Over the next week, Jack's headaches worsened as much that even his boss once sent him home, telling him to see a doctor, which – of course – Jack didn't do. However he knew he couldn't just go home as Rose would ask questions; questions that he wasn't prepared to answer.
He had seen her look at him like she already knew something was happening, like something wasn't really alright. Still he himself refused to admit to himself that his headache was more than one pain in the head and not simply caused by the weather.
Somehow he started asking himself, if this was maybe fate's revenge for him having interfered into Cal's and Rose's…no, this was utter nonsense. Rose had herself chosen to be with him.
While he was walking around in the streets, he came across some little pub. It was a little after high noon and Jack decided to just have one beer.
Afterwards he was always feeling a little better. Jack couldn't know however that alcohol was only making it worse.
….
When he got home it was just after three in the afternoon and of course Rose, along with Ruth, was wondering why he was already here. Both women instantly noticed the smell of alcohol.
Ruth shot Jack a look, while Rose at first didn't really know what to do. The memory of Cal and his drinking habit was still all too fresh in her mind. What if Jack now started to be like her former fiancée?
Ruth's gaze turned from her daughter to Jack and back. At first she wanted to scold him herself, but realized that she better leave this task to her daughter. Something was terribly wrong here and she wondered, if Jack would tell Rose now.
"I'm going to take a nap," she announced while getting up.
Jack and Rose both watched her getting out of the room and waited until they were sure that she couldn't hear them anymore.
Jack turned his attention back to his wife, his head bent down slightly, already knowing what would follow.
Why had he even visited this bar?
Frankly he didn't understand any of it. With Fabrizio they had often drunk beer, more than he did now in fact, but he had never felt its influence albeit he had taken much more than today.
Why on earth was he now feeling dizzy from just one?
The awkward silence was making him edgy.
"Rose, please say something," he begged her silently.
What could she say?
Cal had been drunk quite often and had hit her, whenever she had complained about it. And Jack, the way he was watching her, the way his eyes looked, staring blankly, it reminded her so much of her former fiancé.
Didn't I tell him that I don't like him drinking?
Rose signed heavily.
"I'm sorry," he choked out, but Rose just shook her head.
True she knew that Jack wasn't Cal, but she had simply heard that sentence too often already to still believe it.
Sure Jack wouldn't raise his hand against her, but…just the way he looked at her now was making her nervous.
"Rose, I…I realize how this must sound like, but…"
She stopped him by putting her hand up.
"Don't…please don't; don't tell me anymore of these lame excuses. I've had too much of them already. Cal he…"
At the mentioning of his name, Jack sensed that there was more to this story quickly moving up to her, sitting beside her, hugging her close, but Rose pushed him away increasing the space between them.
I told you not to drink, didn't I?
Jack understood her without saying it.
"Rose, I love you and you know that I will never do anything to hurt you," he said with urgency taking up her hand in his.
"Maybe not on purpose," Rose sadly and quietly choked out, making Jack's heart break slowly.
He sighed once more, angry about him himself.
He really didn't why he was there and even more, why suddenly a normal beer was doing this to his body.
Maybe Ruth had been right?
Maybe he should follow her and his bosses' advice and see a doctor?
"Rose, I…," he started again, wanting to explain everything.
Rose turned around to him, her eyes staring blankly. She didn't have the strength for a discussion at this moment.
"I think you should at first…lie down a bit, you know," she told him looking him firmly in the eyes.
Jack understood what she was trying to say and got up.
"As you wish," he said.
When he was gone Rose borrowed her head in her hands, asking herself what had suddenly gotten into her Jack.
Why was he so completely different now?
Rose let the tears flow freely now and only stopped after a few minutes. Then someone handed her a handkerchief. Thankfully she took it at first thinking it was Jack, but when she turned around she came face to face with Roger Lindsay.
"I'm not all the awful you know, my dear," he told her with his ever so mischievous voice.
"Thanks," Rose said taking the handkerchief "…but I'd prefer to be alone now," she added standing up.
"Of course, my dear," he moved aside "Don't forget my words however, if you should ever need help you've just to come and ask."
He smiled as he watched her ascending up the stairs.