Puppets of Love

“Hello, My name is Ethan Chambers and I am an alcoholic.”

“hello Ethan.” Came the chorus reply from the alcoholics anonymous group.

“I uh… have been sober for two years.” Wilas smiled as tapped his fingers on the wooden stand before exhaling, “I don’t know what to say. A few years ago I never even thought I had a problem and my life was headed down the drain without me even knowing it..” he smiled tightly, “Today I am two years sober and recently engaged to the love of my life. Thank you for the support… especially to my sponsor.” He looked at his sponsor who nodded with a sweet smile.

“Thank you.” Ethan nodded and the rest occf the members of alcoholic anonymous clapped as he got the 2 years sober badge.

The curly haired Ethan, climbed down the stairs and sat in his position as someone else walked up.

“Congratulations Ethan.” The man next to him leaned towards him and he smirked.

“I would have thanked you too, Jonathan…I wanted to.”

“I would have murdered you. This is your recovery. Not mine.”  Jonathan shook his head and combed his peppered hair back. He was not much older than Ethan considering they had been classmates but he looked significantly older which he attributed to the stress his job so freely gave him.

The session finished rather quickly and they headed out with a stale cookie in hand, “When is your celebration? You’re encroaching on one year aren’t you?” Ethan asked.

“uh… one month actually.” Jonathan replied, guilt etched on his face.

“Okay…” Ethan nodded, biting into the cookie with a grimace, “They just don’t let these go to the trash do they?”

“you can say you’re disappointed Ethan, It isn’t unbecoming to be honest.” Jonathan rolled his eyes, tossing the cookie in the trash can they passed by.

“It’s unbecoming to be unencouraging.” Ethan replied with a raised brow and bit a part of the cookie

“Is it unbecoming to spit the cookie that you clearly don’t like too?”

“Evidently.” Ethan swallowed with a grimace, “Anyway… I uh need to tell you something.”

Jonathan looked at him expectantly and nodded, “Tell me.”

“I proposed to Adelyn…” A tint of red sparked in his cheeks as a large smile crossed Jonathan’s face.

“did she say yes?”

“She did… why else would I smile while telling you.”

“You lucky bastard!” He exclaimed and hugged Ethan, “Congratulations! Wow…. You’re going to get married.”

Ethan nodded with a growing smile, “I’m going to get married… and uh, I have to tell my mother.”

“Oh.” The smile disappeared from both their faces and it seemed like the weather had dulled nearly immediately, “H.. how are you going to do it?”

“Over dinner tonight.” He shrugged, “Adelyn is dreading it.”

“Adelyn isn’t alone.” Jonathan scoffed, “ your mother is terrifying… I pity Adelyn. Tell her I said so.”

“I will.” He nodded  and sighed, “It’s going to be a shit show.

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