Something happened to me when I was at the second class I will not forget. Remember Marty, the soft-spoken one, who said very little? At each class, we would take a break in the middle of the session. Marty and I were in the hallway looking into another class that seemed to be like a party.
“Look, Marty, they’re having a great time in there.”
“Yeah, looks like they’re having fun.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
“That’s where you go when you finish our class,” Marty said sadly.
I jokingly commented I couldn’t wait to get to that class. Marty chuckled a little, “I don’t know, Mike, sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel.” I could tell by the look in his eyes he meant it. He looked crestfallen. I didn’t know what to say so I kept quiet. We looked at those people laughing while we were crying on the inside.
I never saw Marty again after that class and I don’t know what happened to him. I told the rest of the group what happened and they all felt bad. I wished I could have said something to help Marty. Jim advised, “You did the best thing for him Mike, you listened.” I will not forget Marty and how he shared his feelings with me. I hope wherever he is he has found some comfort and peace.
