PO Box 1980

The eye of Hurricane Gilbert had passed over Kingston just before 3 PM on Monday and the gale winds and drenching rain had just let up on Wednesday morning. At 5 PM Wednesday, I am climbing through a tangle of fallen tree trunks and branches in the driveway of the school building where Liguanea AA holds its meetings. Part of the roof is gone--but there aren't many roofs intact in Kingston tonight. As I look up I see four figures waiting there on the porch. Yes--one of them looks like Jeannie, who had slipped away from us about six months ago! On the porch, we exchange hard luck stories: Dorothy has no roof and has moved in with neighbors; David B. has only a couple of dry rooms. Jeannie? She's just happy to be back! No need to go looking for the key tonight--Gilbert blew the front door in. The tables and chairs are thrown around the room and the floor is one big puddle, but with just a few dry rags and ten minutes of housekeeping, we are ready to start the meeting.