Emily

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Emily cringed.

“There but for the grace of god”? Really Michael, she thought.

Ever since she started going to A.A. meetings he just couldn’t help finding some way to throw it back at her and demean the progress, structure, friends and peace she had found. He even went to some meetings to see “what it was all about”, he said.

God she hated him sometimes. Smug bastard, I could kill him in his sleep, she thought. It would be so easy.

But they had been together this long. And he wasn’t all bad. He did have his charm. And he meant well. It was just he was such a prickly ass sometimes.

Like several weeks, after the incident in the woods, that he had come home one Saturday gushing. “She’s one of you. That woman in the woods. The muddy dogs. The leashes, or lack there-of, more accurately and the attitude. Oh my god she’s one of you.”

What are you talking about? Said Emily.

“I was doing some research on your program and I saw her.”

My program. Said Emily. What is wrong with you Michael?

“Me? Nothing is wrong with me. I’m not the one doing the steps.” He used air quotes.

Oh my god Michael. You bastard.

“Is that how you talk now? Is that what they teach you? Honestly Emily it’s beneath you. This whole charade. Why you won’t just see a psychiatrist is beyond me. A bunch of alcoholic wanna-be therapist wringing their hands and,” air quotes again” sharing”. It may as well be a cult.”

Honestly Michael, I can’t believe you. You are such an ass.

“But don’t you want to hear about what happened?”

No Michael. Really I don’t. I’m going out.

I got some bread and cheese at the Farmers’ market. And of course your wine. I’ll see you later.

“Don’t be mad.” He said kissing her goodbye.

She had no appointment. She just couldn’t stand to be with him for one more minute.