Story

ON THE BRINK

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Today she would find out if her entire life was a lie.

“Where to, Mrs. Carmichael? Shall I call for your car?” asked her ever-attentive doorman, Harold. 

“Not today, thank you. Just walking up to Brooks Brothers to buy an anniversary present for my husband. It’s our 15th.” She remembered she also needed to make a stop at her psychologist’s office. 

“Congratulations, Mrs. C! You have yourself a nice day.”

Claire Carmichael smiled at Harold and walked the short distance to her therapist’s office on Earl Street. Ringing Dr. Brink’s doorbell, she waited for his ubiquitous snobbish greeting of “Enter!” 

“Welcome, Claire. Last time you were here we discussed your suspicions that Jeremy was having an affair. Why don’t we pick up from there?” he suggested. 

Clearing her throat and adjusting her skirt, she began. “I’m no longer convinced Jeremy’s cheating on me. I’m not saying that he’s never had affairs but something is different. Things have changed between us. They’re better. Jeremy’s calmer, more attentive, grounded. He’s home every night by 6:00 and we enjoy our weekends together. No more overnight, out-of-town business trips and I’m actually happy for the first time in years.” 

“Interesting” Dr. Brink acknowledged. “And to what do you attribute this change in Jeremy’s character?” 

“We had a long talk the other night and it wasn’t easy for Jeremy. He confided in me that he’s been having panic attacks for quite some time. He finally started seeing a psychiatrist who’s helping him tremendously. He’s on medication and takes an early lunch twice a week to see his doctor.” 

“And you believe him?” 

“I do” Claire replied, uncomfortable with her therapist’s skepticism. And she did believe Jeremy; his explanation was credible and heartfelt.

“Did Jeremy happen to mention his psychiatrist’s name?” 

Feeling rather nonplussed she replied “No, he didn’t and I didn’t ask. That would be prying – information I didn’t need to know. Now I really must get going. It’s our wedding anniversary and I have errands to run.” 

“Good luck, Claire. Ever vigilant!” he called after her. 

When Claire stepped outside there was a chill in the air; the sky was mottled and gray. That session unnerved her and she lingered for a while smoking a cigarette wondering what Dr. Brink meant when he said “Ever vigilant.” Muttering “shrinks!”, she wrapped her coat tightly around herself and quickly walked to Brooks Brothers. She chose a pair of monogrammed cuff links; they were elegant and ridiculously expensive but Claire wanted Jeremy to know how proud she was of him. 

Leaving the store Claire decided to go across the street to their favorite French restaurant and arrange for a special anniversary dinner to be delivered to their apartment. Looking up Claire’s heart skipped a beat and she felt dizzy. 

Exiting the restaurant was Jeremy, his arm around a captivating young woman. They were laughing, embracing and kissing as they walked. 

Stunned, Claire threw the box from Brooks Brothers into a trash can and hailed a taxi. 

“Where to, your highness?” The driver was uncouth with a big mouth, both physically and metaphorically. He chomped noisily on a cigar and Claire could smell his disgusting breath from the back seat. But he probably never cheated on his wife, she thought, acrid bitterness stinging the back of her throat. 

“Just drive” was all she said; the cabbie smiled greedily as he flipped the meter. 

NAR © 2023

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Mottled Sky Page
Credible – Word of the Day Challenge

This is Nancy Wilson singing “Guess Who I Saw Today”.

37 thoughts on “ON THE BRINK”

  1. Pingback: The Limelighters – Mottled Sky Wrap-up – Moonwashed Musings

      1. Perhaps Claire “should have realized” that his changes and story about panic attacks seemed fishy – but I understand why she’d want to believe him and just accept his story at face value. It’s exhausting to second guess everything, and it seems natural to me to want to trust your husband.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  14. Oh Claire, Claire, Claire. Retrieve the pricey cufflinks from the bin, return them to Brooks Bros, and pocket the bleeding’ refund. Then ask the first guy you see who’s above the age of 18, to have lunch with you. Warn him it’s apt to be long lunch; you don’t want him walking out mid-sentence, you know? Good morning, sis.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Oh, you mean instead of running back to that smarmy therapist and tearfully admitting he was right and she was wrong and eventually having a dismal affair with him that will surely end in disaster and years more of therapy? Yes? Because that could easily happen. I like your angle a whole lot more, sis! And a very good morning.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply

Tell me what you're thinking. 🖊️