The waiting was hard. She kept glancing at the closed door to Dr. Hess' office, then sighing as she turned the pages to a magazine she was not even really comprehending. Nate would get the help he needed, she knew it...he just needed time. She loved him so much.<br/><br/>She was daydreaming about their time in high school. He had been a shy boy, but so handsome and athletic. She had a crush on him from the first time she saw him. It had been her move to talk to him, he seemed to be too afraid of rejection to talk to her. It had started so simple.<br/><br/>"Hello, I have seen you in my English class. Mr. Jones is such a stickler for grammar...I am Kari Jeffries."<br/><br/>"Uh...hi..I'm Nate..."<br/><br/>He had been so shy he only spoke in short bursts. But when she smiled at him, he smiled back. Like the sun coming out on a cloudy day.<br/><br/>Kari's reverie had relaxed her so much it startled her when Dr. Hess appeared and spoke to her.<br/><br/><strong>“Kari? I’m sorry for that, sometimes men just need to talk first. He’s a little edgy, I guess that can be expected. He’s been through a lot and so have you I’m sure. Why don’t I give you two a minute alone and I.. “ </strong><br/><br/>She looked at him with wide brown eyes. Dr. Hess seemed kind and competent, like he knew what he was doing. His glance at her bare arms sent a jolt through her. He saw the bruises, she could not hide them now. A flicker of fear crossed her face. Usually she wore long sleeves to hide the bruises. Nate was stronger than he knew, and her skin was delicate, easily bruised. He did not mean to hurt her. She had to believe that. He loved her so much, he was so possessive...<br/><br/><strong>“..I’ll just uh..need to go down here for a moment..I’ll be right in.” </strong>Dr. Hess seemed distracted.<br/><br/>Kari nodded, putting the magazine down and getting up to walk briskly back to the office. She opened the door and slipped in, going to Nate and putting her arms around him in a brief hug. "Everything will be fine, Nate. You will get better and we can relax and live our lives normally again." as soon as she said it she regretted it. She went to straighten up, worried he would grab her as he once did and nearly choke her in his rage. Would he restrain himself here in the doctor's office?