Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Two

'It's nice to finally meet you,' Carole smiled as Landon and Ecie sat down in front of her. 'My name is Carole; although I'm sure Ecie's already told you a lot about me.'

'Yeah,' Landon smiled nervously. 'She's told me quite a bit.'

'Are you nervous?' Carole asked.

'Just a little,' Landon replied. 'I've never really done this before.'

'Well you've got nothing to worry about, does he Ecie?'

'Not at all,' Ecie grinned at Landon. 'It's fine, she's really nice.'

Landon nodded.

'Okay then,' Carole began. 'I know you're a really busy man and this probably messed up your schedule, but thank you so much for coming. I already told Ecie, but I think you being here is what we need in order for Ecie to move on and progress further.'

'I totally agree,' Landon nodded. 'I'm ready to jump right in.'

'That's perfect,' Carole smiled. 'Now I asked Ecie to prepare a little list for me. Did you do it Ecie?'

'I sure did,' Ecie grinned pulling out a folded sheet of paper from her brown Alexander Wang leather Rocco bag. 'It's right here.'

'That's good,' Carole said. 'I asked Ecie to make a list of things she was scared or nervous about in your relationship.'

Landon looked at Ecie.

'I forgot to get him to make one...' Ecie said slowly. 'That doesn't matter does it?'

Carole shook her head. 'Not at all, he can still do this exercise.'

Landon looked confused. 'I'm a little lost now.'

'That's fine,' Carole said. 'If Ecie starts then maybe it'll become clearer in a moment. Ecie?'

Ecie looked down at her list then bit her bottom lip nervously.

'Okay Ecie,' Carole said. 'What is the first thing on your list? It's okay, just take your time.'

Ecie nodded and took a deep breath. 'I'm scared that I'm going to need Landon's help and he won't be there.'

Landon looked at Ecie. 'Really?'

'This is it guys,' Carole said. 'This is what I've been talking about. You need to communicate.'

'What do you mean?' Landon looked at Ecie. 'I'm always going to be there...'

'But what if you're not...'

'I have never given you a reason to think that,' Landon said. 'The only times when I haven't been there is when you haven't talked to me. I have to follow you or read between the lines with you, because I never know what's going on with you.'

'Go on Ecie.'

'I'm scared that you're going to hit me...'

Landon stared in disbelief. 'Now I know you're kidding me. Seriously? You think I'm going to hit you? Why the hell would you even think that?!'

'Okay Landon,' Carole said. 'Try and stay calm. We're supposed to be talking.'

'I think that is absolute bullshit,' Landon said sitting back in his chair. 'How can you sit there and even think those things?'

'You might do,' Ecie replied. 'You might get mad...'

'I'm not hearing this right now,' Landon scoffed shaking his head. 'All these things you're saying are coming out from nowhere. What are you talking about?'