“Hi, I’m Doctor Hebert. Tracy has shared some things I need to get clarification on. I appreciate you coming in and helping me understand,”
I sat down and waited. Doctor Hebert said nothing for a full minute then smiled.
“I see Tracy was right, you are self-confident. I’m going to ask you some personal questions, and hope you take them in the spirit in which they’re asked. We need to keep in the forefront that Tracy is your main concern.”
I nodded and she continued.
“Are you and Tracy sexually active?”
“Not since we got back together,” I answered.
“Are you sexually active with other partners?”
This was going to get interesting.
“Yes, Tracy and I have talked about this and we decided we wanted a more open relationship for now. We agreed that communication was critical, and we both have to agree if there are going to be outside partners for either of us. I have relationships with three other close friends. These are what I would describe as ‘friends with benefits.’ We get together because there’s closeness and trust that we can’t find in a casual hookup.”
“I see,” she said as she took notes. “How would you describe your relationship with Tracy?”
“The short of it is that I love her. She’s a special person and I’m lucky to be with her. We make each other better. When we’re together, we make a great team. Beyond that, I find that I like her family and I know my family loves her. On the intimate side, she pushes all of my buttons and then some.”
Then Doctor Hebert hit me with the big one.
“Do you trust her?”
“Boy, you get to the heart of the matter. That was the reason we broke up the first time. It was the main reason I didn’t try to win her back. When I was able to get some time and distance from our breakup, I came to realize I missed her dearly. The good outweighed the bad significantly.
“Tracy helps keep me organized and on track. Right after the breakup, I wanted nothing to do with her, but she convinced me to allow her back. Over time, it became clear she still had my best interests at heart, and I still had feelings for her. We became friends again. I made a conscious decision to trust her again. I know if I put limitations on that trust, I’d always be looking for breaches of our bond together. If I did that, I’d find some, and doubt would set in. We’d be doomed as a couple. So, I chose to simply trust Tracy and leave it at that.”
“Thank you for coming in. I need to talk to Tracy for a few minutes.”
I got up and went back to the waiting room. I waited another 45 minutes, and finally, she came out. She’d been crying. I stood up in concern, and she ran to me and gave me a hug.
“Are you all right?”
She gave me a tight smile.
“Not here; let me take you to dinner, and we’ll talk.”
To say a million things were churning in my mind would have been an understatement. No guy wants to hear a phrase with ‘talk’ and ‘later’ in it. Somehow, you’ve messed up big time. We went to the local diner close to my house and found a quiet booth in the back. We sat quietly and I felt myself getting tenser. I had decided she was breaking up with me.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Hell no, here it comes. She wouldn’t look me in the eye. The waitress chose that moment to take our order.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having.”
I ordered.
“I’ll have a cup of tomato soup, a grilled cheese with tomato on it, and a salad with ranch dressing on the side.”
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Tracy, you can tell me anything. Just tell me; this is killing me.”
She took a moment to calm herself.
“After hearing you describe us as a couple, I understood why I messed up before. Doctor Hebert feels I had a breakthrough today. What it uncovered is I have a lot of work to do before I can commit completely to you. I’ll understand if you decide you don’t want to go out with me while I’m fixing me. The main thing is we can’t have sex until I do.”
I felt a sense of relief. She hadn’t broken up with me.
“I didn’t get back with you just for the sex. Even though you’re very special in that department, I got back together with you because of the way I feel when I’m with you. I guess I’m asking if we’re still together.”
She half cried and half laughed.
“Doctor Hebert said you wouldn’t dump me. Of course we’re still together. That is until you don’t want me anymore.”
I felt relief and joy. Tracy and I just felt right together. We were both in much better moods through dinner. She took me home and dropped me off.
I CAME INTO THE MAIN house looking for Mom to find out how her doctor’s appointment went. I found everyone in the living room. Mom smiled when she saw me.
“The lost son comes home. I hear you did a good job today.”
Greg got up and handed me $30.
“Gina booked three more sessions and requested you specifically.”
I handed Greg back the money.
“Don’t start paying me until you get all your up-front costs paid for.”
Greg looked stunned, and Angie got up and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“That’s sweet of you. We appreciate your help more than you know. I talked to Greg and we agreed to do that little favor you asked for.”
I glanced at Greg and he smiled. We all sat down.
“So how did the doctor’s appointment go?” I asked my mom.
“We don’t know what’s going on. I took a bunch of tests and I have to go back tomorrow and do more blood work after I’ve fasted. They set up a follow-up appointment for Monday to go over the findings,” Mom said. “I’m glad we’re going to Utah this weekend. It’ll help keep my mind off of this.”
“So, are you worried?”
“No, the doctor just wants to rule some things out.”
I looked at Dad and he gave me a reassuring smile. I didn’t want to push it, so I changed the subject.
“I went to Tracy’s therapy session. She had a breakthrough today, which is great. The downside is we aren’t having sex until she works through some issues.”
No one seemed to have any sympathy for me. Greg pointed out he would give up sex to kiss Adrienne. I told him I might be able to arrange that, and Angie told me if I did, I was taking up the slack. Mom kicked me out for being a troublemaker.
I CALLED PEGGY TO SEE if she’d go running with me in the morning. I needed to get back into the habit to keep in shape. Plus, I promised the Ford people I would follow a workout routine. She agreed, so that part of my training was covered.
I spent the evening catching up with my friends. Finally, after I’d talked to everyone, it was time to make the call I was dreading: I called Jennie Wesleyan.
“This is Jennie.”
“It’s David.”
“What did you do to Mark?” Jennie asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“He has to move back to California. Did you talk to Teddy about him?”
“Jennie, did you ever think that Mark might have gotten himself sent home?”
“Yeah, Mother told me he lied to Teddy. I just wanted to be sure you hadn’t caused it,” Jennie said.
“No, I wouldn’t want to come between you and Mark,” I said, while biting my tongue.
“Thanks. Carol was right; you’re a nice guy. What did you call about anyway?”
“I was thinking you might need a date for the Christmas Dance,” I said.
“Actually, David, that’s very sweet. I’d like that.”
Jennie sighed.
“I’m sorry for being a bitch. You’ve been nothing but a friend to me. I knew you didn’t do anything to Mark. Well, you did have a little fun at his expense, but even he said he deserved that. He even said you were pretty funny. I need you as a friend, David. I would love to go to the dance with you.”