Chapter 3: Eyes Wide Open
The first session was for June and Jerry. June was sitting in the waiting room. Jerry and Mary walked in together. Before June could say a word Jerry said "Mary is my backup and I will be hers when she goes through this charade with Ralph." Once again June found herself playing checkers while Jerry and Mary were playing chess. Mary and Jerry were protecting each other as most couples would.
The door opened and a slightly balding gentleman asked. "I am looking for June and Jerry Slater."
June walked in and as Jerry was about to go in when he gave Mary a little kiss on the lips. June saw it on the mirror that was on the wall. Her blood was boiling.
Dr. Goldman introduced himself and explained what he hoped to accomplish.
June nodded in the affirmative. Jerry just sat there and listened.
Dr. Goldman said that he had read the court report and had some questions for June.
"June, when you found out about the affair why didn't you confront Jerry?
June was looking at her wedding rings. "I don't know. I was mad and I wanted to get even with him."
"Now June, why would you tie Jerry to a chair?"
"I wanted him to feel helpless and to feel the pain I felt. I wanted him to suffer the way I suffered."
Dr Goldman just nodded.
"Last question June. How has your plan worked out? Was the punishment worth what is happening now? Has everything happened the way you wanted?"
June started to hyper ventilate. Dr. Goldman told her to put her head between her legs and to breathe deeply. "I think that would be a NO" Dr. Goldman said.
Now Dr. Goldman looked at Jerry and asked: "So Jerry, how are you doing?"
"I am doing very well. It was tough the first week after I left but Mary and I managed to help and support each other. We talked a lot about what happened, how it happened and what the future holds for us. I like where my life is going and our future. We are working on making our relationship as strong as possible. We are learning a lot about each other. Keeping the lines of communications open is critical. We spend most of our free time just talking."
"How do you feel about what June has said?"
"I am sorry for what I did and there is no excuse for it happening. I really am. The affair will be something that I will take to my grave. But what June and Ralph did was cold, vicious, cruel and sadistic. Frankly, I have no idea why they wanted Mary and I to return for the divorce. It would have been easier for everyone if we did not have to return."
"Do you hate June?"
"No"
"Do you love June?"
Jerry chuckled. "Hell No!! My love for her and our marriage died two months ago. Being tied to a chair will do that to most people."
"What do you feel for June?"
"Not a damn thing. She is just someone that lives next door to me."
June could not believe what she was hearing.
"Have you and Mary had sex?"
"Sorry Doc but what Mary and I do or do not do is none of anyone's business"
"Why is that Jerry?"
"Look Dr. Goldman. June and Ralph have been fucking like bunnies for the past 2 months. Our neighbors have asked me what is going on with June and Ralph. She is loud and descriptive. Some of our neighbors can't let their kids play outside because of her. She wants the whole world what she is doing and with whom."
"I am not like that. My love life stays private."
Dr. Goldman now looked at June. "Is what Jerry saying true?"
June was pissed now. "Listen Jerry, if you kept your dick in your pants none of this would have happened. Now you are paying the price. When I am done with Ralph then we can have a marriage and love life again."
Jerry laughed. "June there is NO we. There is you and Ralph and Mary and I. You said that you wanted revenge that night you tied me to the chair and you got it and your pound of flesh. I hope it was worth it. That was the only night that you hurt me. I will admit that you made one hell of scar on my heart but Mary is repairing the damage. She is an amazing woman; kind, considerate and very loving. I don't care what you do with Ralph or anyone else for that matter. It doesn't matter to me. I have moved on and I have Mary. I love every day that I am with her. I am rebuilding my life with her. I like my future and I am not living in the past."
"Doc I wanted to thank you for this session. It helped. But it will be my last session. I have said everything I wanted to say. Thanks."
Dr. Goldman looked at Jerry. "That's it?"
"Dr. Goldman, Mary and I, are already seeing a counselor individually and together. We are seeing Dr. Williams and we have been seeing him for about 6 weeks. He is helping us work through our issues. We started seeing him as soon as we were forced to return."
June looked at Jerry. "You two are seeing a shrink to discuss "your issues." What the fuck does that mean? Where does that leave me and Ralph?
Jerry looked at June and said: "Fucking on my desk?"
Jerry got up and walked out the door.
Mary had heard what Jerry had said. They walked out the door holding hands.