Page 56

Joe

My wife starts to scream, and I rise from my desk and go around to my office door, shutting it to block out the sound. Glancing at the clock, I retake my seat and pick up the pen, anxious to finish this report before I need to leave for my Monday-morning class.

The pen tip tears the page a little, and I realize I am gripping it too hard, a side effect of my anger, which is still at a boiling point despite the hours that have passed since I realized her deceit.

I force myself to set down the writing utensil and lace my hands over the top of my head. Leaning back in my seat, I stretch the muscles in my chest and give my emotion a moment to dispel.

Emotion, in any situation, is unproductive. Often, it can be destructive, and that is what I am trying to avoid. I will need to handle this very carefully. Dinah is a woman who will be missed, one with a family that will be a big problem for me if not headed off at the pass.

I will have to be smart, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this process while I make the proper arrangements.

I move my attention to my desk calendar and pencil in a session at 3:00 p.m. A joint session, which will be my first.

I stand and grab my jacket and my briefcase. I need to hurry if I’m going to make it to the campus in time for my class.

I open the office door, and her screams grow louder.