Here is the second part of the story! Enjoy.
The Darkest Hour
Chapter 2: Depression Hurts
"Clarisse, I have made an appointment with the family physician to come to the palace and take a look at you. I am very worried about you dear. Come, now, eat something. Please, for me?"
Clarisse nodded and Joseph fixed her a bowl of fruit and toast but she took one bite and pushed it away.
"Darling, what is the matter? Why will you not eat anything?"
"Joseph, I don't know. All I know is that I am not hungry. If I make myself eat, I will get sick. You know that."
Clarisse simply said as the doorbell rang. She went to open it and saw the doctor waiting.
"Oh, Dr. Henry, please do come in."
Clarisse and Joseph welcomed the doctor into their living room. The doctor opened his briefcase and took out a pencil and pad and began asking Clarisse and Joseph some questions.
"How long have the two of you been married?"
"Almost a year."
Clarisse answered.
"In that year, how has Clarisse acted around you, Joseph?"
"Well, she's been loving and doting, energetic and very vigorous."
"Does she act that way now?"
"No. Not at all. She's lethargic, sluggish, and very somnolent."
"How was your love life when you were first married, Clarisse?"
"Well, I guess one would describe it as exciting, stimulating, and very rousing."
"Is it like that now?"
"Again, no, not at all. I seem tired, and don't want to do much of anything. I barely have the energy to raise my arms to wash my hair when I am in the shower. Much less make love to my husband."
"I see. Joseph have you been noticing any horrid thoughts from your wife?"
Horrid? Could you give examples?"
"As in suicide, harmful thoughts."
"Well, no suicide, but she did pass out in the bathtub."
Clarisse put her hand on her head, revealing her wrists to the doctor. He saw that she had bruises and marks that looked like scars.
"Clarisse, what are these marks on your wrists?"
The doctor asked, but knew very well what they were. She had been trying to commit suicide but without Joseph knowing about it.
"Well…I…er…"
"Well Clarisse?"
Joseph asked, raising his eyebrows. He knew now that she had been up to something and not been telling him.
"They are slash marks. That's the reason I passed out in the tub. I have been trying to commit suicide all week and I guess I just passed out from all the trying. I had tried to cut my wrists, but the blade wasn't sharp enough and didn't cut the skin. I lost a little blood, but not enough for anything bad or serious to happen."
"Thank God! Clarisse, what were you thinking?"
"Joseph, don't lash out on her, she's in a state of…how can I put this without making you emotional…Depression. I am diagnosing you with Clinical Depression."
The doctor stated, while writing out an antibiotic pill to get filled and take.
"What? How did this come about?"
"Well, Joseph, Depression can be from anything. The state they are in mentally at the present time, or something that happened in their past, anything really. Here, take this to the local drugstore, and get it filled, and then follow the directions on the label. This is not something that can be cured, you will have it forever, but if you take these, it will stay under control. If you have any other problems, please feel free to ask."
The doctor gave Joseph the prescription and Joseph walked him out to the door.
"Thank you so much doctor. I will be sure she takes these like she is supposed to."
Joseph shook the doctor's hand and walked back to a shocked Clarisse.
"Darling, don't beat yourself up. It's alright."
Clarisse began to cry again. It tore Joseph's heart out to see the love of his life broken up like this.
"Darling, please don't cry. If you are afraid that this will affect our relationship, don't be. I will not love you any less. You are my life, my love Clarisse. I love you. This just shows me how much you need me now more than ever before. I will be here beside you to take care of you, love. Trust me?"
"Always. I love you so much."
Joseph nodded in agreement and kissed his wife on the lips and carried her upstairs and tucked her in to bed. He jumped in the shower and started wondering what happened or what was happening to Clarisse for her to be depressed. He got out of the shower and was about to ask Clarisse the question on his mind, when he found her fast asleep on the bed.
"It'll have to wait until the morning, I guess."
Joseph smiled and kissed his wife goodnight and crawled in beside her. Maybe he could figure out tomorrow what was troubling her. Tonight, he just needed to dream of sweet wonderful thoughts. Yes, Depression hurts.