A Change of Heart Read Online Free Page B

anything," asked R.J.
    "Let's go back to the rocker."   Bigley sat in his own rocker, placidly going back and forth as Annabeth and R.J. returned to the double rocker.   "You're doing an excellent job rocking together.   Some couples can't get the hang of it so quickly.   I think that it won't take more than two or three sessions a week to get you back on track.   We'll probably be able to add verbal sharing to the rocking in a few weeks.   That will be really exciting and very insightful.   Of course if you have the rocker and the bike at home, you'll progress more quickly."   Bigley handed Annabeth a flyer with photos of rockers, tandem bikes, surreys, and other gadgets.   "Take some time to look this over before your next visit.   I can explain anything you don't understand.   The canoe is a great tool here in this area, but of course you're not ready for that yet.   But don't worry, before you know it you will be."
    R.J. rose and Annabeth followed him.
    "How are you feeling now," asked Bigley, scratching under the waistband of his slacks.
    "I'm feelin' like I'm not off my rocker any more, doc.   You cured me and my wife too.   See ya!"
    When they were safely out the door Annabeth dissolved in laughter until R.J.'s scowl forced her to stop.
    "And what did that bullshit cost me?"
    "I'm sorry hon, I didn't know.   We could try another therapist.   Someone with maybe a couch."   She smiled again.
    "I can tell you what a real therapist would say to you.   He'd say 'You're not listening to your husband.   Bad communication,' that's what he'd say."
    "Oh hon.   I just want to try everything possible to fix things.   I don't want to lose you."
    "So give me some respect and give me what I need, what I asked for.   Stop all this crap and just leave me alone, okay?"   R.J. strode away, as fast as he could, leaving her to drive home alone and then to pace the floor of her bedroom.
    She tried to sew, but it was impossible to concentrate.    Annabeth thought over and over about the events with R.J..   What was he trying to do, to revisit, going back to their old apartment like that? What was he searching for?   Was there something from the early days of their marriage that he yearned for, something that was now missing?   If only she could figure this out, she could fix everything, get things back to normal. The phone rang then, startling her.
    "He's a bastard."
    "Laurel!"
    "He is."
    "Sally called me this morning.   Are you okay?"
    "It's just temporary hon, don't worry."
    "Come here and stay with me for a while.   Let the bastard wonder where you are."
      "Stop it.   How's New Orleans and your job?"
    "Everything is great here, Mom.   That bastard.   Doesn't surprise me one bit.   Everything I ever wanted I had to fight him for, fight against everything he ever said, fight to be me."
    "I wish you and your dad got along better.   He means well, really.   Oops, another call, wait, can you?"
    "I'll call you in a day or two."
    "All right, sweetie, don't think so badly of your dad.   He loves you, you know that.   He's just having a mid-life crisis."
    "All my life he's been having some sort of crisis.   Bye Mom."
    Annabeth clicked the phone and heard Maggie's voice, "Hi.   Meet me at Ernie's at twelve-thirty, okay?   My treat."
    When, less than two hours later, Annabeth sat facing Maggie across one of the eight small tables in Ernie's Seafood and Gumbo Shop, the first thing she heard was "I can't believe you didn't call me right away!   So you found out about that tramp and you kicked his sorry ass out of the house?"
    Before Annabeth fully realized what Maggie had said, their waitress came over.   The menu was limited, and in fact, they didn't need to review it.   Ernie's was essentially a fish market, and on the side they sold fried fish, bowls of gumbo, and a salad made primarily of iceberg lettuce and topped with shrimp, crabmeat, and cherry tomatoes.   There were French fries available as well