Doors are always open

Third door. Chapter six. Sleeping Beauty.

Outside the window, the noise of a car driving away was heard, and Rita involuntarily sighed, lowered her head.

- It will hurt for a long time, - Natalie said softly. - Charming, cheerful guy, not like others, impudent, free - it is not difficult to fall in love with such a person. And when he leaves - a scorched desert remains in the soul. And the loan that will have to be paid for him. The wound will take a long time to heal but it will never heal completely. Isn't it, Alice?

- What?! - Alice shuddered and stared at the psychologist in shock.

- I saw how you looked at him, even before the start of the training. This is how look at people whom they have not seen for a long time. And I saw him glancing at you, as if trying to remember. The conclusion is obvious - you knew each other a few years ago. And if you recognized him immediately, then he did not. So I thought you were one of his many victims. I'm right?

- Yes. You're right. We met over ten years ago and he used me the same way.

- What happened next? After he left you?

Alice shrugged.

- Nothing.

- You got married. How long has it been since breaking up with Kevin and before your wedding?

- About half a year, maybe a little more.

- Was it so unbearably painful that you rushed headlong into a new relationship? Married the first more or less decent person you came across?

Alice bit her lip, turned away, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

- And now tell, finally, the truth, what you and your husband have?

- We don't talk, we don't communicate. For several years now. We exchange routine phrases, no more.

- Why aren't you talking to him?

- I don't know... I don't want to... And he almost never answers if I say something. We do almost nothing together. Once a week we go to the store for groceries. In the rest - everyone lives their own life.

- Does he have a mistress?

- Not.

- Do you have a lover?

- Not.

- What kind of people are you both - Natalie sighed, - at least you'd have lovers or something.

Alice laughed.

- Is that your advice? Can I take it for a guide to action?

- Look, she was delighted, - Natalie grumbled, - even eyes sparkled. No dear, a lover will not help you. You, Alice, do not want to create a close relationship with a man - warm, emotionally filled. You live in a crystal castle that you have built around you. The reason for this may be the trauma you received in your relationship with Kevin, or there may be problems in the relationship of your parents, because everything was not good there either?

Alice nodded thoughtfully.

- They got a hard divorce.

- I said at the very beginning that today we will not analyze your childhood traumas received in parental families, we do not have time for this. This is useful for long-term therapy, maybe, but now it doesn't make sense. It doesn't matter what exactly is causing your fear, Alice, the result is the same - it makes you avoid emotional closeness. You are physically healthy, but psychologically you are, in fact, a severely disabled person, or, as they say now, a person with disabilities.

- Thank you, I am pleased - said Alice.

- Although it is imperceptible to others, - Natalie continued, not responding to sarcasm. - They see a pretty young woman with pleasant manners, who seems to be doing well. Good job, good husband, child, prosperity, quiet, calm life.