What happened to Ted?

I hate to admit it, but the first time I saw Ted I hoped he would not come anywhere near me. It was his first AA meeting. He had been on an all-night drunk.  His speech was slurred, he smelled like stale booze (and a variety of other unpleasant things) and he looked like he might throw up. I remember saying a quick prayer as he entered the room. I said, “God, please don’t let him sit next to me.”