Gabriel (Book 1)

Baby, Baby, No!

December 1st, 2014 

We've been home for about a month now and I wonder what has happened to my marriage. It could just be me being paranoid but it seems like Johanna is working extra just so she won't be around me. It also seems like she wants to do everything but be alone with me. And when we finally are alone at night, she turns her back on me and rejects me. We haven't kissed in a month, I haven't held her, and (I hope this doesn't sound to materialistic) we haven't had sex this entire time. 

I wonder if there is something wrong with her, and why won't she trust me enough to tell me? 

Also, I hope I don't seem too image-obsessed but, Johanna hasn't gotten dressed up for me. Of course I know she doesn't always dress in her fancy clothes but hell, her pajamas used to have frogs before we got married! And lately all she's worn are dark sweatshirts and sweatpants. Oh, my love, what has you so stressed? What worries you so much that you can't share your worries with me? What has dared taken you out of the life and light which are so much a part of you? 

"Hey, Gabriel? Yoo-hoo! Anyone in there?!" 

I snap back into reality and am greeted by Rhoan waving his hands in front of my face. 

"Yeah, I'm here," I reply quietly while picking up my fork and moving my salad around.  

"Good, so like I was saying..." 

Rhoan and I had gone out to get some dinner so he could eat, normally I wouldn't do this sort of human thing but Johanna is being odd and won't let me in. This leaves me with Rhoan, but it just isn't the same. I thought it could be, at least until Jo is back to normal, but it can't be. I can't hold Rhoan's hand, kiss his cheek, flirt with him...well, I could but it would be extremely weird! 

"So what do you think?" He asks while shoving his burger into his mouth. 

"I think I would like some coffee," I signal to the waitress and a few seconds later she is bringing a cup over and pouring some. 

"Oooh, me too," he says with his mouth full as he flips over a spare cup on the table. 

I grimace as he eats more of his burger and washes it down with steaming hot coffee. 

As he opens his mouth, I continue, "So Johanna and I are having some problems. She won't show emotion to me. What did I do wrong?" 

His left eye twitches and he sets down the unfinished half of his burger, "I didn't know that I would be playing therapist tonight. Well, let's start with the question 'What haven't you done wrong?'" He laughs but I don't, "Umm okay. When did she start acting weird?" 

"Like a week after we got back." 

"Wow, you've gone almost a month without talking to her?!" 

"I know what you mean, Rhoan. You meant physicality not spirituality or emotionally. Yeah, I have gone all this time. I don't know what's wrong! She has no emotion, she isn't even angry at me. Just cold-shouldered." 

"Well, have you tried taking charge? Just spin her around and plant one on her, then take her to your room and do your thing." He smiles wickedly and sips his coffee. 

I lean back on the vinyl covered seat and stare at him before pulling some money out of my pocket, throwing it on the table, and then getting up and walking out of the diner. 

A big part of me laughed at Rhoan's ridiculous answer, but a small part of me thought maybe it could work. There was only one way to find out and that was to ask a woman. I ran to Jordan's house and knocked on the door. 

"Hey, Uncle Gabriel! I didn't know you were coming by tonight?" 

"Hello, beautiful Sophia. I actually needed to have a grown up conversation with your mom."