Free Serial Separation by Dick C. Waters Page B

are going shopping it would put me in the holiday spirit to wear red. Are you ready?”
    “Let’s go; the cab is outside.”
    Jeremy told the cab where to go, heard him grumble something about the downtown traffic, but flipped the flag, gunned it, and they were off.
    “JJ, I just saw Lisa. She was on the phone, and I saw her hang it up . . . she must have been talking with Scott. Judy says she’s been acting strangely, but I guess I never saw it first hand. Every time I see her she’s in control. I wonder what has her upset. I’m more than curious as to whether Scott and Lisa will be still going skiing with us New Year’s.”
    Jeremy considered his own situation and bit his tongue.
    Dottie whispered, “JJ, are we okay?”
    “Sure we are. Why are you asking that?” He knew why she asked.
    “You’ve been acting strangely.”
    He thought he had done a good job of hiding his problem.
    “We all have some pressure at semester end . . . that’s all.”
    He looked out the window to hide his eyes.
    Dottie studied him. “We all have pressure just like you said, but, honey, I’ve known you for many semesters, and you have never behaved like this.”
    “Can we talk about this when we’re alone?”
    “Surrre. Let’s do that. Hopefully, you’ll remember to tell me and not your other friend, what’s bothering you.”
    “Is that what you think . . . that I have someone else?”
    “You know, Jeremy, we haven’t made love in weeks . . . in fact, I can’t remember the last time we were together that way. Can you?”
    He put his finger to his lips.
    “No, Jeremy, I won’t be quiet any longer. It’s time you either told me what’s bothering you, or tell me you have someone else. I can’t take your being somewhere else when we’re together. If you really love me, you have to share what’s bothering you.” She paused looking at him.
    “JJ, I love you with all my heart, but you’re killing me. Please, please tell me right now, right here . . . I don’t give a shit about him,” she said, pointing to the driver.
    However, at that moment, the driver stopped the cab and announced they had arrived. Dottie started to cry and jumped out of the cab. Jeremy fumbled with his wallet and tossed the driver a twenty, which more than covered the fare and tip. He ran after her, caught up with her, and grabbed her by the arm.
    Dottie slapped at his hand, yelling, “Let me go . . . get your hands off me . . . I’ve had it.”
    They were drawing the attention of people on the sidewalk.
    “Dottie, it’s not what you think.” He grabbed her around the waist and turned her to face him. “Dottie, it’s not someone else. I love you . . . but something happened to me . . . I can’t talk about it.”
    She stopped her struggling, and people went back to what they were doing. “If you love me, you know I love you, but you have to share what’s wrong so I can help you.”
    He guided her to the nearest bench.
    “Why haven’t you made love to me in over a month?”
    He looked into her eyes, trying to beg her to let it go.
    They were both silent for a while. “Okay, Jeremy. If you promise to tell me real soon I will let it drop. But you have to know that not knowing what’s bothering you . . . well, it gives me all kinds of ideas about what it could be. Those things could be worse than whatever has been bothering you. If we’re going to have a future together, we have to start sharing the bad with the good.”
    Jeremy was glad the situation was defused but realized he had to show her more affection, if he could, or risk losing her.

Chapter 20
     
    I had finally completed all my Christmas shopping that morning. Good thing the next day was Christmas. The presents were wrapped and loaded in the car. The freezing temperature wouldn’t hurt the fruit cake I had picked up for Lisa’s parents.
    Many of the businesses near the task force office were closed. The wind was really blowing. The heavy, wet snow was now sticking to