Page 194 of Dance of Defiance
You got it
Guess I’m going to AA.
Wheldon, the forty-seven-year-old realtor, cold-plunge enthusiast, and father of two, leads a men’s meeting on Tuesday nights. He also just became my sponsor.
Wheldon
Listen, where you are right now is the hard part. But it’s also the easiest. All you have to do is keep moving forward. You’re stronger than you think. And you’re gonna love the guys. It’s a real good group.
I swallow, smiling wryly.
Me
Does it get easier?
Wheldon
Yes. But it gets harder, too. It’s one day at a time, man.
I glance over the AA PDF he’s already emailed over, and my mouth twists.
Me
There’s a lot of God in AA, huh?
Wheldon
It’s up to you. Does the big guy’s name pop up a lot in the original Twelve Traditions? Yeah. But it’s not mandatory to your recovery.
Me
I’m not religious at all.
Maybe I used to be. But I think I lost that when I lost my mom.
Wheldon
All good, Roman. I’m a complete atheist. Some of the guys are real into the religious aspect, some aren’t. We’ve got a Catholic priest in the mix as well as a self-described Wiccan Warlock.
I smile. Then one of the questions I’ve been avoiding swims to the surface.
Me
How well does AA work?
Wheldon
Honestly, it depends on the person.
Me
What’s the relapse rate?
Wheldon
90%
Fuck.
