Chapter Text
The man sat across from him. Eyes pensive, his grey hair pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, tied with a strip of leather. His fingers tapped in quick succession across his knee as he watched him, waiting for him to speak.
“Rick, we only have an hour. Half that time has already passed. Is there anything that you wish to share with me, or discuss today? Or will we just be sitting idly by?”
Rick rubbed his hand over the ankle he had slung on top of his knee, giving the man a half hearted shrug.
“Did you work on the things I asked you to work on since our last session?”
Rick averted his eyes, and the man nodded his head in disappointment. “I can only do so much, you know....”
“I’m sorry, Dr. G. Not too proud of myself these days.”
“Mm-hm. And why is that?” The doctor pulled his notepad into his lap and clicked his pen, ready to take notes.
Rick ran his fingers over his lips as if he could will the necessary words to come forth. “Because I haven’t been a good husband.”
“Can you explain further?”
Rick groaned.
“Don’t act like a petulant child, that gets you nowhere. Honest words here, Rick. Honest words.”
“I haven’t been a good husband, because I work too many hours trying to put away money for my son’s college fund, even though his education is already paid for. And my wife, she...“ Rick’s cheeks took on a flush. “She has no desire to be intimate with me.”
“Intimate in what way?”
“You really want me to discuss my sex life?”
Dr. Greene put down his notepad and paper, and leaning his elbows onto his knees, he made himself near eye level with Rick. “Rick… you wouldn’t be here if you were not serious about getting some help. And you can’t get help unless we discuss things. Now I’m not asking you to give me details that you might find in a romance novel, but there are many different forms and levels of intimacy. Throw me a bone here, so I can point you in the right direction. I am a busy man, I want to help you, but I retired from my position as a guidance counselor for a reason. I want to work with adults and attend to my hobbies, not hormonal emotional teenagers.”
Dr. Greene had been a guidance counselor at Rick’s high school, one that Rick had spent lots of time with, both during and after his years there as a student. Dr. Greene had retired several years ago, but given he was still a licensed therapist, he took on a few patients here and there just to keep his mind fresh. Rick had started coming around again after a recent slew of marital issues with Lori. They had gotten married right out of high school, had their first child just months after finishing college, and over the years with them both being busy with work and life, they had seemingly drifted apart.
The spark was gone, they had both on occasion tried to rekindle it, but it was often met with not tonight, dear or I have a headache or Shane needs my help or I have a conference out of town that weekend.
“Okay. So it’s been 4 months since we’ve had sex. I can’t tell you the last time she kissed me on the lips. We sleep in the same bed at night, but we don't touch. She claims she’s a light sleeper…”
“And have you tried instituting date night? To get reaquainted with one another?”
Rick shook his head, “She shot me down. I had a plan and everything, and she chastised me for not checking with her first. Said she already had a girl’s weekend planned, and would prefer something more mature than going to the movies.”
“Mmm-hm, and you didn’t think to offer to take her out to dinner? Something classier, that she felt was more… I don’t know, age appropriate?”
“What’s wrong with the movies?”
“In my estimation, nothing. But perhaps that’s just not her cup of tea. What about taking on a project together? Landscaping. Putting in a garden. Maybe repainting a room? Something the two of you can work on that requires time spent together.”
“Oh god… All I’ve been hearing about for months is her friend Jacqui, and how Jacqui’s got a new house. This amazing architect drew up the plans. It’s the home of her dreams. And why can’t we do something like that Rick? Why can’t we have nice things? And a nice home? And…” Rick’s voice turned up an octave taking on the shrill nature of Lori’s voice, with a heavy dose of added sarcasm.
“Stop right there. Why not humor her? Go see the architect?”
“You mean give in?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. This is something you can work on together. See what she wants. I’m a firm believer that happiness starts at home. If there’s something offputting about your place, maybe something as simple as adding a three season porch or adding on that 3 bay garage with an in-law apartment you’ve been talking about for years... It doesn’t have to be a grandiose expenditure, but maybe a little updating around the home would help lead her to a happier place and a warmer heart.”
Rick had referred to Lori on more than one occasion as the Ice Queen. He always felt guilty afterwards, but in the heat of discussion, it sometimes slipped. Thankfully never to her face. He sat back in his chair muddling over what Dr. Greene had said. Would it really hurt to just take her to this architect that she was so hot to trot to check out? It would take what, a couple hours? Tops? That seemed easy enough.
“Alright, alright. I’ll mention it to her at dinner tonight.”
“Good. The hour is up, and it’s time for you to scoot. I’ve got gran’babies to go take care of!” He was off his chair and at the door in a flash opening it for Rick and ushering him out.
“How is Maggie doing?”
“Oh, she’s tired. The twins are a rambunctious bunch and keep her on her toes. I pop by when I can to give her a break so she can shower, or cook, or whatever. And hey, I get a free meal and to visit with my family. It’s all good with me.”
Rick nodded in agreement, and smiled back. “So, same time then next week Doc?”
“It’s Hershel, we’re not in high school anymore. And yes. I expect you to have some news of the architectural variety for me next week.” He pulled the door shut, shook Rick’s hand, and was scuttled off to his car.
Rick chuckled at the sight of Hershel zipping off down the driveway eager to be with family. He wished he felt the same about his own. Their teenaged son, Carl, was a typical teenager who wanted nothing to do with his parents. And Lori was, Lori. Not pleased by much of anything he said or did of late. He slowly descended the steps making his way to the car, and drove home hoping that he wouldn’t be met with the all too common visceral attitude his wife had claimed.
“So, think you can get that architect’s phone number from Jacqui?” Rick asked, over dinner.
Lori’s fork stopped mid twist in her plate of pasta and meatballs. “You’re joking, right?” she scoffed.
“No, I’m serious. You’ve been going on about Jacqui’s house for months. This place hasn’t seen any updates in years. Plenty of equity to take out a loan for some changes…” His voice trailed off, and he quickly stuffed his mouth with a forkful of spaghetti.
Lori squinted at Rick, as if she didn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. “What changed? You’ve dismissed it every time I’ve brought it up.”
“Just thought it’s been awhile since we done anything together. It’s a bit more ‘grown up’ than a night at the movies.”
Lori resumed loading the pasta to her fork, her eyebrows pulled into a deep frown.
“I guess I can get the number from Jacqui, if you’re really serious….”
“I am. We can go Friday afternoon if they have an opening, I’ll get out of work early.”
A shy smile spread across Lori’s lips, and she nodded looking quite pleased. “Okay. Sounds great!”