Conversations with Jack & Diane
Shock Therapy
“Aloha Kakaiaka,” Jack greeted. He was dressed in light
brown dress slacks, a pair of dark brown TM loafers, and an
understated yet eye catching Ray Rahlston aloha shirt. Hawaiian
Professional Chic.
Diane was dressed in a white and blue, Hawaiian geometric
print Mamo muumuu with laced highneck collar, laced sleeve
cuffs, and flowing lace hem. She was absolutely stunning.
“Good morning to you too,” she replied sweetly, a perfect
sunny smile adorning the soft line of her face. She sat gracefully,
lifting the steaming cup of tea to her lips, blowing gently before
sipping.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you,” Jack smiled,
reaching across the table and stroking Diane’s pretty face. “How
are you this morning love?” he asked with genuine interest.
“Oh just peachy,” she offered, her expression turning sour.
“Mornings suck!”
Jack laughed softly, leaning back in his chair.
“My pain brings you pleasure?” she asked with feigned
resentment.
“The very core of your torment carresses me with waves of
warm contentment. That you suffer is but the song that touches
my soul. Every vileness that snakes into your thoughts enraptures
the essence of my most cherished pleasures. The...”
“Okay, okay. That’s enough Jack,” Diane chuckled. “I get
the point. And I apologize for snapping at you.” She blinked her
blue eyes very slowly, taking another sip of tea.
“Apology unnecessary, but accepted never the less.” He
smiled at his friend. “Now tell Jackieboy what’s really bothering
you?”
Diane shrugged, her long flaxen hair falling forward across her
face. She tossed her head deftly, the silky strands flowing back
over her shoulders.
“Want to see something?” she asked.
“Only if it involves you and some form of disrobement. Is
that a word?”
“Oh stop it Jack. I’m trying to be serious. And by the way,
if you can say it, it’s a word.’ She scowled at him.
“Serious is for nuns. You aren’t like a nun on vacation
now are you?”
“Come on Jack,” she pleaded. “I need to ask you
something. Will you stop with the jokes and give me your honest
opinion?”
“I like nuns,” he offered one more time. “Frustrated
women make the best lovers.”
“Oh really,” Diane shrugged, sinking in her chair as her
expression saddened.
“Ok, forget about the nuns,” Jack promised. “I’ll be a good
boy and listen.” He sat up straight. “Now go ahead, tell Dr. Jack
what’s wrong?”
“You never stop, do you?”
“Nope...” he replied instantly. “But I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Indeed,” Diane agreed. She reached into her purse and
produced a gold band. “This is Fred’s wedding ring,” she
announced.
“And...” Jack prodded.
“And he asked me to get it refurbished today. You know
cleaned and polished.”
“I know what refurbish means,” he laughed. “Geeez
Diane, you really do think me an idiot, don’t you?”
“Don’t be silly Jack,” she admonished. “I’m just a bit out
of sorts this morning.”
“Because of the ring?” he asked.
“Yes...”
He shook his head slowly. “I don’t understand.”
Diane carressed the cool metallic ring in her delicate hand.
“I don’t think I love Fred anymore,” she finally admitted.
“And you know this because of the ring?” Jack queried, his
expression wrinkling.
“The ring, and other things as well,” she responded
absently, staring at some distant scene in her mind. “The last time
I held this ring was the day I bought it, over eight years ago. Even
then it made me nervous. Gave me a feeling of foreboding. Made
me think about my life, and all the things I wouldn’t be able to
accomplish because I was about to give myself to another person.”
“And he too you,” Jack added, always the fair arbitrator.
“Indeed,” Diane agreed. “And he too me.” Her blue eyes
were still fixed on some faraway scene.
Jack settled into his seat. “Exactly why is it that you are
questioning your love for Fred?” he ventured.
“That’s the problem Jack. There is no specific reason. It’s
just the way I feel. There just isn’t any passion in my heart for the
man.”
“I see,” Jack nodded. “Tell me something love,” he posed.
“Is becky really Fred’s?”
“What the hell kind of question is that Jack?!” she fumed,
her eyes finally focussing on him.
“Awfully defensive aren’t we?” he needled. “Are you sure
Becky is really Fred’s?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Fred is the only man I’ve ever made
love with Jack! Of course Becca is his!”
“And do you love Becky?” he probed.
“Oh you are so full of shit Jack!” she whispered with some
venom. “She means the world to both Fred and I.”
“I don’t think it’s your love for Fred that you are
questioning, but in fact your commitment to Becky.” He sipped
his tea, avoiding eye contact with a now livid Diane. “I think both
you and Fred are questioning your commitment to Becky. You
both resent her for the freedom that her existence snathces
away from you. And now you are both looking for a way to dump
that responsibility and reclaim the freedom that has eluded you
both.”
Diane lifted her cup, hand trembling as she sipped the hot
liquid, her glare burning into Jack. “Oh do go on Professor. Tell
me more of your crap!”
Jack obliged. “Do you remember the last time that you
kissed Fred in front of Becky?”
“What?”
“Just answer the question.”
Diane sat back, thinking. “As a matter of fact,” she
offered, thrilled that she was about to show Jack up. “It was just
this morning. So there...” She sipped triumphantly.
“And did you happen to notice the expression on Becky’s
face when you did. When you kissed Fred I mean?”
“How did you know that I look at Becca whenever Fred
and I are affectionate in front of her?”
“I know everything remember. I”m a professor.” He
smiled and continued. “Now, that look on her face? What do you
think made her smile that way?”
“I don’t know Jack, what?”
He held her gaze for a while, absorbing her beauty, taking a
deep breath. “Instinct...” he offered.
“You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, do
you Jack? I know your trying to help. And perhaps you felt that
this whole conversation was going to bestow some profound truth
upon me and make my life all peachy. But I’m afraid it’s not.”
Jack leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Fred’s
molesting Becky, isn’t he?” he asked bluntly.
Diane gasped in real distress. “You bastard!” she shouted,
her voice echoing out over the empty cafe. “That little girl is
Fred’s sunshine, his breath, his whole life. How dare you insinuate
such a thing. You, who sits in cafe’s conducting initimate
conversations with women, while your own wife is god only
knows where. You who thinks he’s so damned perfect and
somekind of miraculous gift too women. You are a vile man, with
a vile mind. Fred is a good man. He provides for Becca and me.
And he loves us. Yes love! A concept that you have no
comprehension of. You, with your questions that hurt and
wound.” She gripped the ring tightly, tears in her eyes. “This ring
binds Fred to me and me to him. Binds us through love.
Something you’ll probably never understand.”
Jack just held her gaze for a moment longer. He smiled
slowly, his eyes filled with relief. “Sometimes it takes a bastard
like me to put things into perspective, doesn’t it?” he asked, his
expression warm and inviting.
Diane’s gaze narrowed, her thoughts coalescing. “I do love
him, don’t I?”
“Sure sounds that way to me,” Jack agreed. “Only love can
muster a defense as strong as the one you just blew past me.”
“But I don’t really know if it’s love or just a comfortable
rut that I’ve dug for myself.”
“Rut is just another word for contentment,” Jack shrugged.
He reached over and took her hand into his. An act that never
failed to fill him with warmth. “I’m sorry if my words were
hurtful love. But sometimes it takes a raping of thought to get us
to realize what we have. I know Fred is a good man. And I think
you just needed for someone to remind you of that. And of the
warmth you feel for him.”
“But is warmth really love?” she probed.
“It’s a level of love, yes,” Jack replied
Diane nodded slowly. “I miss the passionate level,” she
finally offered, taking a sip of tea.
“Don’t we all,” Jack replied.
They sat quietly. No more words were needed.
The end
Unpublished Works © 1997 GJB
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