Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 137 The Silent Treatment

*James*

I've never encountered a more emotionally unstable group of people in my life. Nate is dodging Julia, Paul is giving her the cold shoulder, and Julia is a wreck because of it all. I get why Nate is avoiding her; he's trying to give her the space she asked for. But because Julia said she wants to be single for a while to focus on her health, Paul has completely shut her out. He escorts her to and from sessions, appointments, and the cafeteria, but doesn't utter a single word to her. What a soap opera!

Paul has switched back to his public persona: full-on bodyguard mode. Even in the privacy of the apartment, he is silent, guarded, and stone-cold towards Julia, showing no emotion. He remains professional and does his job well, but that's it. He talks to me just fine, but this is Paul's way of either punishing Julia or punishing himself. I suspect it's the latter. I know Paul.  He's probably kicking himself for letting Julia in.  Paul opened up to Julia, something Rossi just doesn't do. He confided in her and told her how he's wanted to be with her from the very beginning. Now he's shutting the door on her. Back to Bodyguard Paul.

I still can't believe Nate checked himself out of this place. I see him around, and he's still going to his AA meetings, but he needs more than just those sessions. Staying in the Avalon could have helped him get back on track. He's in the middle of detox and looks like a total mess whenever I see him. Julia is devastated. As a caretaker, she feels responsible for Nate's well-being. Trevor mentioned that detoxing solo is no walk in the park. Julia is convinced that Nate will relapse because of her decision. She'll blame herself, and we'll be back to square one with her emotional health.

I make myself available to Julia in any way I can. To talk or listen or just be here for her. It's all I can do. The rest is up to those two dingbats.

"Morning." I gaze at Julia. We both lie on our sides, facing each other in bed.

"Morning." Her eyes well up before she is even fully awake. Her depression is worsening.

"Today will be a good day. Ok?" I gently caress her cheek and we brace ourselves for another morning. A morning where Julia assists me with every tiny aspect of getting ready. She puts toothpaste on my toothbrush. Helps me wash my face. Removes the cap from the deodorant. Every minuscule part of my routine is accomplished with Julia's help.

I can dress myself now, as long there are no buttons or zippers involved. Tying my sneakers? Forget it. Putting on socks? That's a ten-minute struggle. And if something's inside out, I'm doomed. Julia remains patient through it all, then she gets herself ready, and we head to the kitchen.

 Paul doesn't look up from his newspaper.

"We're still doing this?" Julia lets out a frustrated sigh when Paul doesn't answer. She sits right across from the guy but he pays no attention to her.

"Paul, please. Can you just talk to me??"

"Almost time to go." He mutters from behind the newspaper.  I rub Julia's back when I see her begin to cry. Paul doesn't notice because he doesn't look away from the paper.

"James, Trevor isn't around this morning so you will come with us to the cafeteria. Julia has to go or Dr. Cohen will be on her back." Paul talks to me like Julia isn't in the room. I cock my head to the side at him and give him a look. He raises the newspaper back up.

Stubborn ass.

We all head to the cafeteria and Julia helps me grab a bite to eat. I sit on one side of her, Paul on the other and Mike across from us. Dr. Cohen is in the room which makes us all feel uneasy. I can tell being in here with all these people is hard for Julia. She's struggling with eating her breakfast.