Problems Anonymous(complete)

Problems Anonymous

There was one 3 blocks from my apartment, down on Mission Street. I liked to go even though I wasn't an Alcoholic myself.Or, at least not yet I wasn't.

I suffered from high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. In other words, diabetes. My inheritance consisted of a screwed up pancreas, a shot or two a day, and some pills if I didn't feel good. The problem was, I wasn't dying. Far from it. The 60s had brought lots of new advancements to my disease, especially in the San Francisco area, and almost 30 years later, my chance of slipping was slim. But I didn't feel that way. Ya I knew it's almost impossible to die if I take care of myself, but subtract illness and life is still short.The world is filled with problems.

That's why I like to go to AA. My problems alone seem overwhelming, but when I go and listen to what 60 others have to deal with day to day, it makes man as a whole, not just me, seem infinitesimal. And if I'm so small, so unimportant, why waste my time stressing solely on my problems? That's why I go out, and I try to help people the best way I can. Put their problems first, and maybe I can see how little mine are. Give my life meaning.

I gave myself 15 units of Lantus, nodding my head and chuckling when I took the needle out. Some people inject meth into their systems to destroy their veins.Me? I just wanted to prevent my veins from becoming pixie sticks.

I grabbed my coat, because even in late June, the middle of freaking summer, San Francisco was no joke about the cold. Sometimes the weather made absolutely no sense.

I passed a homeless guy on the way, and gave him some change, again, not to help him, but to help me feel better.

I rounded the corner into the AA meeting, which had already started. It was hard to tell who was usual, or who was new.There were so many of us, and San Francisco was filled with alcoholics.For all I knew, they could of all been different every time.Maybe I was the only one with commitment.

"Ya, it's 1989, and I know it's not New Years yet, but I want to stop drinking next year.For my family.They-we deserve to start the decade right."

"Thank you Charley", the leader, Eddie, nodded as I took a seat near the back.

A phone started ringing to Madonna's Material Girl.The woman scrambled to answer it, laughing as she slipped outside to take the call.I rolled my eyes and stood up.

"Hi, I just wanted to say I'm not in to materialism.Yknow, in this world, there's so much more to worry about.", I stated matter-of-factly.

"Thank you for, uh that.", Eddie acknowledged. He already knew I wasn't an alcoholic. I never commented anything about drinking.I had brought up diabetes etc a few times before though.

More people shared.

"Ok, before we wrap up this meeting, I decided to take into consideration what our sponsor, St.Luke's Hospital, had to say about our meetings. They had this great idea to put us on a buddy system.That way, if we ever need help, or need someone to aid us against the temptation to drink, we can call our buddy to come remind us why we are here.", he giddily smiled at this suggestion.

"We're all sitting in rows.So I want everyone to turn around and shake hands with your new partner.Just exchange numbers, and we can finish this up."

I turned around. He was looking down, and ran his hair through his chocolate brown hair. His emerald green eyes slowly made their way up to meet mine.He smirked.

"I'm Austin."