Echos of the past

Chapter 43

The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows over the dew-covered ground, as Isla and Teddy stood in the small garden outside her shack. The air was still cool, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the plants they had tended together. But the serene morning was quickly overshadowed by a brewing storm between them.

Isla was on her knees, pulling weeds from between the rows of vegetables. Her face was calm, focused, as she worked methodically. Teddy, on the other hand, was leaning against the side of the shack, arms crossed over his chest, an expression of frustration etched across his features.

"Isla, I don’t get it," he began, breaking the silence. "Why do you insist on living like this? No air conditioning, no modern conveniences… It’s like you’re making life harder than it needs to be."

Isla paused, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and hurt. "Teddy, I’ve told you before. I like living this way. I like being self-sufficient."

"But why?" Teddy demanded, his voice rising with his frustration. "You could have an easier life. We could have an easier life together. You could get a normal job, we could buy a nice house, have all the comforts."

Isla stood up, dusting off her knees. "And be like everyone else? Dependent on a job, on supermarkets, on others for everything? That’s not what I want, Teddy. I love the freedom of living off the land. I love knowing that I can provide for myself."

Teddy shook his head, pacing back and forth. "It’s not about being like everyone else. It’s about making things easier, more comfortable. It’s about having options, not being tied down to this place because you’ve chosen a lifestyle that’s so… so restrictive."

"Restrictive?" Isla’s voice was incredulous. "I find it liberating. I don’t have to rely on anyone else. I grow my own food, I make my own decisions. It’s empowering, Teddy."

"But you don’t have to do it all alone," he argued. "You have me. You don’t have to be so independent all the time. What’s wrong with relying on someone else for a change?"

Isla’s expression softened, but there was a firmness in her eyes. "There’s nothing wrong with relying on others, Teddy. But that doesn’t mean I want to give up my independence. I love you, and I love being with you. But I also love the life I’ve built for myself."

Teddy stopped pacing and faced her, his frustration giving way to a look of vulnerability. "Isla, it feels like you’re saying you don’t need me. Like you don’t want to rely on me at all."

She stepped closer to him, reaching out to take his hand. "It’s not that I don’t need you, Teddy. I do. I love you, and I want you in my life. But I also need to feel like I can stand on my own two feet. It’s important to me."

He sighed, squeezing her hand gently. "I just don’t understand why you have to make it so hard on yourself. Why not take the easier path?"

Isla smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. "Because the easy path isn’t always the right one for me. I find joy in the work, in the sweat and the effort. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about thriving in a way that feels true to who I am."

Teddy looked down at their joined hands, his thumb tracing small circles on her skin. "I just want to make things easier for you, Isla. I want to take care of you."

"And I love that about you," she said, lifting his chin so their eyes met. "But taking care of me doesn’t mean I have to give up who I am. It means supporting me, even if you don’t always understand why I do things the way I do."

He nodded slowly, his frustration slowly melting away. "I just want us to be happy."

"And we can be," she assured him. "We just have to find a balance. I’m not asking you to give up everything you’re used to. I’m just asking you to understand why this is important to me."

Teddy took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing. "I’m trying, Isla. It’s just… hard sometimes."

"I know," she said, pulling him into a hug. "But we’ll figure it out. Together."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, letting the morning sun warm their skin and the tension between them dissipate.

Teddy pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "I’m sorry for getting so worked up. I just worry about you."

"And I appreciate that," Isla replied, her voice gentle. "But you don’t have to worry so much. I’m stronger than I look."

He chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That you are."

They spent the rest of the morning working side by side, the earlier tension replaced by a renewed sense of understanding. Teddy found himself admiring Isla’s determination, her strength, and the way she moved through the world with such purpose.

As they finished their tasks and sat down to a simple lunch, Teddy reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I love you, Isla. Even if I don’t always understand you, I love you."

Isla’s heart swelled with affection. "I love you too, Teddy. And I’m grateful for your patience, even when it’s hard."

He smiled, lifting her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "We’ll make this work. I promise."

The afternoon passed in a comfortable rhythm, the two of them finding a new harmony in their shared life. Teddy helped Isla with the more strenuous tasks, while she took care of the delicate details. They talked and laughed, the earlier argument seeming like a distant memory.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Teddy pulled Isla into his arms once more. "You know," he murmured, "I think I’m starting to see why you love this so much."

"Really?" Isla asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "There’s something… satisfying about it. Something real."

Isla smiled, her heart lifting. "I’m glad you’re starting to see it."

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The sky turned a brilliant shade of orange and pink, a perfect end to a day that had started with so much tension.

"I think we’re going to be okay," Teddy said softly, his voice filled with conviction.

Isla looked up at him, her eyes shining with love. "I know we will be."

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, they made their way back to the shack, hand in hand. The future seemed a little brighter, a little clearer, with the promise of many more days and nights spent together, navigating the challenges and joys of their unique life.

Inside, the warmth of the shack welcomed them, a testament to the love and effort Isla had poured into creating a home. Teddy pulled her close, kissing her deeply, his earlier frustration completely forgotten.

"You really do amaze me," he whispered against her lips.

"And you make me incredibly happy," Isla replied, her voice filled with emotion.

They moved together, finding their way to the bed, where they made love with a newfound tenderness and understanding. The night was filled with whispered promises and gentle caresses, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.

As they lay together in the aftermath, Teddy held Isla close, his heart filled with a deep, abiding love. "You’re my everything, Isla. My reason for everything."

"And you’re mine," she replied, snuggling into his embrace.

They drifted off to sleep, their hearts beating in unison, the future bright and full of promise. Together, they knew they could face anything, as long as they had each other.