“I want you to go public with what he did. Even if what he did wasn’t strictly illegal, it must’ve been unethical.” The fire of injustice burns in Tegan’s eyes as she talks. “I’m sure Harvard wouldn’t keep such a scum person on their faculty, and I don’t want him to ruin anyone else’s life.”

Lucas was right. Tegan is strong, independent, and empowered. And she’s also right: her father has bullied his last victim.

Twenty-four

Lucas

Mid-session with a new couple, the Friedmans, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I discreetly check the screen, in case it’s an emergency, and discover it’s Jennifer from Listen to Your Heart. I let the call go unanswered. The last thing I need on a Monday morning after the tough weekend in Boston is to talk to my Dating Specialist. And since I’ve learned her tactics the hard way, before she can try my landline, I excuse myself and unhook the receiver on my desk.

“Sorry about that,” I tell my patients as I sit back in my armchair. “Where were we?”

Today, I’m dealing with a distinguished couple in their late fifties, who have shown each other about as much warmth as two ice cubes so far.

Mr. Friedman replies first. “I was telling you how my wife betrayed me.”

“I did no such thing,” his wife snaps. “He’s just sore because he lost his seat in the council.”

“Yes, because I wasn’t willing to sell my soul to get elected!”

I clear my throat. “Are you in politics?”

“We both used to sit on the Lackawanna City Council,” Mrs. Friedman explains, “until last year when he wasn’t reappointed.”

“Because you conspired against me,” the husband cuts in. “She sabotaged me to get a spot for her best friend.”

The wife raises her chin, proud. “I did what I thought best for the city.”

Before Mr. Friedman can spill more venom, I raise my hands to calm their spirits. “Okay, okay, so you’re having a very specific conflict related to this election. Is that when your conjugal problems started?”

The couple blinks at me, as if I’d just asked them to please dance on the couch naked.

I rephrase the question. “How long have you been having issues as a couple?”

The wife scoffs. “When haven’t we had problems?”

“Why choose therapy now, then?”

Mrs. Friedman replies again, “He’s a sore loser, and his constant whining has become unbearable.”

I try a different angle. “Let’s talk about other aspects of your relationship. How is your sex life?”

“Excellent.” The husband surprises me with his answer, but then he adds, “I never take it home.”

The wife doesn’t even flinch.