Amara Cudney

Merili's Wine Amara Cudney

Merili has been spiraling into a depression since her parents were killed and Lisa, Merili's best friend, becomes increasingly worried. She throws a party where she introduces Dan, the hot new doctor in town, to her friend Merili. She's thrilled with their obvious attraction to each other and sees the beginnings of a love story that she hopes will draw Merili out of her shell. The couple's relationship is based on sexual attraction. The drama begins when it becomes obvious that they are hiding deep secrets about themselves. Red flags riddle the romance but they choose to ignore the warning signs. Dan was abused as a child and has been combating anger issues for many years. He was in therapy but has stopped going even though he has a restraining order against him from his last relationship. He thinks he can control his rage and continues to blame others for his problems. Merili has been drinking since she was a young girl. She knew she drank differently from the kids in high school but she also believes that she has control. Since her parent's death, her alcohol addiction has escalated, but not even Lisa realizes how much Merili is drinking. They spend months planning their marriage and their move to Hawaii, a place they both love. But Merili is lonely there and feels unanchored. She begins to drink more. Dan hates it. He becomes violently abusive and their secrets begin to surface. Merili is forced to pull out of her drunken stupor when Lisa visits the island and tells her that she's been arrested for drunk driving and almost killing a child. For the first time in her life she is forced to face her alcoholism and discover if she has the strength and courage to be there for someone else. Meanwhile Dan struggles with his own demons. He becomes involved with his assistant, Sarah, and struggles to overcome his anger but makes a mess of it. Now Dan has to decide what he is going to do. Merili's Wine is a psychological drama about addiction, recovery and love. You will laugh, cry and identify with the characters, many of them whom you will recognize.