Real.Doc - Part 2 - Joe (English Version)

Joe's jealousy

The fire crackled softly in the night, casting long shadows across the ground as Joe and I settled in by the pit. We had agreed to talk through everything that had happened. There was no escaping the conversation. Too much had gone unsaid.

I took a deep breath, breaking the silence first. "Joe, I asked you here because something about what happened hasn't been sitting right with me. The fact that you were convinced I was going to kill you—twice."

"Yeah," he mumbled, barely meeting my eyes.

"So, let me clarify a few things. First, by the time Amy actually showed up, I didn't care much about her anymore. I can't tell you exactly why, but I just didn't. Her being here didn't bother me, and honestly, I'm not angry about that—not anymore, anyway. After our conversation right here by the fire, I understood your reasons."

I watched him carefully as I continued. "So, on both occasions, yes, I was angry at first, but I got over it quickly. And I promise you, I have no intention of making you leave or hurting you anytime soon. All you need to remember is that not long ago, I had a horrible experience with Cesar, and even then, the thought of killing him never crossed my mind. The only time something like that ever happened was that one time... the one you know about, and I still regret it."

"And it was self-defense," Joe whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "I don't know why I've been so paranoid. I've developed this irrational fear that you're going to end me soon. I just can't shake it."

I leaned forward. "Do you think maybe you feel guilty? That somehow, deep down, you believe you deserve it?"

He sighed. "I guess."

"Okay, so let's be honest about it. You were in pain back then, and you found a way to cope. Fine. You were a jerk, but I get it now. I agree to forgive and forget the whole thing. But bringing her back? That was just an awful idea. For that, I think you're an asshole. I know you were trying to check something or confirm some suspicion, but it was still an asshole move."

Joe rubbed his face, clearly ashamed. "That wasn't one of my brightest ideas."

"It's done now," I said, shrugging. "I won't comment on how it ended. That's not for me to judge."

"There's nothing I can say to defend myself," Joe muttered. "I'm a monster. I've been trying to trace back to when it all started."

"It doesn't matter," I said firmly. "Not to me."

Joe finally looked up at me, his eyes filled with confusion. "I don't see how you can still feel anything good toward me. I cheated on you. I left you. I called you every name in the book and tried my best to hurt you. I brought the past back to haunt you, and I even kissed it. And now... this..."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, since then, we haven't been able to sleep together. So that's something."

He nodded. "Right."

"What you described is just a fraction of what I think you feel. It's more than not mourning Rachel."

"I don't think so."

"Okay, maybe not. But aside from not being mad at me for not mourning her, I think you're upset I didn't care about how hurt you were. And for that, I'm sorry."

Joe sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging. "It felt like I was falling with nothing to grab onto. Amy held me for as long as she could, but when she fell, so did I."

I searched his face for a moment, then asked, "And you think that if I had wanted, I could've reached out and pulled you back?"

"Yes."