Christmas Therapy

“I was married before, Heather.”

Heather blinked as her body went still.

He sat back against her couch. “I met Crystal in college and we fell in love quickly. She came from money, but she wanted a career of her own. Very independent. Outgoing. She got accepted into law school out of state but I proposed.” He paused for a second, but his rigid muscles eased when Heather took his hand.

Allen continued. “She accepted, and we married with a big wedding. We talked about what we wanted, but she was always hesitant on the subject of kids. I grew up an only child so I want my kids to have siblings. We got into a big argument one day and that’s when she said she didn’t want them. She wanted her career.”

“I’m so sorry,” Heather said.

He sighed. “The worst part of it was when I found out about my mother's cancer. My dad called me the night Crystal made partner, and I was on my way to her celebration dinner, but I ended up going to see my mother. The next day Crystal's mother called telling me she was in a car accident.”

Heather's grip tightened inside his hand. He didn't pull away. He exhaled as the monsters of his past screamed inside his head. He could finish. He wanted Heather to know. “Crystal suffered from retrograde amnesia. She didn't remember me at all. She barely recognized her family members.”

“Allen...” Heather scooted closer to him.

Allen shut his eyes. “It was too much to handle at one time. Between her and my mother's cancer in stage four, I felt the walls were closing in on me. Then Crystal's parents suggested we divor

ce. They knew of our problems in the past and thought it was best. By that time, my mother died, and I was numb from losing her, I agreed. I wanted a fresh start, and I figured Crystal would be better off.”

Heather stroked his arm. “I can't imagine what that felt like.”

He faced her soft eyes. Her voice soothing him. He reached out and cupped her cheek. “So can you understand why that night freaked me out? I wasn't expecting to feel something like this.”

“Me neither.”

“For a long time, I thought it damaged me. I thought perhaps I couldn't have something special.” His eyes never left hers. “I'm doubting that now.”

Heather gave half a smile.

“I thought that night was a mistake.”

Her chin trembled. “I did too.” She covered her face with her free hand. “How did this happen?”

“I don’t know.” He clasped the hand on her face, lacing her fingers with his. “But I can't say I regret it.”

“I can't either.”

Allen then gestured to her yoga mat. “Should we start our session?”

***

Heather gave a slight shake of her head. No wonder he pulled away from her. He started her with her regular knee props. The tenseness in her stomach increased. She groaned.

Should she share with him her past? Her six-week rule? Things were moving too fast, and it wowed her.

“Heather?”

She blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

He held out a stretch band. “We’re on to the clamshells.”

“Right.” She moved to lean on her side. Allen looped the band around her ankles, she pulled it to rest around her knees.

Each time she raised her leg, she bit the inside of her cheek. Allen never gave her too much, but he never gave her the easy way out.

“And rest.”

Church bells rang when she heard the words. “That was a tough one.”