The Police

David, living in a motel, was doing his best to maintain his medical practice and daily routine. It was difficult. He was heartbroken and scared--afraid of a lonely future without Sue; simply terrified of being alone. He called Susan every day, sometimes twice a day. She usually refused to talk and hung up, and when she would talk, she was aloof--untouched by her husband’s pleas for understanding. 

As days passed, David's despondency grew. His wife’s attitude shocked him--her defiance left him sad, listless and depressed, to the point that he could barely get through the day; after which he would retreat to bed. Sleep was his only escape from the horrible reality of his life. He worked, slept, and worried. He ate little, and within weeks lost over ten pounds. He looked distraught, thin and pale. His patients commented on his distance and lack of attention. They loved their doctor and many voiced concerns about his well being. He wasn’t the Dr. Barnett they knew and trusted.

David drove past his home, without fail, every night, hoping for a glimpse of Susan or the children. On occasion, only after dark, he would park down the street and walk back to the house to look through the windows, doing just about anything to see his family.

Sneaking around in the dark, fantasizing about being back home, made him feel whole again, as well as humiliated and pathetic. He would hide in the bushes around his house, the gigantic house that was supposed to have made his wife happy and save their marriage. It’s an Albatross, he thought. The straw that broke the camels back along with our bank account and our marriage. 

The money the Barnett's had saved over David's six-year career, all went toward building the house; the ostentatious, seven-thousand square foot nightmare he had come to hate. He was,
while living in a motel, paying a huge monthly mortgage for a house he wasn't permitted to enter.

Three weeks after moving out, he was there in the dark, peering through the window of their family room. Sue and the children were gathered around the television. He could hear their laughter; life seemed to be going normally for them. They looked happy. The sight made him miserable and angry. This situation is absurd. He wanted back in with is wife and children--back in his house.

His mounting anger made him impulsive--irrational. He ran from the back yard to the front door and pounded. A light came on in the foyer. The door barely opened as Susan peeked out.

“David, are you nuts? You’re not allowed to be here.”

“Why not? It’s my house, my family.”

“No it isn’t. You’ve lost your privileges. You don’t belong here anymore.”

Susan’s words made his anger soar. He pushed the door wide open.  

“David, get out! I’m calling the police!” Sue ran to the kitchen. 

He was about to step inside when his son ,Peter, appeared in the foyer. “Hi, Dad. Are you okay?”

“Peter, I'm so glad to see you. I’m okay. How you doin’, Pete? Haven’t seen ya for awhile.”

“I miss you, Dad.”

Peter’s words drained the anger from his body; he feared he would start crying. Not wanting his son to witness his grief, he composed himself. “I miss you, too, Pete. I love you.”

Sue reappeared. “Peter, go back to the family room.”

“I better go, Dad. See ya later.”

“Bye, Pete. Hope to see you soon. Love you.”

Susan spoke in an irritating, matter-of-fact tone. “The police are coming. You better leave right now.”

“Why? What can the police do? I haven’t done anything.” 

“David, you idiot. I’ve seen you on your nightly drives by the house. I’ve seen you snooping around the windows. What’s wrong with you? I called my attorney and he’s issued a restraining order. You’re not allowed on the property.”

A police cruiser pulled in the driveway, no lights, no siren. Two officers walked across the lawn toward David. 

“Dr. Barnett?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Doctor, do you know you’re not allowed to be here at your house?”
 
“No, officer. I wasn’t aware of that.”

The second officer spoke. “Mrs. Barnett, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I don’t want him here. He scares me.”

“Okay, Ma’am. Why don’t you go back inside and lock up. We’ll talk with your husband.”

“Thank you. Please make him understand.” Susan closed the door. David heard a click as the door locked.

“Doctor, lets go back to our car and talk.”

David responded politely. “Sure, no problem.”

“Doctor, didn’t you receive notice of a restraining order in the mail?”

“No, sir. I haven’t received most of my mail. I’m staying at a motel on Reynolds Road."

The officers looked at each other, surprised that this wealthy cardiologist was holed up in a motel. “Dr. Barnett, we sympathize with your situation. Since you were unaware of the restraining order, we’re gonna give you a break this time. But you’ve gotta stay away from your wife’s house, understand?”

David resented the statement. “It’s not my wife’s house. I’m paying for it.”

“We know that, sir. Believe me, we'’ve seen many similar situations. Unfortunately, we've also seen things like this get out of hand. People get hurt. We don’t want that and I’m sure you don’t either.”

“No, I don’t. I love my family. I’m both heart broken and pissed off .”

“Doctor, you’re obviously an intelligent man and I wouldn’t think I’d have to tell you how to deal with this. However, in my experience, it’s always best to stay away and let emotions cool down.”

“Yeah, I know that. I also know it’s easier said than done.”

The policeman's demeanor became more serious. “Listen, I have to warn you. We’ve seen you driving through the neighborhood many times. The next time you’ll go to jail. Do you understand that?”

David hesitated. The two men had been professional and polite. Despite that, he was feeling abused. He answered with a terse, “Yes, sir.”

“Doctor, you can go now. Good luck. We really wish the best for you."

The second policeman, who had been silent, spoke. “Be careful, Barnett.” He stepped out of the cruiser and opened the rear door. David slid out and said thank you. The officer smirked and said. We'll be watchin' you, pal." David resented the younger policemans cavalier attitude. He didn't respond. The policeman added, "You're drunk. I wouldn't let you touch me if you were my doctor." Barnett was shocked. The commanding officer yelled, "Leave him alone, White! Get the hell in the car."

The police waited in the drive until David drove away. 

Fifteen minutes later he arrived at his motel. It was well after midnight and he was exhausted. He had a seven a.m. cardiac catheterization scheduled at Toledo Hospital. David hoped for at least four to five hours sleep.