Dreams Can Come True

24. Dinner with Simone and Gorden

The evening had fallen, and after a cozy dinner at Simone and Gorden's, Simone and I found ourselves in the kitchen. We had enjoyed dessert and cleared the table, but the dishes were a chore that couldn't wait. I had decided not to tell Simone about the argument with Bill. I didn't want to burden her with our problems, and besides, I wanted to try to make the evening as pleasant as possible. As we were surrounded by steaming plates and the smell of dish soap, I felt the tension of the past day resurfacing.
Simone, sensing the atmosphere, broke the silence with a thank you for my help. "Thank you for helping me with the dishes," she began. "Alissa didn't make this effort, you know." Her remark was innocent enough but unexpectedly hit me. I smiled and tried to reassure her. "No problem, Simone. This is the least I can do to thank you for the delicious meal," I replied with a smile.
Simone seemed to realize her unintended comment. "Oh, sorry. I probably shouldn't have brought up Alissa," she noted. I shrugged casually. "It's okay, really." Simone smiled in relief. "I'm just so glad you're back, Elise."
Still, the uncertainty about my relationship with Bill hung over me like a shadow. As I stood there, hands in the suds, I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift to Bill. How would he react when I got home? Would he be open to a conversation, or would the distance between us only grow?
Simone noticed that I was lost in thought as I handed her the next plate to dry. She looked at me with concern and asked, "Elise, are you okay?" At that moment, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. The fragile facade behind which I hid my emotions began to crack.
A deep sigh escaped my lips, and I felt the lump in my throat grow bigger. Simone set the dishes aside and came over to me, her kind eyes full of concern. "What's wrong, dear?" she asked in a reassuring tone.
I looked down, trying to keep my emotions in check, but the tears flowed relentlessly down my cheeks. "It's just... Bill and I had a fight," I whispered, trying to express my feelings.
Simone wrapped an arm around me and pulled me gently closer to her. "Oh, Elise, I'm sorry to hear that," she said calmly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Her kindness and compassion gave me the support I so desperately needed at that moment.

"Due to circumstances, I have to leave my apartment," I said, choosing not to tell Simone the full truth. I didn't want to worry her about the break-in and David. "Bill has offered for me to come and live with him and Tom in their apartment," I continued, "but I'm just not ready, Simone," I sobbed further.
Simone gestured for me to sit down at the kitchen table, and I followed her instruction. She took a seat beside me and looked at me kindly. "Oh, sweetheart," she began. "Bill can sometimes be a bit too eager, huh?" I nodded, knowing that his enthusiasm could be overwhelming at times. Simone shared an anecdote from Bill's childhood. "When he was in kindergarten, he also had a sweetheart. He even made a paper ring for her and played wedding. He can be a bit too forward sometimes." My visible concerns about marriage were noted, and I swallowed briefly.
Simone placed her hand on mine and spoke reassuringly. "Don't worry, dear. I've tempered Bill on that front by now. I'm sure that if you have a good talk, you'll figure it out together." I wiped away my tears and forced a smile. "Bill is sometimes really overenthusiastic, but that also means he loves you," Simone added.
Her words brought some comfort, and I appreciated Simone's support. "Thank you, Simone. I hope we can figure it out because I care about Bill too, but I just need some space for myself," I explained.
Simone nodded understandingly. "Everyone needs their own pace and space, Elise. Take the time to think about what you want and discuss it calmly with Bill. He'll understand."

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and pulled it out. "It's Bill calling," I said to Simone. "Go ahead and answer it," she replied, gesturing for her to go back to the living room so that I could talk to him in peace.
I hesitated before pressing the green button and bringing the phone to my ear. "Hi," I said, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.
"Elise, hey," Bill's voice sounded on the other end of the line. There was a hint of concern in his voice, which strangely reassured me.
There was a short silence, as if neither of us knew exactly how to start. Bill broke the impasse first. "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry if I upset you. I realize now that I may have been moving too fast."
I breathed deeply and appreciated his sincerity. "Thank you, Bill. That means a lot that you said that." I felt a mix of emotions and understood that this was the moment to clarify the situation. "I think we need to talk."
"I agree," he replied. "Where are you, actually?"
"I'm at Simone and Gorden's," I answered after a brief hesitation.
"Mum and Gorden?" Bill repeated. "Tom and I will come pick you up, okay?"
I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "Yes, that's fine."
"I miss you, Elise," Bill said then, his voice soft and genuine.
A warm feeling spread through my chest at those words. "I miss you too," I whispered, almost as if I was afraid someone would hear.
The conversation ended with a soft click, and I put my phone down.
With a gentle smile on my face, I returned to the living room. I nodded barely noticeably to Simone, who looked at me with concern. "Tom and Bill are picking me up soon," I announced, my voice sounding calmer than before.