Page 98 of First Date: Divorce
“I’m afraid we have to.We can’t leave them locked in there for our whole session.”
The voices outside the closet were not as easily ignored as the buzzing.
Neither was the fumbling at the lock from the outside.
She and Eric stilled.
He swore softly and steadily as a click came, then the fumbling stopped.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Sorry, dears,” came Izzy’s voice from outside the closet.“We didn’t want to leave you locked in while we have our counseling.It’s open when you’re ready to leave.But no need to rush.”
*
“Why do you keep asking me about my mother,” K.D.snapped a few minutes into her final solo session with Melody.She’d made it on time, but only by arriving at the counseling room in the robe, once more securely fastened.
Melody muttered something about being pleased K.D.took an opportunity to relax.
Then she asked about K.D.’s mother.
“Aren’t you supposed to be trying to save my marriage to Eric?”
“There appears to be a connection,” Melody said evenly.“You and Eric have a bond.Oh, sometimes you try to subvert it with shows of anger or indifference, but it’s there.The wall you’ve built between the two of you — both of you have built — concerns children and family.Your feelings about those issues come back to your mother.Tell me, how does your mother feel about your marriage to Eric?”
Not something they’d covered.
“She can’t understand why I don’t think being awifeis the highest achievement possible when I have her great marriage to my stepfather Mark as a shining example.”
She recalled her conversation with the women of Far Hills Ranch the day before the wedding.The conversation about mothers with Ellyn, Rebecca, and Kendra.No doubt her statement fell well short of the understanding those three women urged, but at least it filled the silence.
“Is there abuse in your mother’s relationship?”
“Not physical.”
“Emotional?”
She considered that.“Not that I know of, but she won’t think or act for herself.”
“Maybe she was tired of thinking and acting for herself.Maybe she was tired of making decisions.Maybe this feels safe and comfortable to her.”
What if your mother loves him?What if their marriage gives them both what they want?Isn’t that what a marriage should be?
She wasn’t aware she was crying until Melody pressed a tissue in her hand.
*
K.D.was subdued through dinner and the rest of the routine.What Eric didn’t know was if she was beating herself up over not having all the answers about Marriage-Save or for nearly making love with him in the closet.
In bed, he reached toward her, making sure it wouldn’t be obvious on a hypothetical recording.
It seemed like a long time before she reached back so their hands connected.
“Talked to Izzy and Orion later.”Interesting to talk without moving your lips.He’d never be a ventriloquist, but understandable.
She made a sort of humming sound he interpreted as confirmation she was listening.
“Didn’t get more on their backgrounds, but they did explain that they locked us in because they thought we needed a nudge.Felt bad for interrupting us before.They were canoodling — their word — on the loveseat in an empty office down the hall and heard us passing.Followed to see what was happening.
