Dreams Can Come True

20. Wrangle

The evening stood in stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere I had hoped to create. I had just given Elise the key to our apartment, hoping to offer her a home. My words were filled with sincerity, but her reaction left me stunned for a moment. "No, Bill," she said firmly, "I still want to keep my own apartment."
I felt a pang in my heart. Wasn't my gesture enough? I looked at her, and the disappointment in my eyes was probably hard to miss. "Elise, why? I just want you to be safe here, to feel at home," I said with a hint of frustration. "And besides, this isn't just my decision, Tom is on board too. We want you to feel at home," I added.
She sighed and looked me straight in the eyes. "Bill, it's not that I don't appreciate your help, but I've always been taught to stand on my own two feet. I don't want to depend on others, not even you."
Her words cut through me. I had hoped this gesture would bring us closer together, but instead, it seemed to create a divide. My heart contracted as I tried to find the right words.
"We can build a home together, Elise," I said, my hands searching for hers.
She withdrew gently. "I've always wanted to have my own place, Bill. I don't want to give that up."
I clenched my fists under the covers, my own frustration and concern bubbling to the surface. "Of course, I understand you want to be independent, but I don't want you to be in danger, Elise. With David still out there, it would be better if you were here, where I can take care of you."
Elise looked me straight in the eye, her gaze reflecting determination. "David will never find out my new address. And I'm strong enough to take care of myself."
The words hung in the air, and I felt the distance between us growing. "Elise, it's just that I don't want to lose you. I don't want anything to happen to you."
She sighed deeply again and avoided my gaze. "Bill, it's not that I don't want to, but I also want to keep my own place. That apartment will be a part of me, my own space is important to me."
"I just don't understand," I muttered more to myself than to her. "Why wouldn't you want to live together, don't we already share everything with each other?"
She shook her head, her gaze fixed on a random point in the room. "I need this, Bill. Don't you understand?"
A knot of frustration formed in my stomach. "But we're a team, Elise. I want to take care of you. You don't have to do everything alone," I said, but my words seemed to disappear into the air.
Elise's gaze trailed over my face, and her lips trembled as she replied, "I understand you want to take care of me, but I need to do this myself. It doesn't mean I don't care about you."
I lay in bed, speechless, as the space between us widened like a chasm. "I understand you need your own space, but I just want you to understand that I always want to be there for you, in whatever form," I whispered, my eyes searching hers for a glimmer of understanding.
The seconds ticked like hours, and finally, she looked at me, her eyes filled with doubt. "I need time, Bill. Please give me time."
I tried to imagine what it would be like if she had her own apartment, while I envisioned a place for both of us.
"Bill, please," Elise pleaded, her eyes tinged with sadness. "Let's not fight about this. I'm tired, and I just want to go to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day."
I felt anger and disappointment welling up inside me, but I knew that arguing further wouldn't help either of us. With a sigh, I relented, though my pride almost stopped me.
Elise turned away and got under the covers without even giving me a kiss.
"Fine, go to sleep," I muttered, turning away to hide my frustration. "We'll talk more tomorrow."

I woke up, my eyes slowly adjusting to the sunlight streaming through the curtains. The first thought that crossed my mind was a longing for the warmth of Elise beside me. I looked at the empty spot next to me in bed and felt an immediate pang of concern. Had she already gotten up? My hand automatically searched for her, but only found the cool sheets.
I sat up abruptly and looked around the bedroom. No sign of Elise. My heart started beating faster, and I jumped out of bed, determined to find her before she might possibly leave. As I rushed to the living room, the words of the argument we had the night before haunted my mind, only increasing my anxiety.
In the kitchen, I saw her sitting with Tom behind her laptop, and a sigh of relief escaped my mouth. She was still here. My worry melted away, but the memories of the argument hung like a shadow in the air. I held my breath for a moment, unsure how to behave after what had happened.
"Good morning," I greeted, my voice a bit hoarse. Elise looked up from her laptop and smiled weakly. "Hey," she said.