Read Online Husband Rehab by Curtis Hox - Free Book Online Page B

silly, old man’s jig, and he continues to sing even though he’s trying to bite his hand.  
    “Mr. Brookings,” Josie says, as the embarrassing performance continues, “you’re here because you like to tell lies. Most of them are white lies, sure, but some aren’t. That bit about your taxes is a problem. You should tell your wife the truth. How this works is that any time you try to fib, you won’t be able to. Do you understand?”
    He nods, continuing to sing. He glares at her with the sort of fear and hatred that men once had for women like her—except there is no real fight in him. He knows when he’s beat, obviously. The song and dance continue, as they will for the next fifteen minutes.
    “You understand what I did to you, and what I am, so you know this is real and works. Think of me and this therapy as a way to save your marriage.”
    She smiles as he dances for the exit, hands on mouth, as if nothing else in the world matters but escaping.
    Could be an easy case, she thinks, and hopes.
    Stella Spivey appears in the doorway. She’s wearing linen slacks that probably came from Nordstrom’s or somewhere fancy, an open silk blouse with pink paisley’s, and garish gold bracelets that encircle her forearms. Josie feels instant jealousy she looks so good.  
    “There you are,” Stella says as if they’re the best of friends. “I’ve been looking all over for you. This house is huge.”
    “It’s easy to get lost.”
    “How may floors?”
    “Four, plus the basement levels. The top two floors are closed. Only a bit of the basement is in use.”
    “Shame, I bet this was the place to be when it was built.”
    Josie nods, considering sharing some of the history but deciding not to. Stella Spivey is the enemy, as sure as she is standing there. For some reason her husband came running to Josie in his time of need. Stella has to be the guilty one.  
    “Have you spoken to Lennox this morning?” she asks.
    “I did.”
    “What did he tell you?”
    “That you two are having problems.”
    Stella wanders into the billiard room and looks around, nodding with appreciation but careful not to get dust on her clothes. “My father was a pool player, a good one. I never cared for it much.” She runs a nailed finger along the green felt-like, worsted-wool top. “What do you think you can do for my husband?”
    Josie catches her breath at the venom leaking from the woman’s lips. She knows that tone. Stella Spivey is a crafty witch, a lone-wolf who never speaks about her abilities. However, she must have some skills with craft, maybe even some true talent, to talk like that.
    “I’m new to this. I wasn’t even aware he was coming. He didn’t tell me any specifics.”
    “No?” Stella says, appearing relieved. “Then you haven’t prescribed any … therapy ?”
    Ah, here it is, Josie thinks, one witch challenging another over her craft. She wants to know what I’ve done, or plan to do. But I don’t even know the real problem yet. Besides, something about all this suggests their problems aren’t normal, everyday, husband-and-wife problems. This is probably way out of my reach. Christine might be able settle it with the help of the coven.
    Stella moves closer, one confidant to another. “He won’t listen to me anymore.”
    “Listen?”
    “You know: do what I say.”
    “What do you mean, exactly? Like clean up after himself or help with the dishes?”
    Stella composes herself, a woman aware she’s in the lime light. “You have no idea, do you?”
    “Not really …”
    Stella smiles, laughs a little, even cocks her head. “I was worried for nothing.” She walks past Josie. “This was a mistake. He’ll see that. I’ll be taking him home with me today.”  
    “Uhm, yeah, I don’t think that’ll work. He can’t leave the house.”
    “Can’t leave the house?”
    “Roxy’s doing. It’s to make sure the guys hang around, at least for the weekend. So they can understand what needs to