In Another Life V

Chapter 6

Harley heard the door opening and woke up, confused for a moment as to why she was lying on a pile of dirty blankets on the floor. And then the memory of her kidnapping came rushing back to her, and fear and horror clutched at her heart. But those feelings were almost instantly dispelled when Jack Napier walked into the room, to be replaced by other uncertain but incredibly nice feelings.

"Morning, kid!" he said cheerfully, handing her a box of donuts. "Brought you breakfast."

"Oh...thanks," said Harley, sincerely. She was starving, and she opened the box eagerly, devouring the first donut she could get her hands on.

He laughed. "Thought you'd be hungry. Glad I bought a dozen."

"You're welcome to one..." she began, but he shook his head.

"Nah, you help yourself. I've already eaten. Made breakfast for me and the wife – thought it was the least I could do after last night..."

He stopped talking suddenly. "What happened last night?" asked Harley.

"We...uh...had a fight," he said slowly.

"What about?" she asked.

"It's not...er...it doesn't matter," he said, hastily.

"Well, I'm sure she was really grateful you tried to make amends," said Harley.

"Actually she...didn't eat any of it," he muttered. "She poured whiskey into her coffee and then...threw her plate at me."

Harley stared at him in shock. "Are you ok?" she asked.

"Sure, I've got good at dodging," he said, shrugging. "She didn't hit me."

"No, I mean...that's a horrible way to treat another human being!" exclaimed Harley.

"Well, I'm used to it," he said. "Jeannie's been like this for a long time. She's an alcoholic. The least I can do is be patient with her, and forgive her bad behavior. It's the alcohol that does it, y'see."

"Have you tried helping her off the alcohol?" she asked.

He nodded. "Nothing I can really do to help her though, if she won't help herself. And she doesn't want my help. Or to help herself."

"I'm...sorry you're having marriage problems," said Harley. "If you think talking about it would help, I am a psychiatrist."

He laughed. "Talking doesn't help, kid," he replied. "Certainly not with Jeannie. She's never been a very reasonable woman. But I can't criticize her for that – I'm not a very reasonable man."

"You shouldn't make excuses if someone is treating you badly," murmured Harley.

He shrugged. "Well, love is putting up with bad treatment sometimes. If you think the person you love is worth it."

"Is any kind of love worth putting up with violence?" she asked.

He grinned. "Oh yes," he murmured. "You're still young, kid. I'm sure you'll learn, when you're crazy about someone. They're worth everything."

She smiled back. "Your wife is a very lucky woman. I hope she knows that."

He laughed again. "Well, she might have to disagree with you there. But thank you."

Harley was silent. "Has she ever...asked you for a divorce?"

He shook his head. "She doesn't believe in them. She thinks the idea is immoral."

Harley laughed. "I'm sorry, I just...don't know how any woman married to a criminal can find something like divorce immoral."

"Well, we all have our own sense of morality, I guess," replied Jack. "It may not be completely in line with everyone else's, but it's there. Neither of us approve of divorce. Or...infidelity. Jeannie...reacts very strongly toward infidelity."