004

The Basement lights of the old Baptist church turned on and off twice beckoning people to the circle. “C’mon everyone. It’s time to start” Jerry scanned over the room as people shuffled from the coffee machine and door towards the ring of chairs.

“Welcome back to those of you who have been with us before, and I see a lot of new faces tonight too.” Jerry looked over the 10 people sitting around him. Nine were clutching their Styrofoam coffee cups staring at the liquid as if the cups were some kind of emotional life preserver. And then there was Bobby, he had already moved his chair back five feet out from the circle. At least he’s in the room this week. Jerry thought.

Jerry locked eyes with him. “Bobby, good to see you. Since you’ve been here before, would you be willing to review the rules for everyone?”

“It’s cause I don’t have a cup. That’s why you asked me. Isn’t it?” Bobby said as he stood up.

Jerry chuckled, “I suppose you’re right. You might want to try and grab one next week. Are you willing to go over the rules?”

“I guess I got no reason not to.” Bobby cleared his throat. “First rule of Overcoming Odd Phobias….Don’t talk about Overcoming Odd Phobias.” He snorted and paused. Everyone else just stared at him. “Aww c’mon. Just because we meet in a church doesn’t mean we can’t have a laugh. Anyway, the rules are you say your name, your phobia, and what it means. Oh and all phobias are created equal.”

“Thanks Bobby. Since you are already standing, why don’t you go first.”

“Fine. My name’s Bobby, I have hygrophobia, which is fear of liquid. Actually, it’s just coffee that freaks me out, and you’ll are making my life hard tonight.”

Mr. Pack jiggled his cup sloshing a little coffee onto the floor. “Watch out now.” The group chuckled and Jerry stood up quickly “Mr. Pack… why don’t you go next.”

His smile disappeared as he stood. “I’m Mr. Pack and you all can call me Mr. Pack. I have Keraunothnetophobia which is the fear of a satellite falling on me.” THUD! Peeking out from the arms he had instinctively thrown up in front of his face he sneered “Was that you Bobby?”

“Haha. That was a close one Mr. Pack, but just my shoe this time”

“I guess I deserved that.”  He said as he sat down.

Jerry tried to frown but couldn’t help but let the side of his mouth creep up. “Guys. Cut each other some slack here. I’m glad you all have such good senses of humor. Now, anyone new want to go. I promise those two will behave.” He eyed them both till they each nodded.

The hand of a slim young man crept into the air. You could see the slight tremor as he held it there. “Perfect” Jerry said. “Go ahead.”  The young man stood looking awkward. His t-shirt hung past his knees, and his legs looked oddly swollen.

“My name is Nathan. I have developed medectophobia or the fear of people being able to see…” He clammed up. “you know… people being able to see my… my manhood.” His eyes darted around the room searching for the snickers that usually followed when he told people about his fear, but everyone was just nodding with empathy.

“It wasn’t really a problem till I started wearing extra clothes to make sure it, my peter,” He blushed and cleared his throat “to make sure my dick was hidden. Now I’m wearing 4 pairs of pants and 2 long shirts just to make sure that I’m properly covered. Anything less and my world crumbles. I know it’s dumb, but that’s the way it is.” He stood there looking at Jerry and the others waiting for the humiliation to start. It always did.

The group just smiled. Not the usual OMG you’re a freeeeak smiles that were oh so common. They’d all seen those in the past. No, these were generous smiles. Smiles that said welcome home.

*all characters in this story are fictional