SADIE FROM GROUP
“This guy I’m living with…he chews
tobacco. It’s in his teeth and it so
disgusting.” Sadie complained
about him every group session.
“And he farts at least a hundred times
a day. Turns my stomach.” But, she
lives there rent free and has little
options. She’s been on the street before.
“I don’t mind sucking him off, but I
just wish he washed better. He smells
like crap and tastes like piss.” They try
to steer talk back to other addictions.
We are drug addicts and alcololics,
mostly. It’s not AA or NA…it’s a county
mental health group. There are ten of
us – all years younger than myself.
Sadie monopolizes most sessions.
Her whining voice gives me migraines.
Half the group signs in, does the time
and never has to share their feelings.
With Sadie there, the others achieve
nothing. Imagine the surprise the week
she didn’t show! Then, we found out
that she’d been beaten to death.
Her 77 year old lover finally snapped
after listening to her complaints and
told her to leave. She didn’t. He used
a frying pan on her right in his kitchen.
Some of the group wanted to testify
on his behalf about how annoying
Sadie was. Our group leader advised
against it. I did anyway. Migraine cured.
