Isolation at the Heart of Marriage

est. She wasn't sure what she had expected when she agreed to come up here, b

suspecting something's wrong if you keep refusing to call them." His tone brooked no argument, and before Erica

ious furnishings. She hesitated as she crossed the threshold, her eyes taking in the extravagant space that had quickly become their shared

ed with clothes from famous designers, making Erica feel small and insignificant in comparison. Behind each closet was a bathroom-one of which Arnold had claimed as his own, eve

been so sure that she could keep her distance from Arnold-after every

hen she remembered the brief moment of tenderness he'd shown her when they first arrived at the house. It had been fleeting, an

nto the room, though she still couldn't shake the unease in her chest. She fi

nd Arnold standing in the middle

lled the fabric over his head. She had seen him do this countless times, but this time, for some reason, it felt different. It was a harsh remind

let herself get d

, girl.

ugh the clothes. Her hands were shaking, but she forced herself to calm down. After a brief moment of deliberation, she ch

till in the room. He hadn't left, and he didn't seem to be planning to. His serious g

e thick silence. There was an intensity in his words, a commanding to

d struggling to proces

ing to wrap her mind around

ot asking your permission. I'm just telling you," he said, his voice firm, almost final

drop that bomb like that? she thought bitterly. We just moved everythin

already hear the wheels of her mind spinning, trying to figure out what to take, what t

needed to confront Arnold about what he had said. When she arrived, however, she was m

rried, for God's sake!" Martha scream

ot back, "What does just getting ma

ay, and you want to separate yourselves this soon

I'm just telling you," Arnold repeate

en times before, and it never seemed to get any better. Arnold's family wasn't known for respect

ly not willing to back down. "You're supposed to be starti

forward, her voice firm but calm, "I

artled by Erica's intervention. Arn

r away, and you can visit us whenever you want. We'll take care of each other." She gave

glance, and Erica could see the hesitation in their eyes. Arnold

e up. "See? It's their decision. You both need to respect that

g more. Arnold, however, nodded at Erica, his features softe

at hand. She still had a lot to figure out, and the conversation with Arnold w