When The Stars Align

Chapter 92

James and I took Tyler to play at a park. We sat on a wooden bench while Tyler ran around happily.

"Aren't you mad at me, for what I told you yesterday? Our conversation was interrupted by Sarah." He said holding Tyler's jacket in his hands and resting his elbows on his knees.

"No...no, I am not mad at you. Why would I? James, you're doing what I asked you to do. You're trying to get better for us and even if it's just a little time, you haven't been drinking, so no I am not mad. I don't want you to feel pressured by me...not even if you think you should talk more with her and you don't. You can talk about anything to me, even if it's to tell me that you were in that room with the therapist and didn't say a thing for the whole hour."

"I thought I was going to disappoint you. I know you expect something and so far that isn't happening." He told me. I smiled at him and ran a hand over his hair in a caress.

"It is happening, at least is making you think. Do you want my opinion? When you're thinking what to tell or not to your therapist, you're realizing what makes you suffer and ache and what not, that's why you say you pick what to tell her." I commented and he chuckled.

"Are you trying to analyze me now?" He asked me with a soft smile on his lips and his eyes sparkled playfully.

"Me? Noooooooo..." I laughed. "I am far from being a therapist and I sure don't have the skills. I am a teacher now and of law, so..." I shrugged. "I am just talking to you and give you my humble opinion babe. And you don't disappoint me, it's all part of the process. I have been reading a lot, you know, and they say at the beginning people don't open up much." James grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on it.

"I'd feel more comfortable if you were there with me."

"But she doesn't want me there, so we have to respect that. When she says it's time for me to go in, I'll go, until then..." I shook my head. "There's nothing I can do."

"I think she's trying to work on me first and then bring you in to work on our relationship. To see how much damage has been done."

"Probably." I nodded. "Now you have to try and open up with her, she'll be able to help you more if she knows exactly where you're coming from. She knows you're hiding stuff; they know that even if you don't talk at all, let alone like you do. Try to do it babe." James puffed and took a deep breath.

"I'm gonna try, I promise." When I bent over him to kiss his lips, Tyler came running.

"Mommy...mommy..." He called and I looked at him. "Look who's here?" He said pointing, but I was so taken by surprise that I had trouble seeing what he was pointing out. "Erica mommy, Erica is here..." He said and finally I saw the little girl coming to us and by her side Joe. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

Joe approached us, holding Erica by his hand, walking slowly. His white buttoned shirt a bit opened and the sleeves were folded up to his elbows. His linen black trousers, accenting his lines and his lips opening more and showing his perfect white teeth. His black hair perfectly combed back and his eyes, like too big black Olives, smiling the same way as his lips. My smile opened up a bit more and I noticed James turning his head at me.

"Hi." Joe said as he got near us. I got up to greet him.

"Hi." I said surprised. "This is James." I introduced him and they shook hands.

"I usually bring Erica here to play." Joe said.

"I didn't know." I was completely mesmerized by his beauty. Joe was a new colleague from the university. He came to town three months before and his daughter was in the daycare together with Tyler. We became friends as we even shared a few classes. Joe sat with us for some time, watching the two kids play and talking to us. James was more of a spectator than talkative. Finally when Joe left James talked.