Hope to heaven I do.
Chapter Two
The support group met as scheduled on Wednesday evening at seven in room 405 of the Arts Building. This fourth floor was taken up mainly with faculty offices. It was a quiet area, with occasionally a professor or secretarial personnel moving about, as well as a student now and then going to or coming from an interview. Amid this rather private atmosphere, room 405 was set aside as a meeting room for use of staff or other approved groups.
Collin Seldon, in accordance with his usual practice arrived a little early, but the open door of room 405 revealed that three others were already present. He entered the room, and as he did, he entered upon a new experience in life - well, not entirely new, it was to be old and familiar content, but with a new approach and emphasis. Collin sensed that already, even with all it may take out of him, he was glad he had come.
“So pleased you came” said Owen Winslow, one of the three early comers, as he went to Collin and shook hands. “Come, meet Dr. Eldren,” he continued as he gripped Collin’s shoulder and led him toward the senior person present.
Dr Eldren gave a hearty hand shake. “Most welcome to the group” he said, obviously well pleased at Collin’s attendance. “Owen has told me a great deal about you already, even though he has known you for so short a time. He has great expectations for the contribution he feels you can make to our group - now I would like you to meet the youngest member of the club, Albin Anders.”
Albin was standing beside the doctor. He blushed slightly at the mention of his own name. Obviously shy, he shook hands with Collin, rather hesitantly.
“How do you do,” he said quietly and without the hearty exuberance that had been shown by the older men present. It was evident Albin Anders was very shy indeed.
Quickly Owen moved to his vacant side, the side opposite to where Dr. Eldren was standing, placed his arm around Albin’s shoulder, “Albin has become unofficially our prime charge in this venture,” said Owen as he affectionately ruffled Albin’s young shoulders with his powerful arm. “He is young, eager, and to date not too badly scathed in life. We hope to see him through to better days.”
Collin could not help but look at Albin and size him up. Young, twenty one years of age or so, he would guess; fair complexioned, blonde hair, average height, with a youthful body and appearance; striking to look at. Collin’s mind went into a swirl of thought and reflection. Past, present and future all sprang to his mind. Tears of emotion came to his eyes. Nobody would notice, he hoped. He fought it back, and kept it hidden as best he could. Yes, Albin Anders would need help and support from the strong arm of Owen Winslow - and many others, went Collin’s flashing thoughts. Life is not a bed of roses for Albin Anders, I’m glad I came, was his thought on the matter as three other persons entered the door.
Owen Winslow did the introductions again as two ladies and a man now joined those already present in room 405. “This is Gilda Emerson, and this is Donna Coyne,” he said as he turned to Collin. “Collin Seldon, ladies, a new member of our group.” There was an exchange of handshakes. They were ladies indeed. Collin’s thoughts shot into action again concerning what flak such fine people as they must have to put up with in society. It was interrupted this time, as Owen went on to say with a grin “and this is Leo Aidan, a man who brings such life and vigor to our group as you have never seen before.”
“Oh, just listen to the reputation this guy is giving me,” he shot back mischievously. “You just wait and decide for yourself Collin, and you’ll find me to be one of the most peaceful people you ever met.” Everyone laughed and the ice was well broken.
Dr. Eldren looked at his watch. “Is Brett planning to continue his attendance in this group?” he asked of Owen.
“Yes,” replied Owen with a smile, “but you know he’ll be late!”
“Well, we can arrange the chairs and sit down at any rate,” suggested the doctor.
Chairs were placed in a circle, and as they were about to sit, the remaining member, Brett Culver rushed into the room.
“Sorry I’m late again folks,” he apologized, and greeted the other members of the group with handshakes and a warm comment of how nice it was to be here and see them all again. He included Collin in his greeting without introduction, as a part of his effort not to delay the meeting. “I’m making a real effort these days to be on time for appointments, and its working - almost! I almost made it on time this evening, but will have to do better in the future,” he said in self-criticism of a light nature. There was laughter and everyone was at ease as they sat down.
Dr. Eldren took the initiative. He spoke in the mellowing tones of a sympathetic man of seventy years of age. “As you already know, I am Dr. Eldren, a psychiatrist retired from private practice, and doing part time work in counseling here at Quilibet University. For the benefit of our new-comer, Collin Seldon, whom we are pleased to have join us, and also to refresh the memories of the remainder of us who met three times last spring, we will survey our purpose and accomplishments to date. Then hopefully we will be able to chart a course for the semester we are just beginning. Do you all agree with that approach?” he asked.
The doctor apparently wanted a shared planning and responsibility for this group - a mutual effort for the highest benefit. Collin was pleased immeasurably with that. He had already taken a cautious liking to this psychiatrist whom he learned had had a great deal of experience in a notable private practice which had involved him in the broader realms of the field. A man so experienced and mature would no doubt have a mind open enough to take in and deal with the ordinary, the extra-ordinary, the unexpected, even the unbelievable. Collin was becoming more impressed by the minute as Dr. Eldren spoke. His understanding tones befitted his humane appearance. His gray hair, almost white, yet thinned very little, rose up somewhat at the front, then swept back over his head in a medium length as though a crew cut had grown too long. Yet it was well trimmed at the sides, making it obvious that it was not really overgrown, but intentionally groomed that way. Dr. Eldren had put on very little extra weight in his older years. He was not exactly thin, but less than medium build, and a little on the tall side. His face showed slightly bulging jowls, common to a man of his years. He appeared to be holding his age well, except for one thing - his face appeared to be pale. He had a pleasant face, but it was very pale, Colin noticed. There could be a thousand and one reasons, either temporary or permanent for a person to have a pale face, he thought.
“This group was formed last spring, mainly on the initiative of Owen Winslow,” continued the likable doctor. “Albin Anders,” he said, as he looked at Albin with an affectionate smile, “was in Owen’s class. Perhaps you would like to tell us Owen, how you and Albin came to be here.”
“Yes,” replied Owen, “I teach a history of religion course and Albin was in my class. I half noticed, half guessed that he was probably having similar difficulties as I had when I was younger and struggling through college, so after I got to know him better through routine class work, I approached him on the matter. Sure enough it was with him as I had thought. I came and spoke to Dr. Eldren about him. Dr Eldren just about that time had Leo Aidan referred to him by a department head for counseling because of the difficulty he was having with a professor in the department. During the same semester in another of my classes I was getting to know Gilda Emerson. In this case I had no reason to believe she had any problem - she appeared to be doing well - until one day in an after-class discussion she revealed to me that she had been having problems in the past, but was now doing fairly well. Because of this information and further observation, I thought she could both help with and benefit from this group. I invited her and here she is. So with the project unintentionally growing into a support group,
