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“You should go, Patrick. We’re fine here.” Addie replied flatly.
“Yeah, I know. But I was thinking maybe when I get back you and I could go away together and leave the boys with my mom like we used to in the old days.”
“I don’t think so, Patrick. Nothing has changed for me. I still want a divorce.”
Patrick rolled his eyes and wheeled his luggage towards the door before slowly turning back. He walked to Addie, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head. “You just need time. I think this weekend will do us both some good. Tell the boys I love them and that I’ll call them from the road, okay?”
Addie placed her book down on the chair and sat up straight. “We’re moving out, Patrick.”
Patrick halted abruptly just inside the doorframe. “Addison, come on. Right now isn’t the time for this.”
“This isn’t about timing. I wanted to let you know.” Addie sighed.
Patrick turned and started down the stairs. “Take this weekend and think it over, all right? I think a little breather will do you some good.”
Addie shrugged. “I’m sure. Have a good time. We’ll talk when you get back.”
Patrick stopped at the front door and glanced over his shoulder at his wife. “Now, that’s the girl I know and love.” He turned the knob and hesitated just a second before walking out the front door, not quite realizing that life as they both knew it was about to drastically change.
William showed up for his second session of the week, five minutes late. Sondra knew William; she knew this wasn’t good. He stopped just inside the door of her apartment and leaned against the wall, waiting. Dressed in his usual three-piece business suit, Sondra couldn’t help but notice how worn down he looked. In the past, this would’ve been one of those times that Sondra invited him to her bedroom following their session, but this time she wasn’t so sure that even that would help. In addition, she no longer wanted to get involved with William in that way. They’d both grown beyond being each other’s lover. There was too much animosity there. He needed her for one thing and one thing only. And Sondra knew better than to turn a powerful man like William away.
William cleared his throat, knocking Sondra out of her reverie. “I apologize for being late.”
Sondra noticed the redness around his eyes and the soft lines forming across his face as he squeezed at the bridge of his nose. “Is everything all right, Mr. Hartman?”
“Yeah. Why are we standing around out here? Hey, look, no marks above the neck today. I have a business dinner following our appointment.”
Sondra frowned. “William, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to try something different today. I think you’re ready for it.” Sondra hesitated, pointing towards her living area. “What if we start out here this evening just talking?”
William rolled his eyes. “I’m not fucking here for therapy, Sondra. If therapy was what I wanted, that’s where I’d be right now. But, no, I’m here. So let’s just get to it, all right? Cut the shit, and don’t hold anything back today. I need this.
Time for a different approach. Sondra perched herself on the edge of her sofa. “Have you heard from Addison?”
William looked surprised. “No. Why do you ask?”
Sondra patted the sofa. “Mr. Hartman, please, sit.”
“What is this about, Sondra? I haven’t got time for any BS today,” William replied without budging.
“Have I ever bullshitted you, William? Now, look. You’re in my home, and it’s my understanding that you’re here for a session. So from this moment forward, I expect you to show me some goddamned respect or get out. Do we have an understanding?”
William ran his fingers through his jet-black hair, which was a little longer than he usually kept it. All signs pointed to the fact that William Hartman was falling apart. Most of the time men like William could function in the real world. Many of them were successful, powerful even. But under extreme stress and without proper care, they quickly unraveled, which was exactly what had been happening with William when he’d found Sondra and they’d begun working together.
William eyed the sofa and sat down. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Tell me what’s going on, William.” Sondra asked, studying his face.
“It’s just been a rough week. We’ve had issue upon issue, trying to close on a few deals.”
Sondra cocked her head to the side. “Is that all? Are you having flashbacks? Have the nightmares returned?”
William sighed. “Why are you asking all of this?”
“It’s my job. I need to know if what we’re doing in our sessions is working. Judging by the looks of you, it isn’t.” Sondra replied.
“Yeah. All of it. I’m not sleeping. I can’t concentrate. She’s all I think about, and I just don’t know what to fucking do about any of it. I thought if I just got her back to the office that I could win her back, but it’s not working. Sure, I could resort to my usual tactics, but you know what? With her, it’s different. I don’t want to hurt her. She asked for space, so I’ve given it to her, even though it’s killing me. She’s leaving him, and yet she still doesn’t want me.”
“What is it about her that’s different, William?”
