Doctor Charles sat there watching the behavior of his friend, who was crying like a baby by now, without harsh anything.
After waiting some time, letting Will vent, the psychiatrist got up and took a handkerchief and a glass of water walked over to him and gave it to him.
Taking his napkin, Dr. Halstead wiped his eyes and after regaining some composure after taking a sip of water, clearing his throat, said:
- I'm sorry... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that ... -
- And why not Will? - asked the psychiatrist - we are human, you can't keep everything inside. -
- I ... I ... no, I can't ... I mustn't ... but I'm so tired .- said the doctor.
- I guess how you feel - Daniel said
- No! - Will answered decisively, turning towards his friend, looking him in his eyes for a few moments and then turning towards the window - Nobody can understand how I feel. I thought that after I returned to Chicago I would get my life, my family, my job back. And instead? I am here living in terror for myself and my loved ones. -
- Will, life cannot pick up where you left it, nothing is as it is when they took you away to put you in the witness protection program. We are not in a movie where you can just pause and restart whenever you want and everything is exactly as you left it. Things change, you have changed. You lived an experience that marked you deeply. You are a completely different man now. - said Dr. Charles
Halstead listened carefully to what his friend was saying and then added without turning to look at him:
- Yes, but this is not life. I live in a nightmare, in total fear that something might happen to my loved ones, to Natalie, to little Owen, to Jay. That damn almost killed me and Natalie in that accident and then not happy he also shot me. -
Saying the last sentence he turned to stare at Charles. His big brown eyes, always sunny and smiling, were now a distant memory. What the psychiatrist saw were eyes veiled with deep sadness and big tears began to fall from them again.
It was painful for Charles to see his friend so shattered.
- I can not tell you when it will end, but I can help you and be close to you .- said the man.
- To get you in trouble too, no thanks .. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me. You saw what happened to Natalie.- Halstead replied immediately firmly.
- Will what has been has been. It's not your fault. Natalie is fine, you too ... that's the important thing - said the psychiatrist.
- It wasn't supposed to happen! - Halstead said in a firmer, more determined tone. A great anger filled his body. He was mad at himself. - I should have said no! I should have refused, I ... I ... -
Will was now a river in flood, he was pulling out everything he had kept inside.
Dr. Charles was by his side, he knew that this was what his friend and colleague needed right now. He had to get it all out, he had to let off steam.