Trust Me Read Free Page B

with full attention.
    “I’m sure you’re all familiar with Bobbi Bradley. Hopefully you have each read her book, Saving Our Lives , from which this program came into being.” He paused and looked around. Members in the group were nodding their heads in acknowledgment. “If so, then you know that this work has drawn from twelve-step programs, time-honored spiritual disciplines, and the latest work in psychology and neurolinguistics.”
    She hadn’t read the book but she felt hopeful that there was something substantial here, possibly something that could solve her problem.
    “We bring our problems here,” Art went on, “our insecurities and fears, our addictions and self-destructive behaviors, and expose them to the light of day. But that’s only the beginning. There is something available here, a map to navigate by, to get us to a safe haven of sanity and rational living. It’s charted out in Bobbi’s book, but to really experience the power of her ideas there’s nothing like seeing her in person. So I just wanted to share, for those of you who didn’t know, that Bobbi will be giving a seminar on the course tomorrow night at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. I have flyers if you would like to know more about it. Thank you.”
    Cynthia checked her watch and then announced, “That’s all the time we’ve got.” She buried herself in the format for a moment and then added, “It is a custom after this meeting to get together at Hamburger Harry’s for fellowship. We welcome the new people to join us.”
    Everyone stood up and joined hands. “I already have the power to change,” the group chanted in unison. Holly, embarrassed, joined in: “Together, we can save our lives.” The room burst into a cacophony of scattered chattering and the folding and gathering of metal chairs.
    She thought of saying hello to the few people she had met before, but they all seemed to be engaged in conversation. People throughout the room were hugging each other. She headed for the door, which was blocked by a knot of people gathered around Art, who cheerfully handed out bright orange flyers for the seminar.
    “Hello,” he said, and then he held out his hand. When she took it he gently drew her around in such a way as to separate the two of them from the rest; it even seemed quieter, she thought, as though they were in a cocoon. “I sense that you’re new here.” His gaze was very direct, but he drew her in in a comforting way, his smile friendly and reassuring.
    “Yes. I’ve been to two other meetings before tonight.” He was still holding her hand. “I’m Holly. It’s very nice to meet you,” and she shook his hand, expecting him to then let go. Instead, he brought up his other hand and now held her palm between both of his.
    “Holly. How very nice that you’re here.” He still smiled, but his voice became grave. “Something quite painful is usually required to bring us here. The path to freedom begins with sharing your pain.”
    His hands were warm and dry, comforting, even though she felt a bit foolish. “Yes. Things are a little confusing. It seems like the parts of my life definitely don’t fit together like they should.”
    Art let go of her hand, only to take her shoulder and propel her toward the other people by the door. “Everybody, this is Holly! She’s new and she’s joining us at Harry’s.”
    After reluctantly allowing herself to be hugged by five or six people whose names she immediately forgot, Holly felt Art take her by the elbow. “Why don’t you leave your car here and drive with me? It’s really much easier than trying to find the place by yourself. I’ll bring you back.”
    “Well, I think I’ll just follow—” she stammered, but Art interrupted her.
    “Holly,” he seemed suddenly stern. “It’s okay. It’s different here. It’s safe, and it’s crucial that you believe that, starting right now. You need a place where you can begin to trust.”
    She hadn’t intended to go, but