Becky dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. Four years after Mark's passing, she still struggled with the loss. It was too painful to think of moving on. She decided to attend group therapy. Becky finished showering and splattered a little makeup on her face.
When Becky walked into the waiting room, only one person was there. She sat down across from him and tried to keep to herself.
"Seems a bit weird being here." He said.
"Yeah, I feel a bit weird too."
He looked up and noticed her flawless smile. "So….you don't come here often?"
Becky laughed. "First time."
"Yeah, me too. I'm Ryan."
"I'm Becky."
"So what part of you is broken?" Ryan asked. "My heart is broken. My wife died."
"Really? Mine too." Becky replied, "I mean not my wife, my husband." She chuckled.
"Good." Ryan laughed, "You don't play for the opposite team. I was worried when you implied that your wife died."
"I don't play for the opposite team." Becky laughed.
"My wife died in childbirth." Ryan admitted.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." Becky replied.
"Thanks. What about you?"
"My husband overdosed." Becky sighed. "I never even knew he was using."
"Wow. I'm really sorry."
"Thanks. So your wife died in childbirth...does that mean you're a single daddy?"
"Yeah, it's not an ideal situation, but we're making it work. My daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me."
"How old is she?"
"She's three." Ryan replied.
"Aw! Three is a fun age. They're so cute, and full of energy and life."
"She's definitely full of energy." Ryan laughed.
"Typical three year old!"
"How long ago did your husband pass?"
"Four years ago." Becky replied. "I've just never been the same. I thought I'd give this a try."
"Do you have kids?"
"No." Becky sighed. "Never had kids."
"You seem a bit disappointed by that."
"Mark and I tried for awhile...over a year. I never got pregnant. Now I'm thirty five. I feel like it's too late now to try to start a family, and I haven't met anyone since Mark died."
"It's never too late to try to start a family. Even if you can't….there's always adoption."
"Why did I just tell you my life story?" Becky questioned.
"I don't know your life story." Ryan laughed. "All you've told me is that you're a woman with hopes and dreams, like all of us have. And you're a little bit broken, but this is group therapy, we're ALL a little bit broken here."
Once the session started, the pair sat on opposite sides of the room. Becky didn't even notice him staring at her every time she talked, and a few times when she wasn't talking.
Becky got her stuff together after the session and started to leave.
"So Becky.." Ryan called out. "You gonna be here next week?"
Becky nodded, "As long as my heart hurts, I'll be here."
"I'll be here too."
Becky smiled and continued to her car. She decided to take a drive. She found herself parked outside of her parents house. Becky walked inside and found her sister, seated at the kitchen table.
"Hey Darlene." Becky said, sitting down. "Haven't seen you in awhile."
"I'm still on the planet." Darlene said, sarcastically. "I guess I've sort of missed you."
"Aww! Come here!" Becky said, forcing her into a hug.
"Yeah okay, that's enough. A little too much hugging."
"There's never too much hugging! I just got done with group therapy, they taught us that it's okay to hug and express feelings."
"Yikes. I would not like group therapy." Darlene teased. "So besides the weird express your feelings crap, how was your group therapy session?"
"It was good, I feel like I got a little something out of it."
"What's his name?" Darlene chuckled.
"It's not about a guy."
"Yeah, right. And I own stock in computers. Come on. I know you, Becky. We shared a room together. It's written all over your face."
"That bad, huh?"
"I didn't think you'd be interested in meeting anyone."
"I'm really not." Becky replied. "I mean, I kinda liked him….but we both have issues. We're in group therapy! And he has a kid."
"He has a kid?"
"His wife died in childbirth."
"Wow." Darlene replied. "How sad. How old is the kid?"
"Three."
"Aw! You can be an instant mommy, Becky. Go for it!"
"I don't even know if he's single. I'm sure it wouldn't work out even if I were interested. We both have too much emotional baggage from our losses."
"Or…..maybe it would work out." Darlene suggested.