Page 2 of Second Chance Summer

“And you’re annoying. What do you want?” I ask, swirling the pieces of buttery pancakes around in way too much syrup because I can. Ain’t nothing wrong with a little sugar high this early. It’ll keep me awake just long enough to wash clothes, organize my apartment before I crash for two hours. Saturday naps are the best. They—

“Hellooo?”

I’m so enchanted by these bomb pancakes, I forgot Hendrick was on the phone. He’s really starting to irritate me. Correction – he’s been irritating me. I’m just feeling it again…like a deep tissue pain that you can’t reach.

“What!” I snap.

“You didn’t hear what I just said?” he asks.

“No. The phone must’ve cut out.”

Translation: Ain’t nobody got time for that!

“I was asking you if you’ve checked your email today?”

What the what? Why are you concerned about my inbox?

“I ain’t checked nothing. I don’t work on weekends.”

“It’s a personal email—nothing to do with work.”

“So what? It’s still an email. I don’t work on weekends. And I could be wrong, but I thought I JUST SAID THAT.”

He sighs. “See…this is why we’re in therapy now.”

“Oh, look at you pointing the blame. So typical. How about we just skip therapy and cruise right on through to the divorce?”

“That’s what your mouth says. Your heart probably says otherwise, but how would I know? The thing is impenetrable—even more secure than the president’s bunker.”

“Well, at least I actually have one.”

He sighs again, followed by silence that tells me he’s more irritated than he led on the first time. “This is—we shouldn’t be like this, but whatever. Just check your email.”

“Did this—?” I look at my phone. “Did this fool just hang up on me?”

I shrug it off and walk to the kitchen to brew a single cup of coffee. Curious about his question, though, I open my email app to find a message from Dr. Hubert. This must be what he’s referring to because everything else in my inbox is either spam or newsletters, which I now regret signing up for.

To: Lanai Vaillant; Hendrick Vaillant

From: Dr. Whitney Hubert

Subject: Mandatory Reconciliation Retreat

Good morning, folks!

I hope this email finds you both doing well. After several sessions with you two, it has become clear to me that the crux of your marital problems comes down to communication issues, long periods of separation (job, travel, etc.), and unresolved emotional distress. At this stage in the reconciliation process, here’s what I think would be best for you both – a couples’ retreat!

This retreat is located at the beautiful Maui Spa and Resort in Hawaii. This is an all-inclusive resort for your convenience. Participation in this retreat is strongly encouraged before any further therapy sessions with me and dissolution proceedings. Please take a moment to review the following requirements:

✓ You are expected to arrive in Maui next Saturday.

✓ Accommodations have been arranged. You will stay in a beautiful one-bedroom suite. Separate room requests will not be honored. That would defeat the purpose, right?

✓ You must participate in daily events including counseling sessions, trust rebuilding exercises, group therapy, and one-on-one sessions.

✓ Please note: Your cell phones will be taken by the retreat host to keep you focused on the task at hand - reconciliation. You will get them back upon departure. I cannot stress this enough: You must attend and participate in all sessions. At your earliest convenience, please return the participant agreement forms. Attached, you will find information about the resort, your travel itinerary, and the therapy schedule.