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Closing his eyes, he bit his bottom lip and pleasured himself, getting lost in the world around him. The loud knocking on the bathroom door pulled him from his euphoria, and his hand slid off his arousal.
“You good, Mikey?”
Annoyance made him lose control and he finished before he was ready, groaning out in frustration at his brother. “I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.” Why was he checking on him? It was just a damn shower!
He finished getting ready and found that his brother had made him a nice breakfast spread. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, and tortillas, and Michael’s stomach growled at the sight. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I woke up hungry. What are your plans today?”
Michael served himself a plate. “I got an AA meeting to get to at eight. Then I’m gonna go down and talk to Steve down at the mechanic shop and see if he needs any help.”
“He liked you before all this happened. You know your cars. I’m sure he would love it.”
“I need a job. I hope so, or I’ll be flipping burgers or sacking groceries. This town doesn’t really have a whole lot in it.”
Mitch swirled his tortilla in some hot sauce. “How long are they giving you to get a job?”
“She didn’t say, but I got the impression it needs to be soon.”
“My boss might need another farmhand. I’ll see today when I go in.”
“Thanks, brother. I appreciate all this.”
“You need to add talking to Marilyn to that list.”
Michael immediately thought about his fun in the shower but omitted it from the conversation. “Nah. I’m good. I’ll see you later.”
The morning air was cool and humid, and he walked toward town. His brother lived about half a mile from the city limits and the church wasn’t too much farther of a walk. He needed a job, a car, and a counselor… he had to take a deep breath to calm himself down and not get overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed meant finding a quick escape, which meant drugs and alcohol, which would lead him right back to prison where he didn’t want to be.
People were gathered out in front of the church, shaking hands and going inside. Michael stood back, allowing everyone their entrance before approaching. He was never a sociable guy, what intellects would call an introvert, so going to a gathering like this was out of his comfort zone. He’d do it to stay out of prison, but it was not his thing.
He went to the back and grabbed a cup of coffee and a muffin, despite being stuffed from Mitch’s breakfast. Choosing a seat away from the front, he sipped on the caffeine. It wasn’t the best coffee he’d ever had, but it was better than what was given to him in the last four years.
Thankfully, no one said anything to him. Everyone sat down, some talking, others quiet like him. He saw some familiar faces and he didn’t feel near the judgment he had at the diner the day before. There was a podium at the front of the room, donning the AA logo and the theme – “First things first” … “Live and let live” … and “Easy Does It.” Michael couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Slogans and inspirational quotes annoyed him.
“Good morning, everyone!” A woman stood at the podium – wavy blond hair, conservative makeup, slim build, and a beautiful smile. He wouldn’t describe her as plain – she was natural, and not extravagant like Marilyn could be. Damn it… he had to stop thinking about her and comparing others to her. This woman was a stranger, and he had no business ever being with Marilyn again.
“My name is Haize.”
“Hello, Haize,” the room said in unison.
“A lot of you know me. I do see some new faces. Welcome to our early bird meeting. Sometimes we have even earlier meetings, but this is what you get for today!” She smiled and it brightened up her face. “I normally give my little story, but today we have a new person who is going to take the time to talk about their life and their new road to recovery.”
Michael felt his face heat up. Was she talking about him? He hadn’t conferred with anyone about getting up to the front of the room. Had his parole officer done this? Suddenly, the room felt smaller, and he wanted to leave. But he couldn’t leave. He had to get his paper signed to prove he was there.
“May I introduce Sammy to you!” She motioned toward an older man who walked up to the podium, paper in hand.
Relief settled Michael down and he sat forward in his seat, listening to the man’s story and how he had been sober for ten days. Ten days. It was ten days, and it was admirable.
He looked around the room. Others were looking at him. Before he knew it, the meeting was over, and people were gathered around talking. He tapped his leg, feeling the paper in his pocket. And then he spotted her sliding the podium back to a closet in the hallway.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” He felt stupid.
She closed the closet, her smile growing when she saw him. “Can I help you?”
“I’m not sure who I need to get with about this, but I need this paper signed.” He slid it out of his pocket and unfolded it. “Proof of attendance.”
“I can sign it.” She beckoned him down the hallway. “I’m sure there’s a pen in one of these offices down here. First time?”
