We Need to Do This

by elsiecarson

Richard decides to go to counselling with or without Hyacinth and he's booked a week with Dr. Bernie Feld in Hope Springs, Maine. He has to try and persuade Hyacinth to come with him.

2. Sadness and Determination

Hyacinth comes into the bedroom and Richard turns away from her so she can't see him cry. He bites his lip so she can't hear him either. He hears Hyacinth drop her shoes in the closet and he knows she's changing into her nightgown. They used to change in front of each, but they won't anymore. He's not sure why.

Hyacinth falls asleep quickly when she climbs into her bed on the other side of the room. Richard lies awake looking at the ceiling. He wakes up early the next morning and quietly packs his suitcase while his wife's still asleep. He carries his suitcase downstairs and puts it by the front door. He walks back upstairs and wanders around wondering if this is going to be his last time in this house. He looks in his son's room which is so full of memories. He goes back into his bedroom and looks at his wife for a moment before he goes into the closet, pulls out another suitcase and carefully packs some of Hyacinth's dresses in it. He puts the suitcase on the bench at the foot of Hyacinth's bed. He goes downstairs to make himself a cup of tea. He hears Hyacinth's alarm go off upstairs and he sighs heavily. Soon she'll be downstairs fussing in no time. He sets her boarding pass and passport next to her plate. He pours himself a cup of tea and a bowl of cereal. Hyacinth comes down already dressed and begins making breakfast for herself.

"Your boarding pass and passport are both there, Hyacinth. The plane leaves at 11:30. I'll be on it. I hope you will too." Richard says casually. He finishes his cereal and heads upstairs to get dressed and ready for his trip.

Hyacinth continues to eat her breakfast and read the newspaper. The house already feels empty and Richard hasn't even left yet. She can hear him moving upstairs and suddenly she's unsure if he'll be back and she's scared. She doesn't want to lose him, but she's not sure she's ready for this either.

Richard comes downstairs and tucks his razor and toothbrush into the bag with his other essentials. He tucks his wallet, boarding pass, and passport into his inside pocket. He sees the taxi pull up and hears the horn honk. He leaves the house carrying his suitcase before Hyacinth can stop him.