Mary Poppins Returns

As unlikely as it may seem, my first introduction to AA was at a meeting of bikers. I say it was unlikely because I am a 5 foot 2, 125-pound red-haired woman who looks about as dangerous as Mary Poppins. I was 18 years old, living in my first apartment in the small coastal town of Hoquiam, Wash., and I had struck up an acquaintanceship with a 20-something man who rode a motorcycle and lived in the apartment house behind mine. I will call him Gary. One day, when I saw my neighbor starting up his bike, I began chatting with him. He asked if I wanted to take a ride with him out to Westport, 30 miles or so farther out on the coast. He said he was going to a meeting (didn’t specify what type of meeting) and invited me to come along if I felt like it. Taking a cruise on that scenic route on a sunny day definitely sounded like a great idea to me, so I cheerfully accepted. Well, when we got out there I discovered we were at an AA meeting held in a lighthouse/coast guard station. Everyone there (except me) wore a leather jacket that had “Alkie Angels” printed on it. It was the coolest thing I had ever been a part of. I knew this guy was a total gentleman and that I was safe not only in his company, but with the entire group of these rough, tough-looking characters. I was both grateful and amazed by it all.