Robbery in Progress

Thirty-Three

The next day at work, Paul wouldn't talk to me. I wasn't mad at him and hadn't spoken to him since dinner the night before, so I didn't understand why he wasn't talking to me. I was just glad he talked to John and got him to open up to me last night.

"Paul?" He raised his head from his desk. "Are you okay? You aren't talking." I looked at Paul and could see the hurt in his eyes. Something was wrong. Paul was never upset like this. The only time I could remember him being so upset was when his mother died in a car accident right when I joined the police force.

"It's Julie."

"What about Julie? Did something happen?"

"We got in a fight last night."

"What?"

"I slept on the couch last night."

"You two never fight, Paul. What was it about?"

"Christina has a break from college next week and she and Julie have been wanting to take a trip...all of us together."

"Okay?"

"They want to go out on the lake for a couple of days."

"Paul, I don't understand."

"I told them no. They were so mad at me. I wouldn't listen to their side and reasons for going. I just didn't want to hear it. I put my foot down."

"Why? That's a great opportunity for you to spend some time with them. I know work keeps you away from them sometimes. It would be a nice, little trip for you all." I could tell there was more to this than Paul was letting on by his facial expressions. Paul looked so sad and it was killing me seeing him struggle like this.

"I never told anyone this, but my dad was on a boat fishing on the lake and a storm came rolling in. He tried to make it back...but he didn't get there in time. The water was moving too much...he fell off the boat. That's how my mom and I lost him." I paused for a moment. Paul never kept secrets from me, but this was a big one. Paul looked so broken.

"Paul, why didn't you ever tell me this before?"

"It's a lot...you know?" I nodded. "I don't want to go anywhere near the water." A look of fright came across Paul's face.

"Because it scares you?" Paul nodded. "Are you afraid the same might happen to one of you?" Paul nodded again. "I don't think that's very likely to happen." I paused. "Does Julie know this?" Paul shook his head no.

"Like you've told me plenty of times before...it may be hard but you need to tell her. She deserves to know. She will understand, Paul." I paused for a moment. "You know she will understand. She loves you. You two are the best couple I know." I paused again. "I can be there when you tell her if you want me to be."

"I'll tell her."

"Do you want me to be there when you do?"

"No, it's okay. I can do it." I smiled at him softly and placed my hand on his arm, letting him know if he needed anything that I would be there. "Thank you, Jen." I nodded. Paul was always the person there for me, so it always means a lot when I can be there for him when he needs someone. "I'm going to stop by during my lunch and tell her. I don't want her to be mad anymore."

"Let me know how it goes." Paul nodded and left for his lunch break.

A/N: I hope you all like this chapter. Please remember to vote and comment! Share with others, too! :)