63. Epilogue
63
Epilogue
Katrinia
W e just recently got back to New England from our trip abroad. For weeks we did nothing but stuff our faces, bathe in the sea, and explore all the historic towns I’ve always dreamed of seeing. All while exploring each other every single chance we could.
I think I screwed my husband more on that trip than most wives screw their husbands their entire marriages.
“It was perfect. The entire trip feels like a dream.” I say as I finally shake Dr. Bennett’s hand. He gestures for me to take a seat on a green leather couch and I do as Cooper follows.
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to finally be meeting you. So tell me what inspired you to want to come in? I know we’ve rescheduled a few times and a lot has happened since, but what about that first initial appointment?”
Cooper lightly squeezes my hand as Dr. Bennett crosses his legs in the chair in front of us with a clipboard in his lap. I watch as he waits so patiently for my response, sliding his thumb up and down the shaft of his fancy pen.
“Well… I guess you know we spent some time apart.” I say, a little nervous as the room starts to feel like it’s getting hot.
“I do.” He dips his chin. “Would you like to tell me a little bit about how that time felt for you?”
I fan my face, feeling like I’m starting to sweat.
“Is it a little hot in here?” I breathe in and out as I look between Cooper and the doctor but they both seem completely fine.
“Sixty eight degrees like always. Would you like a bottle of water?” Dr. Bennett asks, shifting in his seat before he stands.
He walks around his desk and opens a mini refrigerator, pulling out a small bottle of water. When he comes back around he hands it to me before he resumes his seat. “Oftentimes first visits can make people nervous. Try to relax. There’s no judgment here. We are just having a conversation.”
Twisting the cap back on after taking a sip I try to collect myself before I go on to answer his question. “That time was really hard for me. I couldn’t trust anyone, I isolated myself, and had a hard time dating or making friends. I focused all my energy on studying and ended up staying in school to get my masters. My friend Willow and I stayed in North Carolina for a little while before we moved up here to Salem. That’s where I ran into Cooper again.”
“That’s right. He mentioned you were a bookkeeper for the company he hired. I bet that was a surprise.”
Cooper chuckles before turning to look at me, “It was fate.”
I nod with a smile knowing I’ll never change his mind. While at the same time loving that he believes it to be the truth. Him believing that his love for me is so strong it caused the entire universe to intervene in order to bring me back to him is one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard.
Suddenly I’m so overcome with emotions I start to sob. Folding over, I drop my face in my hands as I become a blubbering mess. Sobbing as tears ruin my makeup. They drip down off my cheeks staining my dress before the doctor kindly hands me a tissue box.
“I’m sorry I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just love him so much and he’s just so beautiful it’s been making me really emotional lately. I must still be jet lagged or suffering through vacation withdrawals.” I bawl into the tissue. Blowing my nose and wiping away my waterfall tears.
“Take your time Katrinia.” The doctor gives me a warm smile before giving me some space and turning to my husband. “Cooper, what about you? Are you also suffering vacation withdrawals? How was the trip for you?”
“It was the greatest experience of my life. We gorged on great wine and food and spent most of our time laying on beaches. We went to this one restaurant where I ordered a Meusa, which is this sautéed veal spleen sandwich. I was a little surprised I liked it but you know what they say, ‘When in Rome’, or in that case Sicily.” My husband jokes as bile rises up in my throat. The back of my neck starts to sweat and my face goes numb.
I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Where’s the restroom?” I blurt out as I stand.
The doctor points to a door off to the right of his desk and I run. Turning the knob I open the door, slamming it shut behind me. I barely make it to the toilet before I hurl into the porcelain bowl.
I’ve felt dizzy and sick for days and I’m starting to think I picked up a parasite on our trip. I knew I shouldn’t have eaten at all those food carts.