In Your Dreams

23.

Lexie called me shortly after I left the prison and invited me to Joe's with the group for a celebration of me returning to work the next day. I told her that it wasn't such a good idea to drink myself silly the night before returning but she wouldn't take no for an answer. I left Deacon a message to join us and went to the salon, I was craving a new look.

I was starting over and this was a new beginning of sorts. So why not refresh my appearance a little. My stylist Sophie took a few inches off but I loved it. My hair was so light and easy to deal with now. It would be nice when I worked those long hours again...the long hours that Deacon asked me not to work. I didn't know what to say. I mean, I want to work on my marriage but I'm a doctor more than anything, wife included. I wish that he would just understand that. He seemed a little bitter this morning so I hoped that by the time we saw each other at the bar his mood had lifted.

I walked in and he was the only one I recognized, I approached the bar and slid into the stool next to his as he sipped on his large beer.

"Hey." I smiled.

"Hey." He mumbled without glancing at me.

"So you got my message."

"Obviously." He muttered, I felt a sinking sensation in my chest. He was obviously upset over something.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine."

"Right." I attempted another smile "But is something wrong."

Silence.

"Ok." I nodded and dropped it for the moment "I got my hair done today."

"Great." He said unenthusiastically

"What do you think?"

He glanced over for a second and made a silent scoff. "It's short."

"It's not short." I giggled "It's short-er."

"Whatever." He sighed and looked over his shoulder "I'm going to go say hi to Tim from work."

I nodded as a knot formed in my throat "Ok."

I didn't understand his attitude or where it was coming from. And why he came if he was just going to pout all the time. It was his damn idea to give our marriage a second chance but ever since I said I was going back to work he's had his moody moments. And if he's so unhappy with who I am why did he want to try again...Jesus Christ I'd rather be alone if this was going to continue....I felt a body slide into the stool on the other side of me and looked over to see a smiling pair of blue eyes grinning at me.

"Hello friend."

"Hi." I couldn't stop myself from giggling "You're here too?"

"Yeah." He smiled "They sent me to tell you that they were running behind."

"That was nice of them."

"You cut your hair." He stated with a smile, his eyes glistened as they looked me over.

"Yeah," I smiled "Thanks for noticing."

"It looks nice, very you."

"It's lighter." I said "I needed a little lightness in my life." He nodded softly as if he agreed.

"So Deacon is here." He made the observation.

"Yeah." I sighed with obvious irritation in my eyes.

"Is something wrong?" He asked with honest concern.

"No...nothing." I lied "I just..I don't want to talk about it."