Just one of the voices in my head...

I wanted to start sharing some of my stories with everyone. I've been trying to convert them into a pdf file so you can read them more easily but for the life of me I can not figure it out. So until then, you'll just have to read them right here on me blog. Without further ado...I give you a sample of Pieces. Enjoy! She stood in the corner of the room, bouncing in place as if she was ready to defend herself should she need to. Her back secure, she could see where everyone was; be ready should anyone approach her. But everyone here knew not to bother. The only person who even tried to go near her was Jack. Every night was the same. He stood at the opposite end of the six foot long table. He would pour two cups of coffee - always decaf - and prepare both slowly; with care. He would take a sip of his and then slowly slide the other cup to the middle of the table. She waited for him to sit before reaching for the cup; retreat back to her corner where she would stare at the back of his head until group commenced. She never joined the group until they were all seated, and she was always the first to leave. She shared during group, talking about her tragedies and bumps in the road to her recovery. While she poured her heart out to the floor, he became antsy; uncomfortable. As if hearing her stories were too much for his heart to bear. When she was done, the group leader would thank her for sharing and move on to the next person. She listened but offered no advice; she asked no questions. It was the same in reverse and everyone saw it. They often spoke of it outside of group as if it were a legitimate phenomenon. “Did you see it?” “Yeah. It’s freaky all right.” “I told ya.” “Yeah well, it gives me something to think about other than my own shit.” Valerie had been coming to group for almost two months, long enough for people to know her story. Long enough for people to understand why she was the way she was. And even though the connection between her and Jack was strange, everyone accepted it. In fact most of them were jealous of it. Any one of those people would die to feel what little Jack and her so openly, yet quietly felt for each other. It might not have been love in the normal sense of the word, but it was the best either one of them was ever going to feel any time soon. It didn’t happen overnight but eventually Jack worked up the courage to say hi to her. It took her a few weeks to say hi back, but ultimately she did. Someone even thought they heard him ask her how her day was once. But nobody in this group was brave enough to get within hearing distance. It continued on like that for another two months. Long enough for her belly to swell even more, and long enough for everyone to notice the subtle changes in her. The quick movements she made with her body and her eyes were somehow more calm. Until the day Jack didn’t show up. Valerie grew more nervous as the hour progressed. Her eyes darted between the floor, the clock and the seat in which he usually occupied. And as soon as group ended, she did something that made all the jaws in the room fall to the ground. She walked up the group counselor and spoke. “Do you know where Jack is?” Her voice was like nothing anyone expected. She was worried, yes, but her voice was strong and determined. Sherry’s eyes were filled with sympathy, “No, sweetie. I don’t.” “Give me his address, please.” She tried to straighten and square her shoulders but everyone saw the strength give way to desperation as Sherry answered. “You know I can’t give you that Val.” She reached out to gently place her hand on Valerie’s shoulder; a display of comfort. But before contact could be made, Valerie jerked back and almost crouched. She stared at the floor but somehow her body was more hard; like a fighter bracing himself for the final blow. “He wouldn’t just not come. Something is wrong.” She whispered through clenched teeth. “Val, it’s confidential. You know that.” “Do. Not. Call. Me. Val.” She continued staring at the floor but the tear drops falling from her cheeks were visible to everyone. Sherry tried again, with an even softer approach. “Valerie.” “Just give me his fucking address!” Valerie screamed to no one in particular. She began sobbing uncontrollably and blabbering, making no sense at all anymore. Finally a young girl stepped forward, and sheepishly spoke. “I think I know where he lives. I can give you a ride.” Valerie’s eyes met hers and she nodded, grabbed her tiny jean jacket and walked toward the door. It was the first time she had ever turned her back on anyone in the group. © 2011 Jennifer Plonk