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Phillip and Jamie echo my sentiments, and David leans back into his seat looking satisfied.
“If you don’t mind me asking, when did she start having these panic attacks?” Phillip asks.
“Well, her mother and I became aware of them a little over two years ago, but they’ve probably been going on longer than that.”
“So her ex is probably a trigger then, right?” I chime in.
He bites the inside of his cheek like he’s trying to keep the words from spilling out.
“The only thing she told us is that he’s not a very good person, but we’ve been suspecting there’s a lot more to it than that. It can’t be a coincidence that the academy promo goes out on the same day she gets a message that makes her physically ill. He must have reached out to her.”
David’s mouth flattens into a thin line. “Barb texted me the gist of it, and yeah, it’s from him.”
“Is there anything you can tell us about what happened there that any little ears won’t pick up on?” Phillip asks.
“All I'll say is that however bad you think it is, it's probably going to be worse. She's going to need you three tonight.”
“But how are we going to get her to talk to us?” I ask frustratedly. “All she does is change the subject immediately or give us a vague response.”
“She was always a stubborn little girl and she's an even more stubborn woman now that she's grown.” He chuckles. “The nice word for it is determined, I guess. When she gets an idea into that big old brain of hers, there's nothing on earth that can stop her. Unfortunately, right now, she's got the idea that she has to deal with everything on her own.”
“But how?—”
He holds up a hand, stopping Jamie mid-sentence. “I was getting there.
“I think what you need to do is tell her how much you care and remind her that you're in this together.”
“We've been trying all week,” I grumble. “She just keeps changing the subject, just like with her ex.”
“Tell her what you told me earlier today about not going anywhere until she sends you packing. Let her know how much you want to help and as gently as you can, don't let her change the subject. Maybe don't push too hard tonight on the ex—she’s pretty fragile right now—but you should tell her exactly how you feel. More importantly, just make her feel safe tonight.”
About halfway through our meal, Barb bustles into the diner and heads to our table faster than a heat-seeking missile.
“This isn’t good,” David mutters.
After giving Leo no less than a thousand kisses, she drops into the seat next to her husband.
“We’re taking Leo tonight,” she says in lieu of a greeting.
“How bad?” he asks.
“The last time I saw her like this was before the court case.”
“Damn.”
Worry buzzes under my skin, and I wonder briefly if this is how beehives feel.
“Can you explain a little more?” I ask.
She glances over to Leo. “Not at the moment, but I think you gentlemen should get some boxes if you’re not finished with your meals. I don’t think she should be alone that long.”
“Then why did you leave her in the first place?” I demand.
When I see the look on her face and hear Leo’s whimper, I realize how much of an asshole I was being.
“I’m sorry. I’m worried about her, but that’s no excuse for raising my voice.” I turn my gaze to Leo. “I’m sorry if I scared you, buddy.”
“Big feel?” he asks.
