The Last Antacid

Harlan's thoughts trod the worn path of self-hate and hopelessness without him noticing.  It was a warm burn behind the eyes and a tightness in this stomach that never went away, no matter what over the counter medicine he tried.  He swallowed the chalkiness of antacid and his waist bent, and his arm performed the motion of picking up the wrapper he dropped next to the trashcan.  If he knew it would be his last antacid, Harlan might have tried to let it linger, despite the unpleasant taste.