121 PROBLEMS

Madison and Ethan headed to a restaurant just around the corner. They sat by the table by the window and ate their meal silently. While they ate, they thought about their marriage and where it was headed. Ethan wanted to save what was left of their marriage, while Madison just wanted space for herself to grasp the reality of it all. "So," Ethan said once the waiter had carried their empty dishes away. "What did you think about the therapist?" "She was okay," Madison replied, taking a sip of her iced tea. "She's right, you know. We both need each other to get over our grief." Madison ignored Ethan and stared outside the window, watching as people passed by, immersed in their own lives' problems. "Maddie," Ethan said, reaching for her hand, but she pulled away immediately, almost spilling her drink on herself. "Could you stop?" She snapped. "Can't you just let me enjoy this peaceful moment? Do you always have to be so suffocating?" Madison's outburst surprised Ethan. He had though