�None,� the pixie shook her head, and to reassure her partner, kissed her sincerely. �Like I said earlier. This is the first time I�ve felt right about anyone in my entire life. This is the first time I feel comfortable, not like some kind of alien in human skin.�

Claire stroked her hair, and they held each other in a loving embrace. This was the part that scared her the most, the moment she wanted to hold onto forever. She didn�t want this night to end.

�Okay, folks, it�s that time,� the meeting leader said. �Everyone stand up, and let�s make a circle up here in front.�

Diane took a deep breath and stood, stretching her limbs. She felt better, stronger. Coming to meetings made her feel like she had a better handle on her urges and bolstered her resolve. She couldn�t seem to shake this nagging feeling of anxiety. She had to be careful about everything she said and did around Claire, who seemed to be watching her very closely lately. She found herself avoiding Danny. And when she couldn�t avoid him, she found fault in things he did. She bristled when he suggested they get away for a weekend, just to work things out. He tried to be understanding of her mood swings, but finally, he seemed to have given up on having a relationship with her. Their friendship had become very strained. Diane forgot what it was she had seen in him.

Harry hadn�t called for two weeks.

Diane was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she was going through the motions during the Serenity prayer that ended the meeting. She mechanically stood and grabbed the hands of the neighbors on either side of her. Suddenly, it occurred to her that this prayer might hold some answers for her general state of anxiety. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the words as she recited them:

�Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.�

As she concentrated on the meaning of the prayer, she thought she heard a familiar voice. Her eyes came into focus, and she noticed a familiar face directly across from her in the circle. The hair on her arms stood on end when she realized she was looking at the bemused smirk of Harry Denby. For the first time that day, Diane smiled.

�I was wondering how long it would take for you to realize I was right in front of you all along. Want to get some coffee?�

�Sure,� Diane said, still smiling.