Sweating bullets while gazing out of his second story bedroom window in Glendale, California Michael Marcochi’s blue-green eyes were entranced by the flickering of a red and blue light. The dancing “Now Open” sign from the Links 12 Tavern across the street was seemingly sending out an attractive SOS begging Michael to ease his pains. He knew that he should go to an AA meeting, but the painful loneliness from Angela dumping him earlier that day had left him angry, depressed, and profoundly saddened. He did not want to have a drink, or go out to purchase a bottle of liquor, but the way his life had been going recently was pushing his sobriety to the limit.

Wiping the oily perspiration from his forehead, Michael slammed his fist down on his desk in frustration with a loud thwap, and he boisterously stormed out of the apartment. Michael’s roommates Brandon and Shawn, who were watching a college basketball game in living room, were stunned by what had just happened. Shawn raised his eyebrows in awe looking at Brandon. “Do you think we should go after Mike?” Brandon hesitated for a moment pondering the best course of action. “No, I think we should give him time to vent. I mean as angry as he just was there is no way Mike would listen to reason right now.” Nodding in agreement Shawn turned off the television, and got up from the sofa. “You are right. Let’s have faith in him. It has been an entire year since he has had a drink.” Yawning, Brandon calmly smiled. “I am going to call it a night, but we can pray that God will guide Mike through whatever caused his anger.” Shawn glanced over at the fuzzy lcd clock on the cablebox which read 11:33 PM and frowned. “Wow it is late. I have to catch some Z’s myself, but I will keep Mike in my prayers. Goodnight brother.”

Shortly after 1:30 AM, as the pale moonlight cast dark shadows of buildings across Fremont Street, Michael, not wanting to disturb his sleeping roommates quietly entered their apartment, and found his way to his room. In hushed fashion, while picking up the papers and pens on his desk which were disheveled due to his temper tantrum from earlier, he discovered his old journal had fallen from the shelf. While picking it up off the floor something compelled Mike to read the entry for March 15, 2015. It stated:
“Today, was excellent. I have a set plan of action to complete my major in Psychology, and I feel one step closer to achieving my goal towards becoming a certified Life Coach. I would honestly love to help others who are less fortunate achieve their goals, and this is the first step in a long road on this journey. I met the most beautiful woman in class today. She calls herself Angela. Her big blue eyes and long flowing strawberry blonde hair absolutely take my breath away. If I can build up enough courage I am going to ask her out for lunch at the campus center on Monday. I wonder if she likes cheese omelettes. I’m kinda hungry now. I better go make some food.”

Tears began flowing down Michael’s face as his thoughts were now strictly on all of the memories that he and Angela had shared together. The hikes, camping trips, study dates, parties at Bogies Bar, and the omelettes they both enjoyed were now like sharp knives piercing through his fragile beating heart. In hopes that reading more journal entries would help him get some sleep, he slowly got up and meandered over to his bed with his journal tightly clutched in his hands. The intermittent red and blue halo had ceased shining through Michael’s window due to the lateness of the night. As he continued to read, his eyelids became heavy and Michael was soon in a deep slumber.

Suddenly, the soothing silent atmosphere of the apartment was broken by a loud hollering. “Help! Help!” Brandon and Shawn both awakened by the screams immediately knocked on Michael’s bedroom door. Brandon nervously looked at Shawn while knocking rapidly. “Mike, are you alright?” “What is wrong?” They both continued to cry out in unison and great worry for their friend. Michael now dazed, half-awake, and stunned stumbled over to unlock his bedroom door. Shawn a bit frustrated after seeing Michael was in one piece by being woken up crunched his eyebrows together. “Mike, what is the reason you are screaming at 4:30 AM?” Brandon immediately sensing Shawn’s tone of anger raised his arms to suggest a moment of calmness. Shawn’s response was again straightforward. “We should go in the kitchen and discuss this.” After a moment of silence they all agreed to collect their thoughts over coffee. As the last few steaming drips sputtered into the pot, Michael confessed that he had a nightmare. “My dream was just awful.” Brandon and Shawn who were now fully awake exchanged inquisitive glances. Brushing his hand through his sandy light brown hair Michael continued to explain his dream.

“I was in a bank and there was a very long line of people. Angela was ahead of me, but she would not talk or even acknowledge my presence. As the line moved, I began searching for my wallet and a ma…” At that moment Shawn scratched his head curiously. “Did you and Angela break up?” A bit flustered by the outburst Michael began to get up and leave the kitchen, but Brandon stopped him. “Wait, man we are only trying to figure out what is going on with you. You have been silent for days on end, last night you left here in a rage, and now you are having night terrors.” Apologetically Michael looked down to the floor. “You guys, right now I am in a real bad way. Yes, me and Angela broke up. Honestly, I am not happy where I am in life right now, and my dream indicates that.” Brandon calmly got up from his chair and encouraged Michael to sit back down. “Please finish telling us about your dream, and just maybe we can help somehow.”
Surprised by his friend’s affectionate welcoming acceptance Michael hesitantly walked back to his chair, sat down, and began to finish explaining his dream to them. “Now where was I? Oh yes, there was a large man that appeared to cut in front of me in line. He had a gun, and this large fellow and Angela ran off out of the bank together. As they exited the bank, I chased them in pursuit. Then I saw these red and blue lights which I thought were police so I screamed for help.” Stammering with a bit of embarrassment Michael began to get up again from his chair. “I apologize for waking you both.” Brandon and Shawn were both captivated and mesmerized by what they had just heard. As Michael began to leave the room Shawn arose from his seat. “Listen, Mike, I am sorry for reacting the way I did. It’s just difficult to understand you sometimes. When you lock us out of what is going on we have no idea how to help you.” Pointing a finger in acknowledgement at Shawn’s apology Michael abruptly fell to floor in hysterical tears. “She left me and now I have nothing. I just want to drink! I want to drink till I am numb and I can’t feel anything at all!”

Brandon and Shawn shocked by this sudden open display of emotion rushed over to embrace Michael, and help him to the sofa. Michael’s tears had turned into full blown raging rivers. “I am so angry at everything right now.” Brandon raised his arm to put it around Michael for comfort. Just as the muffled tearful explosion turned to a wearisome sobbing Shawn bowed his head and closed his eyes in prayer. “Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask you to watch over Mike, and guide him through this treacherous time. Please, Lord, allow him to be sure-footed on your path. And, please give him the strength to resist the temptation to drink. Help Brandon and I to be there for Mike, and allow us to listen to him with a patience that can only come from you Lord. I ask these things in your almighty name Lord Jesus, Amen.” Michael now somewhat recovered from his breakdown thanked Shawn for his prayer. “I don’t know if that will help any, but I am grateful for your kind words my friend.”

Brandon who firmly believed in the strength and power of prayer looked at Michael with an expression of great joy. “Mike, God has never stopped loving you and, He is there for you now. It is up to you to take the first step, and ask for forgiveness.” Without hesitation Shawn chimed in inviting Michael to attend church with them in a few hours. Michael feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, and weak shook his head in disagreement. “Thank you both for being there for me, but I need to figure this out for myself. Right now, I just need to be alone with my thoughts.” Michael braced himself to get up, changed his clothes and immediately left the apartment. Brandon looked over at Shawn with a frightened expression. “Do you think he is going to the bar?” Making eye contact with Brandon, Shawn shook his head. “Let’s keep…” Just then there was a knock at the door. Thinking Mike had forgotten his keys, Brandon and Shawn raced to open it. It was Angela!

To be continued . . .