Redemption Lake by Monique Miller Page A

Travis told her. “And since you’re already off for the rest of the week, I guess we can stay and just consider this a long overdue, well deserved vacation.” He smiled. He and Beryl were going to be able to get things back on track. He would do better at home, and Beryl would once again be proud of him.
    He looked over toward the other twin bed that sat against the opposite wall. “And why don’t we go ahead and push these beds together? I’ve missed you, baby.”
    Travis missed his wife so very much. He’d missed the way they used to talk about simple things like their favorite TV shows. He missed the way they used to hold hands whenever they were out in public walking around—be it at the park, in the mall, or even in the grocery store. But most of all he missed the oneness a husband and wife should have behind closed doors in the bedroom.
    It started off with her coming up with excuses as to why she didn’t feel like making love to him. Then one day she told him straight out, that if he didn’t do better around the house and start bringing in some money, he wouldn’t ever feel her warmth next to him in the bed. After that, it was as if there was an imaginary line drawn down the middle of their queen size bed, and he knew not to cross it.
    Beryl started to laugh again, this time pulling away completely. She stood and started pacing the room. “You just don’t get it do you?”
    â€œHuh?” Travis asked.
    â€œWhen in the heck are you going to get a clue? Is this all just a game to you?” Beryl hit her forehead with the palms of her hands. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” She laughed again, looking up toward the ceiling.
    Travis sat looking at Beryl with bewilderment. What in the world was she talking about?
    â€œDarn it! Once again I’ve wasted my hard earned money on you.” She shook her head, continuing to look up at the ceiling. “Now tell me again what we talked about in the session today?” Beryl asked.
    Travis thought about the list he’d memorized earlier, and he rattled off only six of the seven things. And after a couple of uncomfortable moments, he finally remembered the one he’d forgotten. Again he smiled at himself.
    â€œNo, Travis, not the list of skills. Tell me about the skills.”
    Travis hadn’t really paid attention to the specifics of any of the skills. He was so determined to remember the list.
    Beryl folded her arms impatiently as she waited for an answer. “You don’t know the answer, so forget that question. How about if you tell me what love language skill I prefer?”
    Again Travis was a loss for words. He didn’t really have an idea. But he was tired of Beryl looking at him like he was a dunce. So he picked out the first one that came to his head and said, “Quality Time.”
    â€œNo, Travis. And I won’t waste my time asking you to guess again, because that’s all you are doing is guessing. You’d know if you were really listening this afternoon, instead of trying to memorize some list to impress me. It doesn’t impress me. The sad thing is you really only had to remember two things on that list.” Beryl held her index finger up and said, “First, the skill of providing physical wellbeing.” She stared at him like that was supposed to jar his memory. Then she held up her middle finger along with her index finger. “And second, the skill of words. Does either one of those two things mean anything to you?”
    He still didn’t know what Beryl was talking about. Now he wished he had paid a little more attention. Inwardly he chastised himself.
    Without waiting for a response, Beryl continued. “Well, once again, let me school you a little bit, since for some reason, you missed what everybody else heard. Everyone else in that room knows what my preferred love language skill is. I wouldn’t want you to feel left