Usagi took a deep breath to calm her nerves as she stood outside the community center. She'd been directed to come to the weekly support group for those who had lost loved ones to help her cope with losing Mamoru. Tonight would be her first one. She straightened her clothes and headed on inside and to the room for the support group.
A man with wildly spiked black hair sat in one of the chairs in the circle. He looked about as confused as she felt.
She looked around at the rest of the people and noticed an empty chair next to the spiky-haired man. She then went over and sat next to him, taking care to make sure her long hair didn't get caught under her.
He looked at her and nodded politely in greeting.
She nodded politely back and sat waiting for the meeting to start and hoping the group leader didn't focus too much on her being new.
The man started to look around for the leader. He seemed to be in a hurry to get it started. Probably so they could get through the meeting.
As if the man had wished the leader up, the leader, a tall blond haired man, walked into the room and called the meeting to order.
"Evening everyone. Good to see your faces here. We have a new person joining us this evening." The leader gestured to Usagi. "Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us what brought you here. You don't need to go into too many details yet if you don't feel comfortable doing so."
Usagi bit her lip nervously before clearing her throat. "Umm, Hi. I'm Usagi and I was encouraged to come to get support over my late husband's death."
"Welcome." The others, including the man said to Usagi sincerely.
Usagi let out a sigh in relief as she sat back against her chair. The leader then looked around at the rest of the group.
"How are the rest of you feeling? Is there anyone who wants to talk about their latest emotions and experiences since last week's meeting?" The leader asked.
Everyone looked around and the man sitting close to her looked ready to sink into his chair.
The leader looked around before finally settling on the man next to Usagi. "What about you?"
"Me? No….not really. Everything's about the same." The man said rubbing the back of his head.
"As long as it is not growing worse." The leader spoke before then going through a couple of the others and having them speak. Eventually, the leader looked at the time. "Alright everyone, good work tonight. Remember to continue writing in your journals and making use of your sponsor partners. Light refreshments are on the tables. Take some if you like before you head to your homes." He gestured to the long tables against the wall." He looked at Usagi and the man. "Would you two come see me for a quick moment before leaving?"
Usagi looked around as the others in the group either headed to the refreshment tables or out the door before looking back to the leader and nodding. "Sure." She stood up and walked over.
The man nodded and stood to follow after the group leader.
The leader looked at Usagi first after grabbing something from a box. "First of all, here's your journal Usagi. Second, this is Goku. Since you're joining us, you've evened up the numbers so I'm assigning the two of you to be sponsor partners.
"Oh. Cool a partner. What exactly….are we supposed to do?" He asked sheepishly.
The leader chuckled. "Basically, you'll check in with each other throughout the week between meetings. It also means you have someone to just talk to during your lowest moments of grief. I would suggest maybe exchanging numbers and setting time aside for the two of you to meet up or talk on the phone."
Usagi took the journal and dropped it in her purse. "Thank you. We'll definitely see about doing so when we can." She looked at Goku. "Right?"
"Oh….Right." Goku said with a nod. He then looked at Usagi. "Right."
"Great." The leader smiled. "See you both next week then." He then walked off.
Usagi sighed. "He really could've done that before the meeting. I'm starving." She muttered as she headed for the refreshments.
"Yeah. Me too." Goku said following her.
She fixed herself up a plate of food and looked around. "Well, seeing as everyone else has left, you're welcome to join me in my car to eat before you go."
"Oh….ok." He said nodding. He fixed his own plate and when she was ready, followed her out.
She led him to her car, unlocking it by the key on the way. She opened the driver door and got in. "Passenger side should be unlocked."
"Ok." He said, opening the passenger door and getting in with her.
She started eating. "So, how long have you been coming to these meetings?" She asked between bites
"For about a month now." He responded after swallowing half his food in one go.
Her eyes widened at the sight of him swallowing half his food in one go. "Does it seem like it's helping you?" She shoveled more food in her mouth at a faster pace more like her usual eating habits.
"Oh….sorry, that wasn't polite." He said rubbing the back of his head once more. "I mean…..I guess it helps. Not going to lie. Sometimes it feels like it is and other times, not so much."
She shook her head. "Oh no. Don't change how you eat on my account. I've just never seen someone else who can pack food away so quickly and easily." She blushed in embarrassment. "If you don't mind me asking, who did you lose?"
"Ok." He said with a nod. Hearing her question, he looked down. "My wife, Chi Chi.
"I'm sorry." She looked at him in empathy. "How long were you married before you lost her?"
"Hm. A long time. Almost 13 years. He said with a nod. What about you? Who did you lose?" He asked, looking at her.
She swallowed the bite she'd been chewing on. "My husband, Mamoru."
"I'm sorry." He said sincerely.
"We'd only been married three years, but had been together since I was 14." She half-chuckled. "Time can fly faster than you would think."
"Tell me about it." He said with a sigh.
She finished her food and smiled. "Well, considering we both apparently like to eat, how about at least one of our weekly check-ins with each other, we meet up at a restaurant for like breakfast or lunch?"
"Sounds great!" He said happily.
Usagi grinned. "Great. Oh! Did you want a ride home?"
"Nah. It's pretty far out. Thanks though." He said sincerely.
"No problem at all." She nodded. "Oh, we should probably exchange phone numbers so we can keep in touch."
"Oh….Uuuh…..heh….I don't have one."
"Really?" She looked at him in confusion. "Well then how do you keep in touch with family or friends?"
"I just….go where they are." He said, looking a little sheepish.
"And how do you know where they are? Surely they're not always at home?" She sighed. "It's not like it's possible to telepathically talk to people."
"Nah. I can sense their energy though and go to exactly where they are." Goku explained.
"That sounds like an incredible ability." She smiled. "You must be pretty strong to do something like that across large distances."
"Well, I still have a lot of training to do. I know there's a lot stronger people than me out there." Goku said chuckling. "Besides, I don't think you have to be real strong to do instant transmission."
"Well, it's not exactly something most people can do, is it?" She giggled. "Neither is being able to sense other people's energy."
"Guess not. It does take a while to learn." He said nodding.
She tilted her head. "Do you think you'd be able to sense my energy and find me that way if say we set a time and date to meet up for you to follow my energy to the meeting place?"
"Of course!" He said with a nod.
She grinned. "Well that's great! Now we just need to pick a date and time each week. Then we can work from there. What day and time works for you?"
"Any. I don't really do much in the way of work." He said sheepishly.
"How in the world do you manage that?" She shook her head. "No matter. Well, let's see. Today's Tuesday. So, how about we check in for lunch on Thursday?"
"Sounds great!" He said with a nod.
"Great. Are you sure you don't want that ride?" She double checked as she started the car. "I don't mind."
"I'm sure." He said smiling. "I'll see you Thursday!" With a wave, he walked off.
She smiled. "See you then." She then pulled out of the lot to head for home
He waited till she was gone, then teleported back home.