Can't Let You Go

***LIAM***

Despite my intention, the truth is that I can't talk to Tally about the two things that are bothering me the most lately. One is my ex. I still don't like to even think her name, much less speak it. That's easier said than done now that she's no longer a closed memory, but lives in my building and is determined to force her way back into my life. This morning, like nearly every other morning, she was standing outside my door with a cup of coffee in each hand, though I've never taken one.

"It's Saturday. Where are you off to?" As is routine now, she follows me down the stairs.

--

"Come with me to a gallery on Marble drive, there's a painting that would look perfect hanging above your bed."

--

"It's fine if you're busy. I'll go ahead and buy it. I'll have one of my subcontractors come hang it for you."

--

"You don't have to be there, just tell me the door code and I'll let them in."

--

Whatever topic of conversation she's made up, when we reach the landing that goes to the lobby she says the same thing. "I love spending our mornings together. Have a good day! I'll be thinking about you! See you later!"

That's not just a thing she says, she actually shows up at my apartment almost every evening as well. Unlike leaving time, return time is inconsistent, so I can mostly avoid in-person contact. Not that it matters to her because I never answer the door even when I am home. She'll just yell whatever she has to say or leave whatever random thing she bought in the hall.

Obviously she's trying to wear me down so I'll acquiesce, which would have worked in the past without as much effort, but all it's done is made me better at ignoring distractions. There's only one woman I want to focus on.

"We ended up doing some physical work this morning, so what shall we do this afternoon?" I ask Tally as she helps me clear our trash from the table after lunch.

"I don't know. It's still cold out and we're kind of grimey after dealing with those dusty boxes," she replies without any sense of energy.

"You're on the verge of sulking about spending time with me. What's up?"

"It's not about spending time with you. I'm just... worn out. Not from this morning, but from everything. My schedule is full and I can't really relax at home. You have pretty much the same problem, except you get to go to your own apartment every night."

"My place isn't as relaxing as you might think." Even before my ex moved in, I wasn't fully comfortable there, so I've never wanted Tally to visit and she's never asked. Perhaps for a similar reason since she knows it's my old place. "You told me your dad insisted on buying you an apartment. Why don't you go there?"

"I haven't even had the time to put 'Alaris architect' into the search bar on my phone, let alone finish out the whole place. When I said it needed to be built out, I'm talking about everything. There's an electric panel, water line in, waste line out, and that's it."

I watch as her shoulders slump even further. "Let me make a call." I step outside for a few minutes. "I've got the next destination set. Do you think you can handle a bit of a drive?"

"Can I sleep on the way?"

"Could I stop you?"

I set a course for a little coastal town that is primarily made up of summer homes of the Alaris elite. When we arrive at our destination, I wake Tally. She groggily looks around and sees that we're parked in a portico.