The Guy From My First Group

My first time attending the meeting that became my home group, there was a cigarette and coffee break halfway through. Several members of the group came up and introduced themselves and welcomed me. They could not have been more charming and inviting. They were trying their best to put this reluctant and distant person at ease the best they could. It was obvious to them that I was full of fear and not ready to let my guard down. I was scanning the room for a quick exit if necessary as one man approached me and introduced himself as Charlie and said he was from the same neighborhood I was. I knew who he was because he had a reputation as  someone not to be trusted. I also knew that he did time in state prison for various crimes. He was not my cup of tea and I gave him the cold shoulder. “I'm better than that,” I thought.