Chapter 4
Chapter Four
I lose myself in the lines of my latest sketch, barely noticing the sunlight shifting across my desk throughout the afternoon. My hand moves almost of its own accord, filling page after page with designs that flow from my imagination. It’s only when my stomach growls that I realize how much time has passed.
Glancing at the clock, I wince. It’s almost 10 PM, and I promised to make dinner tonight. But where is Jeremy? I grab my phone and send him a text.
Me
Honey, is everything okay?
My back aches from hours of sketching. I should probably get up. What’s the point of making a meal when we’ll probably eat in silence, if we even eat together at all? Still, I promised. I pull out some meat and begin cooking.
Maybe tonight will be different. Maybe we can watch a movie or just talk over a glass of wine.
Anything to bridge this gap between us. I’m so lost in thought that I nearly slice my finger, the knife coming dangerously close to my skin.
The sound of the front door opening sends a jolt through me. I quickly wipe my hands on a dish towel and head to the living room.
“Hey,” I say as he walks in, his pant buckle already loosened. “How was your day?”
He grunts in response, hanging up his hard hat by the door. “Long. Exhausting. The usual.”
I bite my lip, watching as he collapses onto the couch, eyes already fixed on his phone.
“It’s almost 10. Where were you?”
“Took longer than usual with some power lines.”
“Want to watch a movie tonight?” I ask. “Or just talk for a bit? Since it’s a Friday, we could stay up late?”
He looks up, his brow furrowing. “Alexis, I’m beat. Can’t we just have a quiet night?”
Something in me snaps. “That’s all we ever have!” I yell. “I just want to spend time with you! Even if it’s just a movie in our bed!”
He sighs angrily, his face hardening. “I don’t even have time for myself! I don’t have time for anything anymore!” He kicks the empty soda box we left on the floor, sending it skidding across the room.
I feel the burn of tears welling in my eyes. This isn’t how I wanted this to go. It never is, but somehow, we always end up here. “We‘ve barely spent any time together,” I murmur, sinking onto the sofa.
He doesn’t respond. He just sits there, staring at the wall, jaw clenched. The silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating.
“It’s almost eleven.” I say, standing up. “I’m going to head to bed after finishing cooking.”
As I walk toward our bedroom to grab a hand towel from the clean laundry basket, I hear him padding behind me. I pause at the doorway, turning to face him. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something—regret? Sadness? Before I can decipher it, he steps forward and wraps his arms around me.
I stiffen at first, surprised by the sudden contact, but then I melt into his embrace. We stand there for a long moment, neither of us speaking. There’s still so much unsaid between us, so many issues to work through. But for now, this quiet moment of connection feels like a lifeline.
He pulls back slightly, his hand cupping my cheek. “I’m sorry,” he places his hand on my shoulder. “I know I’ve been distant. It’s just… work has been”
I place my finger on his lips, silencing him. “I know,” I say softly. “We can talk about it tomorrow. For now, can we just… be together?”
He nods, the corner of his lips turning up.
I let go and give him a kiss, and head back into the kitchen to finish up dinner.