L.O.v.E Therapy
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 3
When Linda arrived at the inn, Laura took one look at her face and knew something was wrong. Then she noticed the suitcase and wordlessly led her to one of the empty rooms. No words were exchanged, just a long hug, and that was enough to let Linda know her friends had seen the implosion of her marriage coming a mile away.
Linda didn’t know whether to be grateful or offended.
She went to work to the mall the next day just to fight the sound of Dennis’s voice shouting her name, which continued to echo in her head.
Laura gave her friend space for a couple of days, but finally, she asked her.
“How are you doing?”
Again, she thought of Dennis and how panicked he’d looked when she started to pack.
“I don’t feel great. I probably won’t be for a long time, but ... leaving was the right thing to do. You know that man, he’s a frickin’ closed book. Who the hell knows what’s going on in that head of his?” We don’t speak to each other anymore. There is no affection...”
Laura shook her head slowly.
“We used to talk constantly. Where we would travel ... The house we will buy ... How many children we will have...” She swallowed hard.
“When did it start?”
“Two years ago, right after he quit working at the oil rig. I noticed right away how quiet he’d become. Dennis was never the chatty type, but he was loving and affectionate. Now it’s like living with a zombie who fucks me once a week.”
“I’m so sorry.” Laura slipped off her stool and went to the wine fridge beneath the counter, selected a bottle of white, uncorked it, poured two glasses, and handed one to Linda.
Linda took a long gulp of wine and said, “Thanks again for letting me crash here until I figure out my next move.”
“Stay as long as you want,” Laura’s finger moved around the glass. “Mary, Paul’s wife, called today while you were at work. She asked me about you. Apparently, Dennis has taken some days off. Word is getting around.”
Linda let out a long sigh, “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
There was a knock on the inn’s door. Laura stood up, opened it, and found Dennis looking at her.
“Uh, hey, Dennis. What brings you here?”
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