Hyacinth shakes her head as they leave the office "I can't ask for this book! Just look at the title!" Hyacinth passes Richard the paper.
Richard's eyes widen as he too looks at the title. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I'll be alright. I'm a big girl. Get us a table in the diner and I'll be right there." Hyacinth says with determination.
"Here darling, you'll need American money." Richard puts two bills in Hyacinth's hand before he leans in and kisses her cheek and says, "Be brave, my heart."
Hyacinth walks with purposeful steps across the street to the bookstore. She walks in and walks up to the clerk at the front counter. "Dr. Feld sent me to pick up a book."
"I know the one you're after, ma'am. Don't be embarrassed. It's a good book. I've read it myself. It's right here under the counter. It's fifteen dollars, ma'am." The female clerk says reassuringly.
"Thank you for your help." Hyacinth takes her package from the clerk.
"Good luck. Dr. Feld is very good. He'll be able to help."
Hyacinth heads back to the diner and finds Richard quickly. "That was easier than I thought."
"That's good. How do you feel about today? I ordered you a cup of tea, by the way." Richard says. He stands up when Hyacinth joins him.
"Thank you. I feel quite optimistic. We were both open and honest. We said things we've never said to each other before. I think we're going to be okay." Hyacinth smiles gently.
"I think so too. When you go down to the beach do you want to go on your own?" Richard asks as he tries to peruse the menu at the same time as listening to his wife.
"I think I'd like to go on my own. I just need to clear my mind and do some thinking. Will you be alright on your own for awhile?" Hyacinth asks sweetly.
"Yes, I'll be fine. We should spend some time apart to gather our thoughts and prep for tomorrow. Don't be too late though. We've got homework to do and I don't know about you but I'm exhausted." Richard says as he sets his menu aside.
"I am tired, but at least our homework is fun. For the first time in my life I'm not dreading doing my homework." Hyacinth says cheekily.
Richard smiles at his wife when the waitress comes over. "What can I get you?"
"What's the soup and sandwich special?" Hyacinth asks.
"It's a club sandwich and seafood chowder," the waitress tells Hyacinth.
"I'll have that, thank you." Hyacinth crosses her ankles under the table and as she does this her foot brushes Richard's leg.
"I'll have the B.L.T. on white and soup, please." Richard tries to ignore the feeling of Hyacinth's foot against his leg.
The waitress walks away and Hyacinth says, "You know I already feel really good about this. You've said things I never thought you'd ever say. Thank you for being so honest, Richard. I know this wasn't my idea, but I appreciate it very much."
"I'm proud of you, Hyacinth. I was really worried about this. I was worried that it wasn't going to go very well because you were so upset when I suggested this. You certainly altered your opinion. What changed?" Richard asks gently.
"I realized you were right. Things weren't good and I'd ignored it. I stood at the front window and watched you leave for the airport and I realized in the first five minutes that I didn't want to lose you. I've never packed so quickly in all my life. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't know what to expect when I got on the plane either, but you were your usual self and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I've been scared since I left the house." Hyacinth admits.
"There's no reason for you to be scared. We can fix everything." Richard says gently.
"I know that now! When you suggested this I didn't know what to expect; in fact, I practically expected that we would be taking separate flights to separate lives. It's nice to know that won't be happening." Hyacinth says quietly.
"You know the night that I suggested all this and you dismissed it I went upstairs and cried. I thought we were over. I didn't want you to know before, but I feel comfortable telling you now." Richard admits quietly.
"Oh darling, I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I didn't think about what I said and how it would affect you before I said it." Hyacinth says seriously. "I still haven't learned to think before I speak apparently."
Richard smiles and it reminds Hyacinth of a time when they were young and they went on a date to a local diner in their hometown. Their waitress comes over with their meal. "Enjoy your lunch. By the way, I couldn't help but over hear your conversation and if you trust in Dr. Feld and go through the process you'll come out the other side more in love than you ever have been before. Trust him, he changes lives. I see it all the time."
"Thank you for the advice." Richard says sweetly.
"You're so good with people, Richard. I wouldn't have been as patient with her." Hyacinth compliments him.
"It just seems as if everyone in the town is willing to help and wants us to succeed. I've never felt such support from strangers before." Richard explains.
"I agree with that. Even the young woman who helped me in the bookstore wants us to succeed." Hyacinth picks up her spoon and begins to eat her soup.