With a knot in my stomach, I pick up my phone. Just what I feared: Sara sent Anouk’s nude photo from my phone to hers. Just open and exposed from my chat with Anouk to my chat with Sara. For the sake of form, I remove the photo from the chat with Sara, but I’m afraid the damage has already been done, so I walk to her room to see if I can still limit the damage. Sara bursts into a nervous laugh when I confront her with the chats: „I have sent a picture of Anouk to my account? Do not be crazy.” “The only crazy one here is you.”
Hysterical stuff
Finally I manage to view her phone and make sure the photo is removed from her device. She insists she didn’t forward him. I just trust that. Luckily I was quick, so she couldn’t do much with it. I hope. I’m done with Sara after this incident. She has these hysterical things every time. And that while she was so nice and sober.
The relationship therapist is in a 30-year building. From her waiting room I have a beautiful view over the meadows. There are several magazines and news magazines on the table. On the wall are some beautiful pictures of the skyline of Hong Kong and New York. No singing bowls, no buddhas and no spells. I had to search for a long time before I found someone who has both feet on the ground, but who can also give Anouk the feeling that serious work is being done on our relationship.
Conclusion
“What are the pain points?” the therapist asks us as we sit in her consulting room. “We broke up for two years because I had another one,” I kick off. “He wanted to continue with her, so we got divorced. And very bad things have happened in the process”, Anouk continues. “But after a difficult time, we have come to the conclusion that we do want to continue together in one way or another. We just don’t know how,” I add. “You don’t know how,” asks the therapist. “What are you doing now?”
“We see each other secretly.” “Do you see each other secretly? What does that look like?” And so it goes for an hour. We answer, she repeats our last words and we complete again. After an hour she says: “Great. I do have a picture. I propose a series of five sessions where we will look at what drives you to react the way you react and what you then encounter. What needs and fears lie below. What do you know about each other and what secrets do you still have to share. Five sessions without children. Agree? Then we’ll see. Needs, fears, secrets? I want to move on with our lives without too much hassle. The last thing I want to do is talk about needs, fears and secrets, but if it’s necessary to satisfy Anouk, I’ll do it. Although I must say that Anouk herself does not look too happy.
Nice and quiet
“Do you have a good feeling about it?” I ask when we are back in the car. “Yes. She’s businesslike, but it feels good,” she replies. “But?” “No but. I’m just tired,” explains Anouk. “Very tired?” “That’s okay. How so?” “I wanted to drive to the sea for a while.” “Now? The weather is not nice at all.” I wink: “Nice and quiet.” Indeed there is no one. The entire parking lot is empty. I drive as far as possible so that we are right on the edge of the dune and have a beautiful view of the sea. Anouk unfastens her seat belt and unbuttons her coat. She leans back relaxed. “Don’t walk,” I ask. Anouk shakes her head. “No, it’s all right.”
“Beautiful.” I reach for the back seat and grab a large shopper. “For you.” Curious, Anouk takes the present out of the bag. “For me? Why?” “Just because it’s nice to give you something”, I grin and watch with satisfaction as Anouk opens her present. “Oh that dress we saw hanging in Brussels. How beautiful! You remember.” Anouk holds out the dress radiantly. Then she puts it on her lap and admires the fabric. “Wonderful”, she sighs: “Did you drive all the way to Brussels for that?” she glances at the label: “No, they also have an online store,” I reply. Anouk nods happily. Suddenly her nodding stops. She takes the label one more time and takes another closer look. „54? How strange,” she muttered. “The statement says Louise 55.” “That’s right,” I say quickly. “They change that from time to time. The property is also located at two addresses. Do not you remember?”
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