"He hugged me and it was really awkward," Adriana said to Bruce over a video call. "I asked him to leave and he did."
"I will.." Bruce said and paused. Adriana could hear he was waiting for pain to pass. "I will talk to him."
"Bruce are you okay?" Adriana asked.
"I'm great," he said. "I will call Eric today. He won't bother you again."
"Okay..." Adriana said. "I appreciate that."
He nodded once.
"I am sorry," Bruce apologized. "That he did that."
"Hey...he's your friend," Adriana said. "It wasn't your fault he did that though."
"It is my fault that I am not there," he said. "And that it's been almost two months."
"Bruce...it's not your fault," she said. "The length of time therapy and recovery takes isn't-"
"My therapist wants me to talk about you...talk about our marriage," he said.
"Then you should," she said.
"That is easier said than done," he said. "We have...many secrets, to say the least."
"Sweetheart," Adriana said, the word of endearment slipping out due to habit. She watched the look in his eyes change, he became more receptive.
"Yes?" he asked.
"You can...find a way to talk about us," she said. "If that's what your therapist thinks you need...without exposing everything. I'm sure she just wants to know what you feel. What you feel shouldn't...be a secret. Especially of she thinks is something you need to talk about for your recovery."
"I understand," he said and nodded.
.
.
.
"Bruce," Eric said. "I get it. Won't happen again."
"I appreciate that," Bruce said after explaining to Eric that what he had done was inappropriate.
"We've gone out with each other's exes a few times before," Eric said. "Guess we've gotten too old for that now?"
"It has nothing to do with our age," Bruce said. "She is my wife. Yes...we are in the process of divorcing. But we are married. You crossed a line."
"Married.." Eric half laughed. "Yes..I know why you married her."
"Do you?" Bruce said, beginning to grow frustrated because of his physical pain, his separation from his son, the ending of his marriage and because his friend did not seem to be taking him seriously. "Do you really?"
"Come on man..." Eric said. "Hot face. Tight little body, nice rack-"
"I love her," Bruce said, hearing the pain in his own voice. It sounded like he had suddenly swallowed a frog.
Both men were quiet for a moment.
"Okay," Eric said finally. "I am sorry."
They were quiet again.
"I feel awful, man," Eric said. "Didn't know it was that serious."
"I married her," Bruce said.
Eric again went quiet.
"I suppose that's how you see me...how everyone sees me," Bruce said. "Maybe there's some truth in it. From before I met her. You can't fathom me having a serious relationship and feelings for a woman I never wanted to lose."
