Free Saving Farley's Bog by Don Sawyer Page A

Right?”
    â€œI, I guess so,” Molly replied uncertainly. “But why did he do it, Stitch? Was it my fault? Wasn’t I a good enough lover? A good enough wife?”
    â€œMolly, I don’t know anything about your relationship. That’s not my department. But I do know this. No relationship succeeds or fails without help from both sides. I know. I’ve managed to screw up lots of them. It’s easy to blame the other person. It’s a lot harder to be honest with yourself. I think that’s what Bob was doing. Putting all the blame on you.”
    There was silence at the other end. “How did it feel for you these last months?” Stitch asked.
    Molly sighed. “Yes. It wasn’t working. I tried to talk with him. But Bob didn’t want to see anyone. He was a very emotionally closed man. He told me to see someone myself. I was the one who had the problem.”
    â€œWhich made it easy for him to justify what he did. Listen, Molly. You are going to need some support. Are you interested in seeing a really good counsellor?”
    â€œI… Well, I guess so. I’ve never seen a shrink before.”
    Stitch shook his head in the car. Why are people so afraid of seeing a counsellor? he wondered. If they broke a bone, they’d be at hospital in a flash. But if they have a broken heart, it’s not important enough to get help. There’s nothing that can be done. Seeing someone who helps people heal emotionally shows weakness.
    â€œI’ve come to know several good people in our area,” Stitch said. “Melanie Brooks is super. She is gentle and caring. But she also gets you to figure things out for yourself. I think you’d like her. Would you like her number?”
    There was another short pause. “Yes. Yes, Mr. Robinson,” Molly said forcefully. “I would like her number. Maybe it’s time I start taking control of my life.”
    Stitch grinned. “That’s my girl. Give Erin a call. She’s my secretary. Tell her you need Dr. Brooks’ number. And Molly?”
    â€œYes, Stitch?”
    â€œYou’ve got a whole life ahead of you. A great life. For you and your kids. I know what a mess all of this has been for you. But it will pass.”
    â€œPromise?” Molly asked in a tremulous voice. She sounded like a little girl. She started to cry again.
    â€œPromise,” Stitch said confidently.
    There was a long pause at the other end. “Will you come see me when you get back?”
    Stitch briefly squeezed his eyelids shut. What was he getting himself into? “Of course I will.”
    â€œTonight?” Molly asked more softly.
    Stitch sighed. “I won’t be in until late.”
    Molly seemed to sniffle. “I don’t care, Stitch. I just need you here right now. Please?”
    Stitch hesitated. “OK. I’ll come right to your house.”
    â€œPromise?” Molly asked.
    â€œPromise.”
    Afterwards he drove in silence. He wasn’t in the mood for music. The car drifted on cruise control around the gentle curves of the expressway. His mind too was on cruise control.
    Stitch shook his head. Time to get back to work. He gave the Bluetooth lady instructions to call Daffy.
    Daffy answered on the second ring. It was as if he were sitting by the phone waiting. “Yeah, Stitch. What do you have?”
    â€œAin’t good, Daffy. I went out to Maxwell’s cabin this morning. He’d been shot.”
    Daffy groaned on the other end. “Is he dead?”
    â€œOh, yeah. Real dead.”
    There was a pause. “Dead is good.”
    Stitch almost ran off the road. “Dead is good?”
    â€œNo, no,” Daffy said hurriedly. “I know it’s sad for his wife. His kids. But as far as the injunction goes, it’s not that bad. The best thing would have been for him to be here and to have testified.”
    â€œYeah,” Stitch grunted. “Whoever wanted him