Unremitting Love

Chapter 3

I saw a fast change in his behavior.

He would get nervous around family.

He didn't like being left alone with anybody.

He didn't want me to leave his side.

When I took him home, he didn't want them over.

And now, a month later, he's still weary.

I can't get him to talk to me.

Everyone has tried to get him to talk, but he just...

Won't.

He's physically Daniel, but mentally, he's not the same.

He doesn't joke around anymore.

The doctor cleared him to return to his activities, so he's working out a lot.

He's already got his strength back, and we're all at my parents today, and he's just...

Quiet.

I miss my Daniel.

He doesn't tease anymore...he's not in the mood for sex, which, that's whatever. I couldn't care less. As long as he's healthy and happy, I don't care.

He hasn't even looked for a new truck.

He hasn't gone to the shop.

He just...

He won't.

I'm worried about him.

Normally if something goes wrong, he's there to fix it.

My truck was making a sound.

He didn't fix it.

He drove it to the shop.

I'm nervous.

"He still won't talk?" Mrs. Schmitt asks.

I sigh.

"No." I whisper, looking at Daniel.

Finn is trying to figure out what's wrong with his truck, and Daniel isn't trying to help him.

I know that he knows what's wrong with it because he's listening, staring at his black phone screen, and every time somebody pitches an idea, he shakes his head.

He won't speak though.

Not about cars.

Not about his feelings.

"I don't understand." I sigh. "He's not...Daniel."

"Did you suggest a therapist?" Mama asks.

I snort.

"He won't talk to me. There's no way he's going to talk to a stranger."

She frowns.

We're all watching him.

"Maybe the engine is blown?" Josh says.

"It's not smoking. It's a manual, also, and-"

Daniel snorts.

Everyone looks at him.

"What?" Finn demands.

He sighs slowly, and then he stands up.

"Aubrey, I want to go home." He says.

I hesitate, standing there.

I'm sick of it.