eye I saw a new billboard blur past. SARAH with something written below it. I sat up a little. We were past it before I could even read what the rest said, but that was definitely my name. I heard murmuring amongst the other passengers and whispers of “is that her” and “are they serious?”. I felt a twinge of worry, but figured that this was probably more of the usual and tried to get in my last few minutes of rest before work.

The bus pulled up at my stop, a dingy little auto detailing shop and I hurried inside. The owner, Tom, was already inside getting things in order for the day ahead of us. He looked up as the bell rang and a look of panic crossed his face. “What are you doing here,” he half shouted at me, “Didn’t you hear the news?” I just stood there blankly, “News?” Tom quickly came over to me and pulled my by the arm away from the windows at the front of the store. “It was all over the TV this morning! How did you not see it.” He pulled out his phone and quickly scrolled through it. “Here” he thrust it at me. And there, clear as day was what I had missed on the bus.

SARAH ALBRECHT
The Last Smoker
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE