"Jennifer, please go with me. It's bad enough I have to go, don't make me go alone".
"Why do you have to go?"
"Because. When Josh filed for divorce, we agreed to mediate and do a "save the marriage" agreement where we actively try for 6 months. The judge agreed. Relationship counseling didn't work for us, and in order to satisfy the judge's agreement, I have to attend either personal counseling or a support group at least once a week for the next 12 weeks".
"So, why not personal counseling?"
"I would rather have my head packed in ice".
"Shannon, that's insane. Come on."
"Please, Jennifer? Look, you just moved here from New York to work at the Chronicle. You haven't been in L. A. that long, it's not like you are going to know anyone besides me there. And who knows, you might like it".
"A singles support group? Please."
"You might meet someone".
"I don't want to meet someone. I'm happy with my life the way it is".
"Jennifer, what can you possibly be happy about? If you aren't home, you are at the office. And if you aren't at the office, you are at home".
"I happen to enjoy my work, Shannon. Is that a crime?"
"No, but how well does your typewriter keep you warm at night?"
"What happens or doesn't happen in my bed is none of your business."
"I'm not suggesting anything. All I'm saying is that you can put up this façade and make everything think that everything is ok. But, at some point, you are going to realize that you are lonely. And when you get to the end of your life, do you want to be alone or do you want someone with you?"
"Ok, fine I'll go".
"Yay, I knew it would work".
"I'm only going to put an end to this insane conversation".
"I'll take whatever I can get. I'll pick you up at 7, dress casual. You're the best".
"You owe me, Shannon. I'm not kidding. I'm not just a reporter anymore, I'm your editor now. You better believe you are catching every rotten story that comes along!"
"Whatever you say, boss".
Shannon headed back to her desk and Jennifer put her head in her hands.
"What have I gotten myself into?!"
***Grant's Tavern***
Two men are playing pool and having a beer.
"So how you been Valentine? Haven't seen you in forever".
"Good, good. How about you?"
"I'm fine. You know me, Buffalo Bill always bounces back on his feet".
"Sorry to hear about you and Marilyn splitting up. That's got to be tough".
"Ah, you win some you lose some. We had some good times but we weren't ever really right for each other. Listen, I was thinking of going somewhere tonight. I heard that you can meet a gorgeous woman at this great little dive bar out on Route 3. Want to come?"
"No thanks, I'm out of the bar scene. Been there done that".
He took his shot and sank several balls all at once.
"Look Valentine, I know I don't have very much room to talk. I mean, I've struck out in the love department too. But it's been 4 years since Pam died. You weren't at fault then, and you aren't at fault at now and in 10 years from now, it still won't be your fault what happened. The other driver was at fault, bottom line. You got to give yourself permission to move on, buddy."
"I promised Pam in the hospital there would never be another. If I move on, I'm breaking my promise to her and that's not fair".
"Do you honestly think she's up in heaven keeping score? She would want you to be happy. And what you are doing now ain't working for you."
"So what am I supposed to do, just throw myself at any available woman that walks by?"
"No. But maybe don't swat at all of the ones who throw themselves at you".
"Bill, I know you mean well, and I appreciate it. But it's complicated, and unless you've been there, you just don't get it".
"I know. But what I do get, is that you are miserable, man. I hate to see you like this".
Bill sank his last ball in the corner pocket.
"8 ball, side pocket".
He missed.
"You know, I'm happy with my life. In the 4 years since Pam died, I haven't just maintained Hart Industries' footprint in the business world, I've expanded it tenfold. I am very proud of my company and I am very happy with what has become of my efforts. I don't need anything else in life right now".
"Ok, I have just one last question for you. Who are you going to leave it to at the end of your life? No wife, no kids, no biological relatives. Who gets it?"
Valentine stepped up, and sank the 8 ball in the corner pocket, and won the game.
"I appreciate your concern Bill, but I'm fine. I'm healing in my own way, in my own time, and I'm not on anyone's time table. Now, thanks for the game, and the beer, but I'm going to head home".
"Jonathan, seriously, I'm just looking out for you".
"I know. I appreciate it. But really, I'm fine".
They shook hands.
"Great to see you, Bill. I'll talk to you soon".
He grabbed his jacket and headed out to the car.
As he drove home along the coastal highway, he thought about what his good friend had said.
He saw a sign up ahead and paid more attention to it than normal.
He thought about it the rest of the way home, and then tried to put it out of his mind.
He changed clothes and ate some dinner and was still thinking about it, so he decided to give it a chance.
He pulled up right on time, a few minutes before it was supposed to start.
The room was set up with several chairs in a circle. Behind that was another circle, and behind that was a third circle.
He walked in and took a nametag.
"Hi. Have you been here before?"
"No, I haven't".
"Ok, so newcomers are given a couple meetings to feel comfortable. Don't feel like you have to share tonight. At the end of every meeting, there's a homework assignment. Newcomers are exempt".
"Thank you".
He found a seat, kind of out of the way, where he wasn't very noticeable.
Before it started, he pulled out his wallet and opened it to her picture. He stared at it, talking to her inside his head the whole time.
'Please don't be upset with me over this. I still love you and I always will, I'm just trying to find myself again'.
While he was staring at the picture in his wallet, a gorgeous brunette and her beautiful redhead friend walked in. They grabbed name tags and then selected a seat, closest to the door in case they decided to get up and leave.
"Welcome to Singles who Mingle. I'm Toya, I'll facilitate the meeting tonight."
Jennifer rolled her eyes at the name.
They spent the next two hours listening to people talk about how happy they are that they are single, and how it's working better for them than being in a relationship. Shannon was mad because they were bolstering Jennifer's point and not her own.
After the meeting was over, everyone stood up and put their chairs away.
Some people poured some coffee and mingled while others just left.
Jonathan had stacked several of the chairs and was walking out when he saw her.
For a moment, his heart stopped and he couldn't move. And then…she was gone. She had left the room before he got a chance to say anything to her.
He looked for her in the parking lot, but she was gone.
He headed home, wondering if he should go back.
***Jennifer***
Jennifer and Shannon pulled up to Jennifer's house.
"Thanks for going with me."
"You're welcome. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be".
"Does that mean I'm off the hook?"
"Don't push it".
"See you at work tomorrow".
"Thanks for the ride, see you tomorrow".
She walked inside the house and locked the door behind her.
As she got ready for bed, she couldn't stop thinking about the meeting and how she felt like she wanted to go again.
***Two days later***
Jonathan left work after his last meeting and drove out to the place he went to every Thursday.
He stopped and made his usual purchase and then continued on his way.
He arrived at his destination, and parked as close as possible.
He made his way to the usual spot and spent a few minutes cleaning and doing some caretaking.
Finally, he placed his purchase where it was supposed to go and sat down.
"Hi. I miss you. You were the only good thing in my life and I still can't believe you were taken from me. I suppose you were watching me play pool with Bill the other day. He always loved you. Guess you heard our conversation too, huh? Well, good. I meant every word angel. I miss you more than words can ever express. You were the first person I ever loved, and still, even though it's been 4 years, I still don't think I'll ever love anyone again. I know for a fact that I couldn't go through losing someone again, the way I lost you. To tell you the truth, I have no idea how I got through it last time. A lot has happened since you were taken from me. Can you believe USC finally won a football game this season? And the neighborhood near your house got a big upgrade. New sidewalks, a new bank. Sat in your car the other day. It's still the same, I haven't done anything to it. I guess everything is changing except me. I tried going to church, but I felt like everyone who saw us together there before, was just staring at me and judging me. Sometimes I watch the services on tv, sometimes I don't. I went to a singles support group last night. Didn't have the courage to say anything. I highly doubt anyone wants to hear me talk anyways. I did see a lady when I was leaving. She was attractive, redheaded, built kind of like you. Seeing her made me feel like I felt the first time I saw you. I was so caught off guard, I think I stared at her like a complete and total moron till I could breathe again, and when I could, she was gone. Guess I'm not able to move on from you at all. 4 years of nothing proves that. I thought I was ready, but I just can't. I love you Pam, I miss you bigger than the sky and I love you 10 times more. I replay that day in my head all the time. If I could go back in time, I would have turned 2 streets earlier and you would still be here with me. I guess if I can't move forward, then I'll have to find a way to be grateful for the time I had with you. I love you, I'll be back soon".
He kissed his fingers and then touched them on the tombstone in front of him.
'Pamela Grace Chandler'
As he stood up, the tears he tried so hard to control broke free, and one landed on her tombstone.
He walked to the car, and took a minute to compose himself before driving. Ever since that day, he was meticulous about how he drove. Seatbelt. Radio off. Blinders down. No distractions.
As he headed towards home, he saw a billboard.
"That's strange, it's just a saying. It's not advertising a company or anything".
It said "YES YOU CAN".
He kept driving toward home, and took a right at the light that took him to his neighborhood.
After he turned, up ahead, was another billboard.
The message was once again YES YOU CAN.
He pulled into his neighborhood, found his street and pulled up in front of his mailbox. He grabbed the mail and pulled up into the garage.
He sat in the car for a minute and flipped through the mail.
There was an ad for a realtor named Pamela. Right behind it, a postcard, unsigned. The message was "You Can Do It". He flipped it over and looked at the picture. It was a galactic theme and it said "Heaven awaits" across the bottom.
He grabbed a beer and went and sat outside on the back deck, thinking.
***A week later***
Jennifer walked into Singles who Mingle and made a name tag. She went and got a cup of coffee and then took a seat.
A few minutes later, Jonathan came in and took a name tag, and then took a seat.
He was looking all around for his mystery woman, but didn't see her. They sat through everyone else sharing their stories about being single and then the meeting ended.
"Ok everyone, this week's homework is to introduce yourself to someone new and ask them out for coffee. Have a great week".
Jonathan volunteered to put the chairs up again, so he stood up and started collecting them.
He turned around and found him staring into the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. They were the color of honey, when mixed with whiskey.
He was overjoyed to see that they belonged to the mystery redhead from last week.
"Hi, I'm Jonathan".
"Hi. I'm Jennifer. It's nice to meet you".
"It's lovely to meet you as well. Here, let me help you with that".
She helped him put the chairs away.
"Well, it was nice to meet you. See you next week".
She grabbed her purse and was making her way to the door.
He caught up to her outside.
"Can I walk you to your car? I would hate for a beautiful lady like yourself to be in harm's way".
"Oh that's ok. I'm just right there".
"Great, then it's a short walk".
They walked the 15 steps to her car, and as she opened the door, he held it open for her.
"Thank you. It was so nice to have met you".
"You're welcome, likewise, and would you like to meet me for coffee tomorrow night?"
Jennifer was shocked.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I'm a little rusty. Would you like to meet me for coffee, tomorrow night?"
"Well, I work longer hours than most people. So, it would have to be a late date, oh, I don't mean a date-date. I mean, I'm not like most people. I work till about 6 or 7 every night, if not later. So it would have to be after that. Yes, that's what I'm saying".
He reached forward and took her hand in his.
"I am the same way. How about 7:30? There's this little coffee shop that's hardly ever crowded named Cappuccino. It's on the corner of 5th and Broom. Meet you there?"
She smiled at him.
"Alright. Meet you there".
"Great." He pulled out his wallet and gave her a business card.
He quickly wrote his private office number on the back.
"If anything comes up, call me at this number".
"I will".
"Goodnight, Jennifer".
"Goodnight John".
"Jonathan".
"Oh, I'm sorry, Jonathan".
After she was safely in her car, he walked to his own.
He tried to assess how he was feeling as he drove home. The last time he remembered feeling this way was when he asked a girl to the prom in High School.
He was all topsy-turvy on the inside.
He remembered feeling that way with Pam, and hoped that it would go away in time.
***Jennifer***
Jennifer drove home to her apartment, thinking about Jonathan the whole time.
She had no clue what made him choose her for their homework assignment, other than availability and close proximity.
'It's just coffee, nothing more'.
She repeated that to herself as she took a bubble bath and as she went to bed.