Page 110 of Missing Marcus

Patch approachedthe two waiting men. Marcus swiped the scruff along his jaw.

“What’s the matter?” Patch asked.

“She wants me to ride with her. I feel I’m in control but I don’t think I can handle answering questions yet. I know you want me to tell her what I’m doing. I don’t want her back because of guilt or pity. I did everything she claims. She has a right to find happiness and not deal with my bullshit,” he stressed.

“Why don’t you take care of your needs, and I’ll explain to Gabby why it’s best to keep things status quo?” Patch responded.

Marcus struggled with himself before finally nodding and walking away. He didn’t want her to feel he abandoned her, but he barely contained his emotions, which bubbled at the surface. He needed the time. The closer they neared their destination, the more anxiety reared its ugly head. Vowing to see this through for Gabby and his child, he didn’t want her to see him like last night.

Gabby exitedthe bathroom and searched for Marcus. Patch smiled and nodded toward their vehicles.

“He’s not riding with me, is he?” she asked.

“Come on. We’ll talk once we get on the road,” Patch coaxed as he led her to the minivan. He helped her inside and slid into the driver’s seat. He pulled out when Shadow gave him the go ahead.

“Why doesn’t he want to ride with me? I promised not to discuss last night,” Gabby demanded.

Patch glanced at her. “You know your husband. From what you told me before he went on his last assignment, he ensured your comfort and safety. It’s hard for a man like him to have his spouse see him at his weakest. It’s not anything you’ve done. It’s more about how you’ll see him. Give him some space to settle his feelings.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand. We set this date months ago. He insisted on the earliest one. Now he loses his mind and no one will tell me what’s happening.”

“What did you read earlier?” Patch asked. “Does anything stick out?”

“Thinking back, I now understand his actions regarding the landscaping and how he seemed distracted all the time. The outbursts when I tried to speak with him and his lack of sleep. He blamed it on work. If he showed symptoms, why didn’t the military see this?”

Patch sighed. “Marcus’ job required him to work alone. He saw people when necessary. When you went to the accounting office after discovering everything about your boss, did you show him how you felt about his disregard for human life?”

“No. I didn’t want him to know until we succeeded in getting what we needed to put him away,” she explained.

“Hmmm. Imagine how spinning up constantly, struggling with marital issues and unable to communicate with his partner about his job took a toll on a man who always seemed in control.”

“It doesn’t explain missed birthdays or treating me like he did,” Gabby stated angrily.

“I’m not condoning his behavior. Step into Marcus’ shoes for a moment. Think about this past year and a half. When did you notice the changes? Then ask yourself, after spinning up, if you return home and found a stranger in your bedroom and your wife in bed, what’s your reaction?”

“I didn’t consider his point of view. When I discovered my pregnancy, our welfare took precedence. It’s my job to protect my child.”

“From what?” he asked as he glanced in his mirror.

Gabby swallowed. “I don’t want him to hurt our child,” she admitted.

“Has he physically hurt you?” Patch arched an eyebrow in her direction and his voice deepened.

“Oh, no.” Gabby shook her head. “Even when we fought, he left or locked himself in his office. I don’t want him to abandon this baby.”

Patch nodded. “I guess you have a lot to think about. Marcus told us he questioned the paternity when he saw you at the hospital. Did he abandon you then?”

Gabby hung her head. “No. He seemed angry. Yet he still insisted on taking care of me. Even when he took me home, he asked if I brought him to my lover’s apartment. I closed the door in his face. A few minutes later he barged in and still brought me to Serenity and bought me tacos.”

Patch turned the music up. “Why don’t you mull over your thoughts? This must be your decision, Gabby. What do you want to do?”

She stared at the road ahead. She felt positive about the divorce before she read the pamphlets and witnessed Marcus’ meltdown. Then why did it feel like this new information changed how she felt about his actions?

Shadow sighed.“Why don’t you tell her about what you went through? You don’t need details. It might help her to understand. Mental health issues don’t make you weak. You protected our country, man.”

“I don’t want her to reconsider based on my needs. We have a child to consider. Her happiness comes first. I need to work on myself.”

“You’re an asshole. I may be recently married, but even I know communicating your needs to your partner tops the list of marriage 101.”

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