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Izzie Mills tried to keep her composure as she looked around the room and the strangers who sat in a circle filled room. She could feel them all drawing the attention away from them to her.

Damn, did I make a mistake? What was I thinking?  

As she began to doubt herself a bit., she heard a voice coming from the right side of the room.

“So, are we starting or what?”

Izzie turned her head and smiled at the woman.

“Yes, I am ready,” said an eager Izzie as she directed her attention to everyone in the room.

“Good to know, I was beginning to wonder why I came?”

Izzie knew this therapy session would not be smooth sailing. However, she thought no one in the group would bitch so early in the session.

“Excuse me. What is your name?”  asked Izzie.

“I am Alice.”

“Thank you, Alice, for breaking the ice today.”

Izzie talked in a sarcastic tone when she said this. She could hear a bit of laughter from behind the other side of the room.

Izzie glared at Alice. But it didn’t seem to make a difference Alice stared right back and slouched at her seat.

For the moment, Izzie ignored her.

“Welcome to our first group session. I am Dr. Isabella Mills. But people just call me Izzie.”

Everyone seemed impressed by the way Dr. Mills carried herself despite what Alice tried to do.

“I am originally from New York City,  but I came to Duncan, Texas, to make a difference, and this is why I created this group.”

As she mentioned New York.  There were some slight whispers in the room.

“Wow, New York City,” said a smiling Gertie.  Andres could not help but turn to Gertie. He smiled at her. Andres was captivated by her. She is beautiful.  

Gertie felt someone gazing at her. When she turned and saw that it was Andres.  She grinned back at him. Oh, my goodness, What is happening? 

At the same time, Izzie continued to speak.

“This group session is meant to help you all cope with the things that keep making you go back to everything that causes your relapses and doesn’t allow you to move forward.”

Eric rolled his eyes and wasn’t quite impressed with Dr. Mills.

Alice was glad she wasn’t the only one.

But Lexi and James seemed intrigued by the possibility.

“I sure need this to work,” whispered Lexi.

“This has to work for me,” said James as he stood back in the room.

Izzie looked at everyone and began to do a roll call. As each of them answered, she was happy with herself. All the ones who signed up showed up.

“The goal of these therapies is to forgive yourself for all the mistakes and to work towards making a new path and make you whole once again.”

As Izzie walked around the room, she noticed all eyes on her.

“Okay, so let’s begin.”