“Alright, quiet down, all of you. Especially you two, Jack and Jill,” the facilitator said.
Sherlock Holmes cleared his throat.
“I do have one question,” he said. “Why are they here?”
“Who?”
He nodded toward Jack and Jill.
“They’re nursery rhyme characters.”
“And?”
“This is a support group for literary characters.” He paused. “Standards ought to matter.”
Winnie-the-Pooh sat quietly in the corner, happily enjoying a small pot of honey.
“Excuse me,” he said, looking around the circle. “I don’t think anyone has ever asked to rewrite my ending.”
The room fell silent.
“Then… why are you here?” asked Gatsby.
Pooh smiled. “Someone said there would be snacks.”
“Attendance is voluntary,” she said. “Motives vary.”
Sherlock adjusted his chair..
“Clearly.”
“Welcome, everyone. Same rule as always. No judging endings.”
Old Yeller raised a paw.
“Excuse me… but I’m feeling a little judgy.”
“Nobody asked me,” Old Yeller muttered. “One minute I’m being a hero. The next minute… well, you know. I’d appreciate a second draft.
No one said a word.
Juliet quietly slid the tissue box toward him.
Without a word, the rest of the circle scooted their chairs a little closer.
“Every year,” Gatsby said quietly, “someone decides Daisy should have chosen differently.”
The room nodded.
“Would you want her to?” asked the facilitator.
Gatsby thought for a long moment.
“I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if they’re trying to save me… or themselves.”
The room stayed quiet for exactly three seconds.
Then everyone started talking at once.
“That’s exactly what I’ve been saying.”
“No, no, it’s because they can’t let go.”
“I still think mine deserved a sequel.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
The facilitator glanced at the clock and held up both hands.
“Alright, alright, one at a time.” She smiled. “Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have today.”
Scarlett O’Hara threw up her hands.
“What? I’d like to rewrite this meeting’s ending. I didn’t even get to speak.”
Pooh looked up.
“Wait… does this mean the snacks end, too?”
The facilitator giggled.
“Only until next week.”
Pooh nodded.
“Oh, good.” He smiled. “Still… I do rather agree with Scarlett. This ending could use a little editing.”
