"Hey Tony, come join us!" Melinda Sam's roommate called from where she was sitting with a bunch of students in the student lounge. There were about twenty of them, both boys and girls all sitting on the floor around a big coffee table which held a single candle.
'Hi Melinda! Hi Laurie! And everyone!" Tony said jovially. "I was looking for Sam actually. Is she in her room?"
"No, she's in the Chem lab working on a project." Jeanie, one of the twins, told him.
"Oh, ok. "
"Hey Tony sit down. We're having our monthly relationship talk." Janie the other twin said.
"Relationship talk?"
"Yeah, once a month we all get together and talk about any relationship or relationships we're having trouble with and the rest of us offer advice and try and help." Laurie said.
"And it can be any relationship. Boyfriend, girlfriend, parents, other students. Our goal is to get everything out in the open so we can deal with it and move on." Jennifer said.
"Wow, that sounds like a good idea."
"So, you'll join us?" Melinda asked.
"Hey, sure why not?" Tony sat down between Melinda and Laurie. "And the thing is Tony, sometimes these talks can get pretty rough. But our only goal is to help each other." Melinda said.
"Ok. got it! So how does this work? We just start talking?"
"No, the rule is whoever is holding the candle is the only one who can talk. And when you are finished you put the candle back on the table and that is when someone else can give you advice on how to handle your problem." Abigail informed him and picked the candle up. "And if it's okay I would like to go first."
Everyone nodded and motioned for her to begin.
Abigail drew a deep breath. "I am having so much trouble with my mom. I mean I love her and everything but sometimes I feel like she doesn't trust me. She thinks all I'm going to do while I am here is drink and yeah, I do have a lot of fun with you guys but I am mostly here to get a good education. I just wish she would see me as an adult and not a little girl." She placed the candle back on the table.
Janie picked it up. "I know how you feel. Our mom is the same way." she said, gesturing to her sister. "It's like they still see us as little girls in pigtails eating ice cream. But, as you said, we are adults. My advice is to sit down with your mom the next time you go home and have a heart to heart with her. If you want her to treat you like an adult then the first step is to confront the problem as an adult." Janie set the candle back down.
Laurie picked the candle up next. "Okay, my turn. My problem is with another student. I won't say her name in case any of you know her but she is just so distracting! We;re in three classes together and I'm trying to listen to the teacher and she is just constantly talking. And yeah I know I'm a big talker too." Everyone laughed. "But, there is a time and place and when I am in class I want to learn and I can't do that if I can't concentrate. And yeah I know I could say something to the teachers but I don't want to be a tattletale or whatever." She placed the candle on the table.
Jennifer picked the candle up. "I know how hard it can be when you're trying to listen to the teacher and someone keeps talking. But, maybe this girl, whoever she is, is lonely. And maybe she sees what we all see. That you are a nice person and she is looking for a friend. My advice is maybe next time tell her that you would appreciate it if she wouldn't talk to you during class but the next time you are both free you could go out and have a cup of coffee or something." She placed the candle on the table.
Melinda picked the candle up. "My turn. My problem is Michael. We started off pretty well but now it just feels like he is slipping thing is I really like him and he is a nice guy. But sometimes when we are out together he is checking out other girls. And I know some people are all, 'Boys will be boys!' but to me that is a cop-out. We have a date coming up this weekend and as I said I do like him but I am tired of being disrespected." She put the candle down.
Jeanie picked it up. "Yeah, it sucks when the guy you are with can't stop looking at other women. " She glared at the guys who all looked everywhere but at her. She turned back to Melinda. "Mel, I have to admit I am a little surprised you haven't already said something. You are one of the strongest women I have ever met. You never have trouble saying what is on your mind. But, then again maybe since it is so personal you can't find the right words. Maybe you could write down what you want to say and practice in front of a mirror. " She put the candle down.
Tony listened for the next ten minutes as the others either confessed their problems or offered advice. He had to admit he was pretty impressed. For a young group of people in their late teens to early twenties they all had good heads on their shoulders. Yes, some of the problems and advice were pretty rough as Melinda had pointed out. But he could also see how they respected each other and listened. The candle was on the table and he picked it up.
"Okay, I guess I'll go." He smiled. "I guess my problem is that I'm a little lonely. And that is something I have never felt before. And yeah a part of it is because Sam moved out so I know how your parents feel. But the thing is I still would have had Angela, Mona, and Jonathan. But Angela is spending so much time with Andy." he rolled his eyes. "And even Jonathan is busy and Mona? Well Mona's Mona!" he chuckled. "I just miss everyone but they're all so busy. But the person I miss the most is Angela. She is my best friend but she is just always with Andy. And I know it is all my fault. If I hadn't started up with Kathleen Angela wouldn't be dating Andy now. And when Kathleen and I broke up there was a part of me that wished that Angela would have broken up with Andy too. But, she didn't and now I just don't know what is going to happen. I'm scared I am going to lose her." He put the candle down.
Everyone looked at each other. They never realized how much pain he was in. He always portrayed himself as a confident guy but they now saw deep down how much he was hurting.
Melinda picked the candle up. "Ok Tony, I can understand that you are feeling lonely. But, did you really expect Angela to just dump this Andy guy because you and Kathleen are no longer dating?"
Laurie motioned for the candle and Melinda passed it to her. 'Yeah, I have to agree. Tony, you are a cool guy and everything but you can't just expect things to go back as they were before. You said that she was your best friend right?" Tony nodded. "But, it seems from your tone she is more than that?" Tony gulped and looked at the floor and shrugged his shoulders. He looked back up and held his hand out for the candle. Laurie passed it to him.
"Yeah, she kind of is. I mean she is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She opened her home to Sam and me. She gave me a job so Sam could grow up in a safe neighborhood. And over the years we became best friends and yes we have feelings for each other that are more than friendship. She is so warm and loving and I was an ass and broke her heart when I decided to date Kathleen." He shook his head. "And now I have to be reminded of that stupid decision whenever Angela is out with Andy." He put the candle down which was picked up by Jennifer.
"Well Tony, someone has to say it but you deserve it. Think of all the times Angela had to watch you go out with Kathleen. You were the one who decided to date another woman for whatever reason. You just can't expect Angela to run into your arms." She put the candle down.
Melinda picked it up. "Tony, you know that I think you are one of the coolest people I know but as they say: 'You made your bed now lie in it.' If Angela and you are meant for each other you'll have to trust in that." She looked around the room. "Does anyone have anything to say?" They all shook their heads no. "Okay, then I think we can stop for tonight. Thanks for coming, everyone!" They all stood up and told each other goodbye until only Tony, Melinda, Laurie, and Jennifer were left.
"So, how did you like it?" Laurie asked.
"It was good. Very therapeutic." Tony said.
"We just hope we didn't hurt your feelings too much. But as I said our only goal is to help." Melinda said.
Tony nodded. "Yeah, I understand. I think this is a great idea ."
"So next month, same time, same place?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah, okay. Same time. Same place."