Fix it

Wound up

"Are you sure you're not going inside with me?"

"I am, she wanted to have a one on one session with you this time." Stevie replied to Lindsey, before he got out of the car.

"And what are you going to do here by yourself?"

"Don't you worry about me, Linds. It's just an hour." She smiled reassuringly. "Don't these smartphones have games? I could play one." He was biting hard on the inside of his cheek not to burst out laughing. "Oh fuck you, just go already."

He leaned over and gave her a chaste kiss. "Love you."

"You too." 

Lindsey took big strides towards the building, where their therapist's office was. She was already free when he came in, which allowed them to start early. 

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Oh yeah, it was just that one time. Maybe I just needed rest, I'm okay now." He was feeling rather awkward, the way she was looking at him was making him uncomfortable. Now he really wished Stevie had come along.

"Your wife and I had quite a session last week."

"Oh? Am I allowed to ask?"

"Well, I wanted to talk about the same thing as I did with her, so... Do you know what's Stephanie's biggest regret is?"

"Not having kids." Lindsey didn't even need to think about it.

"That is right and what about you?"

"I mean... sure I'd love for someone to call me Dad, but it is what it is. It was hard at one point, probably when we lost our baby in 1997, then I kind of realized that's never going to happen for us. But I like not to dwell on it, we have each other."

"She said that when you get into it or used to, one would always get blamed. It's not you I suppose?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "I have a temper, I tend to lash out. Yes, I have said that it's her fault we don't have children, but I would instantly take it back. Some young couples can't have kids, age is not the most vital factor."

"Have you ever let yourself wonder still, that maybe if your wife had been, say, ten, fifteen years younger, at the time, maybe you would have someone calling you Dad now?"

"Listen, I'm just as guilty as Stevie is. We had a billion chances, when we were younger, we blew them, all of them and now I can't just blame her for it. Not everyone is meant to be a parent."

Dr. Phyllis sensed his agitation. "Okay, let's move on to a different subject. When you started seeing me, your wife was quite unhappy about your sex life. Has it changed? Got better?"

Lindsey could very rarely be open, truly express the things he held inside, and now he had to discuss his bedroom activities? With a complete stranger? "In fact, that problem has been solved."

"Oh? Well, that's good to hear. When was the last time you two had sex?"

He shifted in his seat, faking a cough. "Um... is that knowledge relative somehow?"

"Absolutely. I'm here to help you on everything."

"This morning."

"And how often are you engaging in-"

"I don't feel comfortable talking about this, I'm sorry."

"Why? Are you ashamed of something?"

"What, no! Why would I be?"

"You tell me, Lindsey."

"I don't know what you're talking about. My wife's hot and sex between us has always been fantastic."

"Maybe I'm not talking about your wife, yes, you're right. I can definitely say she's a beautiful, attractive woman. What I'm trying to ask is... you seem kind of jumpy about this part of your marriage and we know that she's been cheating on you. It makes me think you don't want to talk about it, because you're somewhat embarrassed and insecure about your... talents in the bedroom."

"Oh my God. You know, when Stevie came home from the last appointment, she was really pissed off, going off about you and I asked her to calm down, saying that you didn't want to offend or anything, but seriously, what gives you the right to talk to me that way? You've known me for... for over a month, writing things on that little paper pad of yours, and all of a sudden you're an expert on me and my wife, whom I've known for fifty years. It sucks that I failed her and she went behind my back to spend her time fucking Don Henley, but it doesn't mean that I'm shit in bed. Jesus Christ, you fucking shrinks!"

And with that Lindsey upped and left, slamming the door on his way out, leaving the doctor well and truly shocked. He marched outside and to his car, Stevie clearly knowing already that something went bad.

"Linds? Are you okay? What happened in there?"

"She's a fucking bitch that's what!"

Stevie checked her watch, it had only been half an hour he was gone. "Calm down, honey." She took his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. 

"We're not going back in there."

"Yeah, I've gathered that much. What did she say to get you so wound up?"

"At first, we talked about not having children. She asked me if I ever thought about things like if my wife had been younger, I would be a Dad now. I didn't like it, so she changed the topic to our sex life. You know me and you know I'm not the sort of guy to discuss those things and then out of nowhere she says, maybe that is why, because I'm horrible in bed? Because you had that affair and all... and I said, well sorry that I neglected you, so you had to fuck Don Henley. Then I stormed out."

"Wait..." Stevie backed off, letting go of his hand. "Did you actually mention Don's name?"

"Yeah."

"What the fuck, Lindsey?!"

"Sure you have done that before."

"No! Never once did I say that the man I was sleeping with was DON HENLEY. Now we both left on bad terms and she knows quite a bit about us and now she also knows with whom I've had that freaking affair! FUCK."

"Shit... I didn't think. Baby, I'm sorry. I'm sure she didn't even register it."

"I really doubt it." Stevie sighed, cocking her head back. "You screwed up badly. He's married and he has children, Lindsey..."

"I honestly don't think she would seek... revenge, because she lost a couple."

"I'm going to pray she doesn't."

"Forgive me." Lindsey asked, reaching for her hand again, but she just turned to look out the window.

"Just take me home."

He exhaled deeply, turning the engine on, great, we managed a month without hating each other. Way to fucking go, Buckingham...