Read Online I Like You Just Fine When You're Not Around by Ann Garvin - Free Book Online

Totally nude except for a pink Donna Karan push-up bra. It’s an oldie, from when he still had his girlish figure, but it’s clearly him.” She added with a hint of wistfulness, “He used to be kind of fun.” Shaking her head, she said, “I can handle him.”
    Tig laughed and Macie, wide-eyed, looked between the two women.
    All business now, Jean said, “Now we have to act fast. One of the first things he’s going to do is sue you and this clinic as a contributing factor to our divorce, but I’m going to deny everything. That’s one of the reasons I’m here.” Jean grinned. “He won’t have a case without my testimony, and there’s no other record if you don’t write it down. No harm, no foul.”
    “Is that legal?” Macie fiddled with her eyebrow ring.
    “Hell, I don’t know. That’s why I’m seeing a lawyer tonight, but I wanted to cover my bases with you.” She took in a deep breath and exhaled. “God, I feel like I’ve been asleep for years. You know how it is. You’re busy with kids, with brushing your teeth and buying more plastic lunch bags. I have a full-time job. I haven’t had the time to hold my husband’s nuts accountable. I’ve just been dealing. That’s what women do.”
    Tig knew this was true. She had counseled scores of married couples that had put up with dismissive, even abusive, behavior from their spouses. Since the idea of “happy” hadn’t been on the horizon for a long time, just plain managing was a large enough goal to strive for. Tig knew a thing or two about managing.
    Jean focused on Tig’s face. “Now listen. Here’s the other reason I’m here. I produce a radio program for WXRT. Last week, my expert on women’s health decided to—get this—have a sex change.” She raised her eyes to the rafters. “No kidding. The world is coming undone. She told me that she believed it was a conflict of interest to continue being the resident expert on women’s health, considering she didn’t want to be a woman anymore. She’s given me a two-week notice. That leaves me with a huge hole in my programming.”
    Tig said, “I’ve listened to that show. Don’t you take questions from callers?”
    Jean smiled. “That’s the one,
Health and Humor with Hannah
. Only we’d have to change it to ‘Harold’ after the hormones kick in, and I’m not sure our listeners will stick with that programming. So, the show runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, just after lunch from one-thirty to three o’clock.”
    Tig nodded her head.
    “I’m thinking you should fill that spot.”
    “Me?”
    “Absolutely. Your brand of counseling is just what the world needs. Straight talking, tell-it-like-it-is therapy.”
    “No, no way. I wasn’t counseling you. I was shooting off my mouth. That wasn’t ethical, and I wouldn’t do it again.”
    “No, I know,” Jean said, shaking her head with enthusiasm. “Of course not. You can’t say ‘douchebag’ on the air.” She held up a finger. “Wait, no, sure you can. Anyway, hear me out. This is something better than traditional therapy, better than shock-jock crap. We’re going to bring the talk shows to our doorstep. You’ll see.”
    “Jean, you know what kind of counselor I am. I try hard to stay kind, just, and sane. I just slipped up.”
    “And look at the great results! You’re supposed to be good at not making judgments too quickly. Look, Newman wasn’t always an ass. He started by testing the waters, like a little kid does. A toe over the line here, a missed dinner there. Then came drinks several nights a week after work, weekend golf junkets with the boys. Sure, I complained, but what kind of leverage do I have—or credibility, for that matter?” Jean looked over to Macie for support.
    Macie raised her eyebrows expectantly, urging Jean on.
    “That’s the trouble, really,” Jean continued. “What was I realistically going to do? I had colicky twins and a gluten allergy. I was killing myself trying to find spelt