[ WP ] You are a marriage counselor secretly trying to destroy the marriage of a couple you counsel . It looks like you 're failing .

Dr. Preston sat at his desk, impatiently twirling his pen and shooting glances at the clock. It was ten till eleven, and his clients were very punctual, but the wait was excruciating. These particular clients were seeking martial advice. While not Preston's specialty, not uncommon. His mind had cracked the psychological issues others deemed impossible: histrionic personality disorder, Pica, disassociate disorder. There was even a man with Frotteurism who would not stop assaulting people on the bus before Preston helped him overcome the rape he had endured as a child. It was two till eleven when the doctor heard the door to his lobby open and the couple talk to his receptionist. 
 
 For all his gifts of the mind, Dr. Preston was not a physically impressive specimen. His massive stained oak desk was a safe fortress he could sit behind, without exposing his short legs and thin arms. The woodwork was ornate enough that many patients forgot there was a man behind it at all. Of course he was aware of his own self criticisms and psychosis. Like any good therapist he blamed his mother and older sister. He often sweat the collar of his shirt and tapped his shoes too much whenever he sat down. Spinning his pens was reserved for only the most stressful situations. Carolin was one such situation. 
 
 She was tall, with slender arms, and thin but not so disgustingly underfed like you see younger women now. She had the figure of a mother ( though she had no kids ) and the weight to show for it. But it suited her in Dr. Preston's opinion. She was just round enough to wrap his arms around, though he hard certainly never done so. Her hair was auburn, and it fascinated him to stare at the brownish-red waves. Admittedly he should have been listening, but he was enchanted far beyond professionalism by now. 
 
 On her arm, yes they were linking arms again, was her husband Mark. He was, by typical definitions, handsome. He was a professional runner, long legs and nearly zero body fat by this point. His features were sharp, and his voice was booming ( overpowering even ). But Mark looked different; tired, unwell, and worn-down. The doctor tried not to feel excited at seeing him so weathered in body and spirit. He tried, but failed. 
 
 `` Good morning Stephensons.'' Dr. Preston's tone had a hint of anxiety he could not hide. 
 
 `` Morning doctor,'' Carolin almost bounced with each syllable. 
 
 `` Doctor,'' Mark groaned. His voice was not strong today. In fact, his voice reflected his appearance. He creaked and moaned. 
 
 `` Everything alright here? Mark you seem rather tired. Should we address something in particular immediately?'' His heart raced at the thought of the two fighting all night. 
 
 `` Doctor, I do n't really believe in all this science. I never will, but last night I think we had what you people call a break through.'' Mark collapsed into one of the chairs. Dr. Preston was slightly annoyed it was the chair where morning light came through the window, and he would not be able to watch Carolin's hair today. 
 
 `` Well, enlighten me please! Both of you!'' 
 
 And they spent the next forty-five minutes talking about last night. It started from small thing, like all of their conflicts. She believed he was too cold and analytic, he thought she was unrealistic and childish. She wanted to start having kids now, he thought they were still too young. Then it spiraled. A kitchen sink argument where every little annoyance over the last four years of marriage came back to the surface. Dr. Preston was, at first, very excited. A fight like this often forces a separation. Maybe that was the realization? Maybe he hit her! He could call the police and have Mark out of the picture for a time. Maybe Carolin realized she needs someone intellectual to match her. Someone who also wants kids, and has a high paying job that can support a family. As Preston's mind reeled, he realized he had not been listening to the last ten minutes and missed their revelation. 
 
 `` And... how do you feel about this realization?'' 
 
 `` I could n't sleep all night doc. I could n't believe how heartless I had been to the greatest woman on this planet. I did n't deserve her.'' 
 
 *You're* *damn* *right* *you* *don't*, Preston whispered in his mind. 
 
 `` But I love her. I love her so much I ca n't imagine how I would live with myself if I let her go.'' Mark's voice cracked. He was on the verge of tears. Carolin began rubbing his back as a comfort. 
 
 `` We're ready to really try and fix this Dr. Preston. Everything came out last night and when it was all done we realized we still love each other. We're ready.'' Carolin smiled with tears in her gorgeous eyes. 
 
 Preston sunk in his seat. His foot tapped, he twirled his pen, he even ground his teeth ( probably because of his father ). He had been steering them towards conflict for weeks, but it was supposed to happen in the office! The argument could be pruned and directed as he saw fit! Now it was all for nothing! Carolin smiled again at the doctor. He was not deterred. 
 
 `` Well it looks like we've made some real progress here. Let's pick up here next week and keep the momentum going.'' 
 
 They rose to leave, holding hands like high school sweethearts. Preston new this move would make him a bastard, but Mark deserved it. It was just the truth right? He stood up from his chair, behind the desk. 
 
 `` And Mark, for the record, I think it was very brave of you to admit to the affair a few months ago.'' 
 
 That had been Mark's confession during an individual session. He knew Mark was too big a coward to admit that. Carolin's breakdown would be tremendous, and who better to help her at this time of need than her psychologist. There was no way Mark had told her that last night. 
 
 `` It still hurts to think about, but you made me realize it was the right thing to do doc. One day I'll earn Carolin's forgiveness, I hope.'' Mark closed the office door behind him. 
 
 Preston sank back into his chair. What he had just attempted began to sink into his conscious. He did n't deserve Carolin. Maybe he did n't deserve anyone after trying something like that. 
 
 `` Stephanie can you cancel the rest of my appointments for today. I forgot something important and need to go take care of it.''
