What's Your Poison?

The Sit-Down

"Aliza, is it?" Reverend Hennessy asked as he led me into his study.

"It's Alicia, Reverend."

"Same thing." He smiled and winked at me.

I rolled my eyes and sat down in one of the vinyl chairs he had in his study. He went and sat on the edge of the desk, his face about two feet from my face. I raised my eyebrows as he got comfortable.

"So, Ms. Haltyr-"

"Alicia's fine."

"..."

"..."

There was an uncomfortable silence before he finally cleared his throat and continued. "Of course," he said. "As I was saying-"

"Reverend Hennessy, I'm gonna let you finish," I interrupted, "but is this going to take long? I have somewhere to be."

How does it feel to be interrupted Reverend?

He sighed and put his head in his hands. "Alicia, I'm just going to tell you; that display that you did today was unnecessary and not needed. You singlehandedly insulted everyone in that meeting. Jeff looked like he was about to burst in tears."

I rolled my eyes again. Like I care about what Jeff thinks of me. I picked up the reverend's nameplate off his desk and began to study it.

Reverend Cairo E. Hennessy.

It has a nice ring to it, I'll give him that.

All of a sudden, the nameplate was snatched out of my hand. I looked up to see a red-faced Reverend Cairo.

"Did you hear a single word I said?" He asked angrily.

"No, I zoned out after you mentioned Crybaby Jeff."

"Ms. Haltyr-"

"Alicia."

He ignored me and went on. "I know this is your first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, so I'm going to let it go. But you have to be considerate of others. These people in this program have gone through so much. I'm not saying give them pity, but treat them with respect." He covered his espresso-colored hand over my caramel one. "Tell you what. To help, you can come into my office for 30 minutes every Thursday to talk. We'll call it a, um, "talk our feelings out" session."

I rolled my eyes. Who does he think he's fooling? "So it's therapy?"

He smiled and shook his head. "I didn't say that. I said a "talk our feelings out" session."

I narrowed my eyes at him. He really takes me for a fool. "Okay," I said slowly.

His smile grew bigger and he clasped his hands together. "Excellent," he said, "I look forward to it. Shall we say 6:00?"

"I can't," I said, "Wheel of Fortune on at 6:30, and I have to relax at least for forty minutes before it comes on."

His smile faltered a little. "Well what time would be good for you?"

I gave him a sweet smile. "How about 6:30?"

His smile was immediately replaced by a look of confusion. "Doesn't Wheel of Fortune come on at that time?"

"I don't watch Wheel of Fortune; that show is for old folks."

"..."

"..."

"So 6:30 is fine with you?"

I gave him another smile. "How about 5:38 military time?"

"5:38 military time? But wouldn't that be..." He checked the clock app on his phone to see. "Be serious, Ms. Haltyr."

I laughed. "Reverend Hennessy, you have to admit that it was funny. I mean, I could come in at 17:38, but I don't think Fetty Wap would approve."

He let out a small chuckle before he stopped himself. "But really. What time is better for you?"

"6:30's fine, reverend."

He gave me a skeptical look. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Nothing to do on Thursday nights at 6:30?"

"No sir."

"No Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, our anything else of that nature?"

I shook my head.

He looked at me and gave a small smile. "Okay, Thursday nights at 6:30."

I gave him a thumbs up.

He extended his right hand to shake. I looked at it for a second before I finally grasped it.

My, his hands was strong.

And there was no ring!

Wait, I told myself, wedding rings go on the left hand.

I looked over to his left side. "Um, Reverend Hennessy, what's that on your left hand?"

He extended his hand and looked at it. "I don't see anything," he said after a few minutes.

He didn't have anything on his finger. Wow. I thought somebody would have become Mrs. Hennessy at first sight of him.

"Oh. Must've been my eyes playing tricks on me. I'm sorry."

He smiled for what seemed like the 300th time this evening. "Well I guess this little sit-down is over. Remember what I said, Ms. Haltyr."

I nodded and stood up to leave. As soon as I set my hand on the doorknob, I heard "One more thing, Alicia."

I turned around and leaned against the door as I smirked. "Didn't think you remembered my name."

"Never forgot it."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay."

"Please take these sessions seriously. Remember we are trying to help you."

I turned around and opened the door. "I will."

"You have a good night and a safe trip home."

"You too." With that, I exited his study.

I exited the church and got into my black Altima. As I turned it on I thought to myself, What if this program really could save me this time?

But I waved that thought away.

Because nothing can reverse the effects of poison.

********

Sorry if it's bad, but read and vote anyway please.

Peace