He cooked for me, he shared stories, he told jokes and I sat there. Just sat and took it all in. The man was not sad and stuck, he wasn't beaten down by life and all he had been through. Yes it was a sad point , or points in time but he moved on. He didn't seem to let it slow him.

"I wish I had taken the time, learned a lesson or two from you." he ducked his head at that and covered his mouth with a loose fisted hand as he swallowed, it was a show of modesty and humble. To me it was a sign of strength. I give him his moment and change the subject. "So, my last time at treatment they had this group night where we would all get together and waste time with one activity or another. Mostly it was a movie or games things I guess to teach us what to do with our new sober nights." I can't help but roll my eyes at the whole thing. "I mean really teach me I don't have to get wasted that many people enjoy things without being high?"

This time he gave me a look like "really now do you?"

"I have had my moments of clarity." It's true I have had upwards of six months, which I would tell him but I really don't want him to think I gave up after all that work. Somehow I need his faith in me. "Anyway as I was saying after a few weeks they all kind of caught on to my talents and I wasn't allowed to play the games anymore." I look up and see him snickering, it's cute. I try my best not to smile back. "So while they are all playing their board games I decide to watch a movie and start naming off all the place, tv shows and movies I have seen the different actors. Soon I became the game."

"You always could charm them all, have them all coming to you even when you were the reason for your own exclusion.' He looks like he is far away. "I wish I could have learned that talent."

He is leaning on his elbows across from at the island. I mimic his form. I take a good long look at him and just say what so many should have been telling.

"You charmed the ones that count, even some that don't"