asked, teasing, but he also wouldn’t mind seeing his mom get back out there. She didn’t need to be alone forever.
“Yes, in fact. I’m leaving in ten minutes. There’s an AA group tonight.”
Jack ran a hand through his hair. It’d been years since the divorce. He’d understood why she attended those meetings when she was still married to his father, but his mom had never stopped attending. She was as loyal to attending the AA meetings as she was her weekly Bible study. “I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do,” she said, standing and walking to the cabinet. She pulled out a glass and carried it to the counter. “Sweet tea?” she asked.
“You know me. Can’t turn down liquid sugar.”
This made her laugh. “Sometimes I can help someone at the group with my story. Sometimes the group still helps me.” She poured Jack a glass of tea and handed it over. “I spoke to Amanda today, by the way.”
“So did I.” He took a sip of his tea.
“She sounds good. I’m glad.”
“Me too,” Jack said.
“And you look good,” his mother said.
“I feel as good as I look.” He winked at his mom, making her laugh again. After all she’d been through in life, she still loved and laughed easily.
“Come with me to the meeting tonight,” she said, her expression turning serious.
Jack started backing up. If he’d known it was her AA meeting night, he wouldn’t have stopped by. This wasn’t the first time she’d asked him to go. He’d gone with her before. When he’d first stopped drinking, he’d also attended a group outside of town. “I don’t think so, Mom. I’m tired and sweaty,” he said.
“It’s only an hour. And it’ll be good right now. Amanda is seeking treatment, and whether you realize it or not, that could bring up issues for you. Or memories of your dad. I know it does for me.” His mom’s gaze dropped, her happy demeanor turning crestfallen for a moment.
Ah, geez. He couldn’t say no now. “Okay, Mom. I’ll go with you.”
She looked up and smiled. “Oh, I’m so happy.” Then she patted his chest. “You are a good son. But you really are sweaty. You have spare clothes in the guest room. Go change into those,” she said, making Jack laugh.
He took another sip of his tea and then set his glass down. “Fine. I’ll be right back,” he told her, heading toward the back bedroom. He changed, splashed some cold water on his face, and then headed back into the kitchen. “I’ll drive.”
* * *
For the next hour and a half, Jack listened to people of various backgrounds share their stories, some of which sounded similar to his own. He could relate to everyone in the room. He’d been the son, the brother, and the alcoholic himself. He didn’t say a word as he sat with his mom. He just listened. When it was over, he stood and walked out to the parking lot.
“Sometimes it’s good to know that you’re not alone,” his mother said on the ride back.
Jack glanced over. “You have me, Mom. You’re not alone.”
She patted his shoulder. “I know that. But I was talking about you not being alone,” she said. “You were always that kid who took care of himself. And who took care of everyone around him. It’s good for you to know that you’re not alone.”
Jack stared at the road ahead. Her words sucker punched him in the gut. She was right. He was the guy who carried his own burdens. Why shouldn’t he? “Okay,” he finally said.
“I’ll cook dinner before we go next time. Would that be nice?” his mom asked.
Jack shook his head. “Is that your not-so-subtle way of asking me to attend another AA meeting with you?”
She laughed easily. “I guess it is.”
Jack pulled up to a stop sign and turned onto her road. “Have you ever known me to turn down one of your home-cooked meals?”
“No, I haven’t,” she said.
He nodded. “I’m not going to start now. I’ll be there.”
* * *
Early the next week, Emma scrolled over the website she’d designed for the first annual event. One hundred fourteen people had already signed up for Jenny’s Wellness Walk for Women. Given that the website had just gone up and was already doing this well, she was thrilled. That meant she’d already raised over a thousand dollars for the WWC minus costs.
She admired the site a little more. It was simple with a mission statement on the home page, a