Sunday I was nervous. Was I crazy? I’d been tempted to ask Danny for more information about the recovery group but decided not to. I wanted to find out through his eyes. Atually I didn’t think I really wanted to find out at all. So I avoided it.
I arrived at the House of Grace ten minutes earlier than I was expected. Danny was already standing in front of the big doors, chatting with a tall man with an orange t-shirt and white hair. He hadn’t seen me drive in, or at least hadn’t appeared to, so I sat in my car and watched his reflection in my side mirror. He was relaxed, happy, animated. He was glad to be here.
I finally got out of my car and walked toward the two men. Danny came to meet me with a wide smile.
“You’re here!” he said. He paused briefly and then shook my hand. “Glad you made it.” He walked with me back to the front doors and motioned to the man in orange. “Josh, this is my friend Elle. She agreed to join us tonight. Elle, this is Josh Brunson, the Celebrate Recovery pastor.”
Josh lit up and held out his hand. “Welcome to CR, Elle!” His white hair didn’t reflect his age; he looked to be below forty-five.
“Thank you,” I said, not sure what else to say.
Danny opened one of the doors. “Come on in, Elle,” he said, holding it for me. “Let’s get a cup of coffee before the meeting starts. I’ll introduce you to some people.”
As I followed him inside, fleetingly I wondered how I could let him know my name was L, not Elle.