A Change of Heart Read Online Free Page A

elbows resting on her knees, head cradled in her hands, and she wept.
     

 
     
    2
     
    "So what's the problem at the bank?"   R.J. sounded irritated and impatient.
    "There's no problem at the bank--this is just where the office is."   Annabeth held her breath, hoping her plan would work.   "It's in this building, right here.   Come on."   She walked in the building, hoping he'd follow her and was relieved when he did.
    "First thing in the morning you call me to meet you here at the bank, so I think there's some money problem."
    Annabeth reached for the door, hoping R.J. wouldn't balk when he noticed the gold lettering, Bruce Bigley, Family Counseling.
    "What the fuck?" asked R.J.
    "I just wanted to try talking to someone professional.   It won't hurt either of us to have some help."
    "Are you nuts?   Totally fucking nuts?"
    "I don't know anything any more, hon, but I do know this.   I know we were happy for a long time, so it seems to me it's worth it to give this a shot."
    "This is bullshit, total bullshit and you know it."
    "So are you so sure you're right?   Absolutely positive?   Do you know for sure that there's nothing left, that everything we had should be thrown away?   You have to have some doubts.   Why not just give it a try?   I booked the appointment and if we don't go, we'll still have to pay…."
    "Fifteen minutes."
    Dr. Bigley ushered them into an office furnished with several rocking chairs, and one settee-sized double rocker, which was clearly where they were supposed to sit.   He was a small man, quite fat, with many chins and he had a stubbly orange beard that didn't hide the bad skin underneath.   His eyes were rather large and bulging behind his unattractive glasses.   "I'm not one of those traditional therapists.   We know what the story is here--you've left your wife and she's upset over it.   Clearly you still care, or you wouldn't be here, so there's no need for me to turn to each of you and ask how you feel."   Bigley scratched one of his chins.   "So just go with me on this.   R.J., you start rocking while Annabeth, you sit still.
    "Gimme a break," said R.J., setting the rocker in motion.
    "Now you rock, Annabeth."
    As she rocked in the opposite direction from R.J., they stopped moving.
    Bigley twitched convulsively, dug inside his collar at his neck, then said, "See, this is where you are now, rocking in opposite directions.   Now I want you to rock together.
    Annabeth and R.J. glanced at each other then rocked in unison.
    "That's better, isn't it?   You might want to get one of these for home and practice in it.
    "Oh, yeah," said R.J.
    Bigley sucked loudly on his cheek and said, "Ok, stand up, back to back.   Now press against each other, lean back.   Quick--step to the left.   What do you notice?   As Annabeth moved to her left and R.J. to his, Bigley crowed excitedly, "You're not back to back any more are you?   Even though you both moved in the same direction."
    "I got no time for this," said R.J.   "Her left isn't my left."
    "Exactly!   See how even though you can be going in the same direction, you're still not going in the same direction?" asked Bigley, blowing his nose loudly on a tissue.   "Now, try this."   They followed him to an alcove in the corner of the office and watched as he removed a cover from what turned out to be a bicycle for two which had been propped up on a stand so it could be pedaled without moving forward.   "Okay now R.J., I want you to climb on the front seat, while Annabeth you climb on the back."
    After they were settled, Bigley said, "Excellent.   Now--R.J., you start pedaling and Annabeth you sit still.   What do you notice?"
    "The wheels are movin' but we goin' nowhere," said R.J. sarcastically.
    "Keep pedaling, R.J., and Annabeth you pedal--now!   The wheels go a lot faster when you pedal together, don't they?   This is another excellent tool you might want to have at home."
    "What does any of this have to do with