Linda & Greg Morris's Arc

Chapter 2 of 11

Linda taped the first flyer to the community center's bulletin board. Bold letters spelled out "MARRIAGE SUPPORT GROUP" across the top. Her hands shook as she smoothed the edges. Greg stood behind her, quiet. They'd spent two hours at the kitchen table writing and rewriting those words. What if nobody came? What if everyone thought they were crazy for trying to fix other marriages when their own barely worked? Linda stepped back and read it one more time. Meeting every Thursday at seven. All couples welcome. No judgment, just honesty. Greg touched her shoulder. "It's good," he said. Linda nodded. The flyer hung there like a promise they'd made to themselves and to every struggling couple in town who needed to know they weren't alone. The next week, Greg found a small shed behind the mechanic's shop. The owner said they could use it if they helped clean it out. They spent Saturday hauling out old tires and empty oil cans. Inside, the shed was dry and solid. Perfect for storing folding chairs when the group got bigger. Linda swept the floor while Greg fixed the door latch. They both knew it might be months before they needed extra chairs, but preparing felt like hope. Thursday evening came fast. Linda arrived at the community center an hour early. She set out the round wooden table and four chairs. Greg brought coffee and paper cups. At six-thirty, Linda walked outside. The sun was setting, and the path from the parking area looked dark. Greg was already there, stringing lights through the branches of a juniper tree near the entrance. The soft glow made the whole walkway feel safer, warmer. Linda watched him work and felt something shift between them—not fixed, but moving. By seven-fifteen, no one had come. Linda sat at the table, staring at the empty chairs. Greg poured two cups of coffee and sat down across from her. They'd done everything they could think of, but maybe it wasn't enough. Then Linda pulled out a notebook. "We need to learn more," she said. Greg looked up. "About what?" Linda tapped her pen on the page. "About how to actually help people. How to lead a group. How to listen the right way." Greg nodded slowly. The next morning, they drove to the therapy office building on the edge of town. Linda asked the receptionist if any counselors offered training. The woman wrote down two names and a phone number. Greg folded the paper and put it in his pocket. They walked back to the truck together, ready to begin again.