"Arthur, honey. We need to have a talk," Veronica said, sitting across from her husband at the breakfast table.
"What?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"I want you to see Dr. Pons again."
"I don't need a psychiatrist."
"Yes, you do. Maybe we both do." She paused to take a breath. "I know how hard it is for you to lose your company and that you can't do as much as you used to. I have been trying so hard to be patient and supportive of you, but I can't help you unless you at least try to meet me halfway."
"I don't need any help, I'm fine. There's nothing to be done."
"We aren't fine. It's been impossible to live here lately. Have you noticed how strained it's been around here? I know you aren't happy about the way things are, but you have to find a way to learn to accept that things have changed and find a way to live with it, otherwise, we're all going to be miserable."
Arthur sat stubbornly silent, while his wife waited for him to respond. He looked up, glad for a distraction, when Eileen walked into the room.
As she walked past them towards the sink, she stared at the floor, seeming to be in a world of her own. She poured herself a glass of water and walked out of the room again without acknowledging Arthur or Veronica.
"Well?" Veronica asked quietly as soon as Eileen was out of the room.
Arthur sighed and looked away. He had been too wrapped up in his own misery to think about how he was affecting his family. But the idea that he was making them miserable only made him feel worse about his situation.
"Please, Arthur, just give it a try. I don't know what else to do."
"Fine, make the appointment and I'll go."
Lucy parked her car in front of the country club and started to walk towards the building. When she reached the steps she stopped with one hand on the railing and looked behind her. She could have sworn someone was there, watching her, but there was no one in sight. She shrugged off the feeling as just her imagination and walked up the steps to the front door.
When she walked into the entryway, her footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The building always seemed so huge and empty when no one was there. She liked it much better when the lights were on and the place was filled with people.
"Mrs. Sexton."
Lucy jumped. "Oh, Mr. Jordan, you startled me."
"I'm sorry, I realize I'm a bit early," he said. "I have all of my information on the program schedule in the dining room. Perhaps we can talk in there."
"Why don't we go upstairs," Lucy suggested. "There's a nice meeting room that's more cozy." When Justin raised an eyebrow, Lucy was quickly to clarify, "It's not as hollow and echoing. I think it will be a more comfortable place to work."
Justin nodded. "I'll collect my papers and meet you there."
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