Page 161 of Champagne Nights

I really didn’t want to go, but Ben did, so I agreed. As the meeting was about to start, we walked into the room and took our seats in the last row, except this time, we sat next to each other. My eyes scanned the beige-colored walls and the different pictures that sat upon them that I hadn’t noticed the last time. The pictures were all different quotes. There were quotes about life, strength, sickness, and faith. Tears sprang to my eyes as we sat there and listened to some people talk. Their stories and words were so similar to mine that hearing it from someone else was heartbreaking. Jessica had asked if anyone else would like to go up and say a few words, and when nobody else volunteered, she said it was mingling time. Ben looked over and smiled at me.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Yeah. Coffee sounds good.”

We got up, walked over to the white linen table, and poured some coffee. There was an array of cookies that sat on a white platter. As Ben and I took one, Jessica, the counselor, walked up to us.

“Welcome back. I haven’t seen the two of you since that night you introduced yourselves.” She smiled.

“Thank you. I’ve been busy.”

“Me too,” I replied.

“Did the two of you come together? I saw you walk in.”

“Yeah. We did,” Ben spoke. “We’re coffee buddies.”

She looked at him and then at me with a sly grin. “That’s great. I hope to see the two of you again soon.”

As she turned and walked away, I looked at Ben, and he smiled. “Did you see that look?” I asked.

“Yeah. I can only imagine what was going through her head.”

An older woman who appeared to be in her sixties approached the table and poured some coffee. When she went to put a packet of sugar in her cup, she accidentally knocked it off, and coffee spilled everywhere.

“Let me help you,” Ben said as he grabbed several napkins.

“Oh no. I’m such a klutz.”

She seemed really upset, so I poured her another cup while Ben cleaned up the mess.

“Do you only take one sugar?” I asked.

“Yes. You’re very kind.” She smiled. “My husband always said I was the clumsiest person he’d ever met. God rest his soul. I miss him terribly.”

I handed her a cup of coffee, and before taking it from me, she gently placed her hand on mine. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry about your husband. When did he pass away?”

“Twelve years ago.”

I gulped, looked at Ben, and then back at her. “Twelve years, and you’re still coming to these meetings?”

“Yes. It’s become my ritual and routine now. There’s no place I’d rather be. I’ve watched so many people come and go throughthe years and have heard so many stories. It’s sad but comforting at the same time.”

An older woman came up behind her and took her over to the other side of the room.

“Did you hear that? Twelve years, Ben.”

He chuckled. “I heard. That’s just crazy.”

I shook my head and didn’t want to return here ever again. We headed to the parking lot, and Ben opened the truck door for me. As soon as he climbed in, he shut it, reached over, and grabbed my hand. He held it the whole way home.

I sat at my desk,sipping on my hazelnut latte from Starbucks, when a text message from Ben came through.

“Good morning. I just wanted to tell you that.”

I smiled.

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