Dana saw the emotional fatigue all over him and smelled the alcohol on his breath. “It may not mean much, but I know you are innocent of all of that nonsense they are spewing on the news. And another thing I’m sure of, you and Nicole will weather this storm too.”
His smile was a defeated one. “I hope you’re right, but I’m not so sure on either count. Come on in.” Dana followed him into the living room. Davis walked over to the bar and poured himself another drink. “Care to join me?”
“Umm . . . maybe later.” She raised an eyebrow as if she were chastising one of her students. “Are you sure you need another one of those?”
“I’m absolutely positive that I don’t. But I could surely use it. As a matter of fact, I think I deserve it.” Davis allowed the bottle to hover over his glass but didn’t pour it. Instead, he capped the bottle and put it back. He picked up a water bottle instead. “How about one of these?”
Dana smiled. “That would be great.”
He ambled over to where she took a seat and handed it to her. “I hate to disappoint you, but Nicole still isn’t feeling very well. That is why she’s not picking up her phone. She’s been in bed the past few days.”
Dana frowned. “Really?”
Davis sighed. “Yeah. She won’t admit it, but this situation is stressing her out.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I can’t seem to say or do a damn thing right when it comes to her.”
“Do you want my professional opinion or that of a good friend?”
Davis laughed. “That’s right. Before you went all “save the children,” you were a psychiatrist. I’m not really sure if I want to be psychoanalyzed. But I’m desperate. Give me both opinions.”
“First, I’ll say that Nicole loves you more than she loves herself.”
“Great. You’re already setting this up, and it sounds like your assessment is going to be a boatload of fun.”
“I’m just going to be honest. You can be a bit cavemanish.” Davis started to protest, but Dana put her hands up to stop him. “No, no . . . that wasn’t an opinion that was a statement of fact. So, don’t argue. With that being said, I understand and so does Nicole the motivation behind it. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are at unbelievable personal sacrifice, and some of your success stems directly from great personal pain. Nicole knows this, but she also feels as if your need to protect her is from those very same scars from your past. She thinks it keeps her from being a full partner in this relationship.”
Davis yelled, “What the hell am I supposed to do? How many times do I have to say this? I love my wife. It’s my job to protect her!”
“Let me ask you a question. How long have you known about this situation and when did you tell Nicole?”
The anger in his blood left his body. “Seven months.”
“And when did you tell Nicole?”
Seconds ticked by before he answered. “Three days ago.” Frustrated, he ran his hands through already mussed his hair. “I just didn’t want her to worry.”
“But what about you? Just like I’m sure you want to help and support her, Nicole wants to do the same for you. Imagine how you would feel if the tables were turned. And, knowing Nicole the way I do, she probably hates that you have carried this burden all alone.” Dana was sure this situation probably had contributed to all the late nights, missed dinners, and Davis being preoccupied.
“I hadn’t really thought about that.”
“Don’t you think the weight would have been a little less heavy if you didn’t have to shoulder it alone?”
“Let’s say you’re right, and I’m not, but what if you are? I’ve been this way for so long. Nicole knows that I had to take care of my parents before they died and what happened to my sister. It’s all I know how to do. I take care of people. And, lately, if I ask Nicole anything, even something as simple as if she would like a glass of water, she’ll take my head off. Her mood swings are insane. I understand she is stressed, but I’m the one facing prison time.” The guilt kicked in again. “Look, I know I’m the reason she’s sick, that’s why I’m working so hard to fix this.”
Dana frowned slightly. “Sick? You mentioned that. What’s wrong with her?”
“Yeah, yesterday was bad but not as bad as the day before. She could barely keep her eyes open when the lawyers were here. I’m at my wit's end. She’s stubborn as hell and won’t let me call a doctor. I have no fuckin’ idea what to do!”
“Hmm . . . you two seem to have that in common.” Dana’s eyebrows knitted together. “Did you say she’s having mood swings and was nodding off during your meeting?”
“I wouldn’t say nodding off, but she was out of it.”
“God, things are worse than I thought.”
His eyes focused in on her like a laser. “What do you mean worse than you thought?”
Dana wrung her hands together. “Look, I wanted to talk to you but didn’t want to betray Nicole’s trust. I saw something while we were out for lunch the other day that gave me pause, and now you’re telling me that she wasn’t really coherent the other day. I have to say, I’m worried.”
Davis was more than a little impatient. “Worried?
