EPISODE 7: ROBERT'S COFFEE MUG
302 Words
Wednesday, 6:00 AM.
Grace Church Kitchen, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Ana was brewing coffee. Terrible coffee.
A mug hit the counter. Hard.
Robert.
38. Head deacon. Hardware store hoodie. No wedding ring.
He didn’t look at her. Just stared at the sink.
"Morning,"
Ana said.
Robert nodded.
"Morning."
Ana poured two cups. Black. Set one in front of him.
The kitchen was quiet.
"I called my wife last night,"
Robert said. Voice flat.
"Told her I’m coming to the group tonight. To the board meeting."
Ana waited.
"She said ‘Robert, I’m done,’"
he continued.
"She said 10 years of this. Few days sober. Then relapse. Few days sober. Then relapse. She can’t watch it anymore."
He picked up the mug. His hand didn’t shake.
"So we’re separated,"
he said.
"She has our son. Court is in 3 weeks. For custody."
Ana sat across from him. No Bible. No fix. Just present.
"I don’t blame her,"
Robert said.
"I’d be tired too. I’d be done too."
He took a sip.
"She thinks this group will make me drink again. That being around pain makes me want the bottle."
Ana shook her head.
"Or maybe this is what keeps you from it."
Robert looked at her.
"That’s what I told her. I said ‘I need to be around people who know how to stay. Even on day 3. Even on day 4.’"
He set the mug down. Chipped on one side.
"I’m 4 days sober today,"
he said quietly.
"Longest I’ve made it in months."
Ana nodded.
"Then we’ll make it to day 5. Together."
Robert stood up.
"7 PM,"
he said.
"I’ll be there. Not as head deacon. Just as Robert. Day 4."
He left his mug on the counter.
Outside, Cedar Falls was waking up.
Inside, one more person chose: Stay.
- Writer
