Jimmy

It had been a scorchingly humid week in D.C. and Booth was wishing the week would hurry along so he and Brennan could take a breather from their caseload and relax with their kids in the backyard pool. Feeling twitchy, he'd texted his wife he was heading to a GA meeting on his way home just for safety's sake.

He pulled into the spacious parking lot, locked his truck and headed toward the stately tree-shaded brick building. He walked into the vestibule of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, turned right, and headed down a creaky wooden stairway. A cacophony of voices drifted down the basement hallway as he passed three Sunday School classrooms and the choir's practice music room; walking toward a meeting room that stretched across the width of the building.

Gavin Henderson, his sponsor, was measuring ground Folgers into a well-used crowd-sized Poly-Perk coffee maker. The older man grinned at him and extended his hand.
"Hey, Booth, good to see you. How's the family? Is little Hank taking over the lawn-mowing for you yet?"

"Not quite, Gav," Booth chuckled, reaching for a Styrofoam cup as he shook Gavin's hand. "Looks like a pretty good crowd tonight, huh?"

"Yeah, especially for the middle of June. Lotta folks are out of town on vacation the next coupla months."

"Well, it doesn't matter how many people show up, Gavin. You always have some very helpful insights to share, and if it's only the two of us sometime, we'll get just as much benefit out of the meeting as a whole roomful of participants! Without your support, I wouldn't be where I am today; married to Bones, with two great kids and a meaningful career!"

"You've helped me too, Booth; I can't fall off the wagon myself when I'm watchin' out for you, Bud."

Gavin filled a styrofoam cup for himself, stepped to the wobbly podium and addressed the chattering group.

"Folks, if you'll grab a seat and listen up a minute, we'll get things started so we're not here all night. I know some of y'all got kiddos and homework and home stuff to get done before you can hit the hay."

He took off his ball cap, waited for the circle of listeners to rise to their feet, and intoned the first line of the group's well-known prayer, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,"

His attentive audience chimed in to finish the next two lines before taking their seats once again. Then Gavin looked around and smiled at a few people seated in the outer ring of chairs.

"Do we have any newcomers who'd like to introduce themselves?"

A tall man put his hands on his knees, leaned forward slightly and took a deep breath. Hesitating for just a moment, he stood up, cleared his throat, and plunged ahead before he lost his nerve.

"My name is Jimmy Flanagan. I'm a gambler but I'm trying to stop. I'm hoping these meetings can help me as much as my cousin Harold says they helped him in Scranton. He hasn't gambled in six months, which is sayin' something since he lost the rent money for three months straight before that."

Booth glanced sideways at the speaker, and stifled a double-take. His bookie's enforcer was addressing the group. Who'd have ever thought that Jimmy the Knife would show up at Gamblers' Anonymous? he thought to himself. But everybody's gotta start some place, and we've all been there, standing in his shoes, scared to death to open up. Gotta hand it to the guy….

And he turned his attention to the story unfolding as Jimmy continued to talk.

"I'm even worse than a gambler; I collect debts for my boss, who's a bookie in Anacostia. He doesn't gamble, but I do; have for years, and collecting money owed to him is how I've been tryin' to pay off my debt with him. Been tryin' to work up the nerve to quit my job with him, but I don't have any other prospects, and I've gotta pay my child support and eat, ya' know?"

Seemingly talked out, Jimmy fell silent and sat back down.

Gavin gave him an encouraging nod, and the group broke into applause.

"You've taken the first step, man; admitting you've got a problem, just like every other person in this room. If you're willing to work the steps of this program, you'll find plenty of understanding and empathy from this group. Not sympathy, mind you; but support and help whenever you need it to overcome the urges you feel."

"No matter what time it is, day or night. You can call one of us; a specific sponsor when you find someone you're comfortable with. There will always be someone to lend an ear when you need it, share a cup of coffee, sit with you awhile as you regain control."

"It ain't easy, but you can make it, if you try. All of us have slipped a time or two, or many times, but we just keep pluggin' and helping each other as best we can. We're proud to make your acquaintance, Jimmy. Welcome to our group."

"Anyone else like to speak? Unburden their heart? No need to be bashful or embarrassed; you're among friends here."

Another man and one woman spoke up after Jimmy. Gavin read a three-minute excerpt from the GA Group Handbook Guide Booklet, and then opened the floor for discussion. A few members offered ideas, related their experiences from the previous week, admitting some slip-ups as well as small victories.

Glancing at the wall clock, Gavin closed the meeting, reminding everyone to return next week. He mentioned the stack of papers on a small table near the door; a printed list of nearby meetings, one occurring each evening, open to anyone needing reinforcement or camaraderie.

The group rose to their feet and began folding and stacking the metal chairs they had occupied.

Booth waited until the people thinned out a bit, filling his coffee cup halfway as Gavin spoke privately with Jimmy Flanagan. Then he stepped toward the newcomer and introduced himself.

"I know who you are, Booth. You're part of the reason I'm here. Mickey told me eight months ago you'd sworn off gambling and he hasn't heard from you since. I figured if you could do it, I could at least try."

"That's the hardest part; admitting you've got a problem. Believe me! I sat in these meetings for four months, going through the motions, before I finally broke down and admitted to myself and this group that I hadn't really been trying. Not like I shoulda' been, to get my wife and child back. Once I did, I've been a lot more successful than trying to fool myself and everyone else."

Well, I gotta say, Booth, you're a lucky man. That's one strong woman you're married to! I hope my Astrid will stick with me a little longer while I work through my pride, get myself clean again," Jimmy declared.

You're not kidding, Flanagan. Bones, my wife, she's amazing; one of a kind. I don't deserve her, but I strive to, every single day. I can't afford to lose her or my kids ever again. Gavin saved me, and he can save you. Or whoever you're comfortable talkin' to. Work the system, step by step, man. It works. It has saved me. But the struggle's never over. I have to stay vigilant every single day. I'm livin' proof it works, if you put in the effort. See you next week."

"Thanks, Booth, I will. Glad I happened to pick the meeting you were at tonight. Hearing your story gives me hope this'll work."

The pair shook hands, walked upstairs, and headed to their cars. As Booth climbed into his SUV, he muttered to himself, "Wait'll I get home! Bones is never gonna believe this!"