Mr. Bennett puttered around the first floor of his home, readying for a quiet night, when he heard a light knock at the door. He smiled, making his way to the front door.

"Hello, Peter," Bennett spoke as he swung the door open. His smile fell seeing Peter with an arm slung over the shoulders of a dejected Micky. "Oh, dear. Come in, boys." He ushered them in and asked them to make themselves comfortable in the living room.

Peter glanced at Micky, who was more interested in the pattern of the couch, and paused, wondering how much he should tell Mr. Bennett. "Mr. Bennett, we, umm... we ran into a big problem and, well, I guess you can see that Micky isn’t too happy. I was hoping that maybe we could help him meditate."

Bennett gave Micky a glance that was met briefly before his eyes turned down again. He nodded. "I would be more than happy to help." He paused. "Micky, please look up. You feel bad about whatever has happened. The main step in healing is to not blame yourself."

Micky looked up uneasily and shrugged lightly. "It’s kinda hard not to blame myself, Mr. Bennett."

Bennett sat back in his easy chair. "Micky, I have a few questions I’d like for you to think about. You don’t need to answer aloud, but rather just think about the answers." He paused, folding his hands in his lap. "What are you excited about in you life right now?" Micky’s eyes widened, but he said nothing as Bennett continued, "What are you proud of in your life right now? What are you committed to?" He smiled lightly. "Or should I say who are you committed to right now?"

Micky’s eyebrows arched as his eyes glanced over the room. The answers to all three questions were all related to one person... His eyes closed tightly.

Bennett gave Peter a look and Peter nodded. Bennett continued, "Micky, I want you to remember that we all make mistakes. Your focus should not be on the mistake itself, but rather how you can learn from it."

Peter spoke up next: "Micky, I know you’re familiar with the Serenity Prayer." Micky nodded. "Please recite it."

Micky sucked in a breath, then spoke quietly, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

"Now create an image of peace in your mind. It can be an image of anything you wish. Anything that would bring you happiness," Bennett said.

A faint smile crossed Micky’s lips as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Peter smiled. "Micky, you love to jog on the beach. I’d be more than happy to jog with you."

Micky’s eyelids snapped open. "Now?"

Bennett nodded. "It’s part of the meditation."

"Okay... sure," Micky said, with a nod. Peter stood and moved over to him, draping his arm across his shoulders once he stood again.

"Thank you, Mr. Bennett," Peter said, over his shoulder.

Bennett watched the two leave and let out a sigh after the door closed. He shook his head. Something wasvery wrong and he could sense it. And he didn’t like it one bit.

* * * * *

Once outside, Peter checked up and down the street. Seeing it was clear of passersby, a blue light enveloped both guys and they disappeared, then reappeared on the beach.

"Come on, Micky, lets take a little jog before we go back up to the Pad," Peter said, motioning to the beach house just above them.

Micky glanced up at the house, then looked at Peter again, and nodded. "I’d like that."

They began to run. They were nearly halfway down the beach before Micky spoke up, "Thank you, Peter."

Peter smiled. "Just remember what we did to help you and it will continue to help. You can’t dwell on what Shelia did to you and... so on. You’re a much better person than that, Micky... and we love you too much to see you in such pain."

Micky slowed and stopped. Peter did the same. "It still hurts, Peter." He shook his head. "We may never see Mike again--"

Peter took hold of Micky’s arms. "No what ifs, Micky. We will get Michael back."

Micky opened his mouth, then shut it. He thought for a moment. "It’s tough, Pete... really tough, but I’m gonna do my best."

Peter smiled again, letting Micky’s arms go, and hugged him, which Micky returned somewhat hesitantly. "Thank you, Micky."

~End~