I walked out onto the balcony of Marshall's house, a hot cup of coffee in my hands. I'd been on my own in this house for days now, and it had not been fun. Marshall had flown out to Los Angeles to do something production-related that I didn't understand. He hadn't wanted to leave me, but I'd insisted I'd be fine. I just needed some time to think things over. It had been a few weeks since the demise of Up Next,  and I still hadn't found another job. Marsh hadn't seemed to mind, but it was driving me crazy. I didn't like being so dependent on another person. Of course, Marsh had the means to take care of both of us. But it wasn't the money spent that bothered me. It was the feeling of hopelessness that was settling over me more and more each day.

So I'd made up my mind. I was going to leave. I walked back into house and set my coffee down. I headed up the stairs to the room that Marshall and I shared, and started to pack my things. Luckily, I hadn't bought much so I could still fit everything in the bags I had. I moved quickly, trying not to think about the severity of what I was doing. I knew that I should tell Marshall what was happening. He'd done so much for me. But I had a feeling that I'd cave and agree to stay if I had to look him in the eyes and explain myself. I brought my bags downstairs and headed out the door. I tossed everything into the trunk and got into the drivers seat, turning the music up as loud as I could stand it. I set my hands on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. I didn't even know where I was going. I had no plan. I caught myself before I could think too much. I pulled out of the driveway and headed off.

Several hours later, I pulled into a rundown motel. It was late, and completely dark, and I was starting to get tired. I got out of the car and walked into the front office. And old man was sitting at the desk, snoring loudly. I knocked on the counter a few times, trying to wake him up. He picked his head up a few inches and made some kind of growling noise.

"I'd like to book a room- just for the-" He cut me off by throwing a set of keys at my head. I ducked to the side and caught them, thankfully, and waited for him to say more. It was silent for a few seconds, and then he began to snore again. I might have to write a review just to mention the stellar customer service.

I tried almost every door in the motel before I found one that worked with my key. I flipped the light on and set my bag down, looking around cautiously. It was rough. But this was my option, so I tried not to think about it too much.

I left the motel as quickly as I could the next morning, getting into my car and pulling out onto the highway. I drove in silence, which was unusual for me. Marshall should be coming home right about now. He'd be expecting a very excited me, but instead he'd find an empty house and a short note on the kitchen counter. I felt awful, I really did, but I just didn't know how else to handle it.

My phone lit up on the dashboard. Speak of the devil. I picked it up reluctantly.

"Addy? Where are you? I came home and all your stuff is gone!" I could hear the panic in his voice, even though he was trying to hide it.

"Um. Yeah. I had to leave for a while." There was silence for a moment. Then I heard the sound of paper crinkling.

"Dear Marsh- I'm so sorry to do this without any warning, but I just had to leave. I'm not sure where I'm going yet. I took all of my stuff, so you don't need to worry about that. Thank you for all you've done for me. I appreciate it more than you know." I cringed. That was the note I'd left him, and now that he was reading it out loud it sounded downright pathetic. I pulled to the side of the highway, parking the car and putting my head in my hands.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me. This was all you were going to say? What, you didn't think I'd call you? Did you have a plan at all?" He was yelling now.

"No." I whispered. I felt weak. This was why I hadn't wanted to have this conversation with him face to face.

"Where are you?" He barked. I didn't respond.

"Addy! Tell me where you are." He said, louder this time.

"Marsh, I can't. I'm sorry. I just can't." I heard him sigh heavily.

"Okay." And with that he hung up. I stared at my phone in disbelief. After all that yelling, we was just gonna say 'okay' and that was it? Typical Marshall. I got back on the road, blinking back tears.

Hours later, I pulled into the parking lot of another scary looking motel. I was pretty sure I'd been driving in a big circle for a while now, and it was about time I gave up for the night. I booked a room with no trouble and had just set my bags down when I heard a banging on the door. I tiptoed over to the window and peered out. I couldn't see. It was too dark.

I opened the door cautiously, not undoing the chain. The light from my room hit the person standing in front of me and I gasped involuntarily.

"Marshall?" I asked quietly, opening the door fully. He took one step inside and pulled me into a hug, practically suffocating me against his chest. I fell into him, a few tears running down my face. I couldn't help it.

After a long minute, he stepped back, holding me at arms length.

"Now you're gonna tell me what the hell you were thinking." He walked past me and sat down on the bed. I closed the door and sat beside him.

"I'm sorry, but I had to leave! I'm not doing anything. I feel like some kind of trophy wife, lounging around all day while you work your ass off. And you don't even seem to mind doing it, which makes it even worse! I'm dead weight, Marsh. I'm just dragging you down." I said plainly.

"You couldn't be more wrong. I want to take care of you." He took my hands in his.

"I've had to be independent my whole damn life. I hate relying on someone else, it just feels wrong. I need you to go and find someone better." I couldn't look him in the eyes.

"No." I jumped at the fierce tone and sheer volume in his voice.

"What do you mean, 'no'? Don't tell me no. Get out of here." I stood up and gestured towards the door. I hated myself for being like this. I building up a wall to keep him out, and I couldn't stop myself.

"I'm not leaving." He stood too.

"Marshall, I said get out." I opened the door.

"Addy, I said no. I love you and I'm not leaving until you come to your senses."

I turned to look at him. He looked confident, like he knew exactly what he was doing.

"You what?" I asked in a voice that didn't feel like mine. He came closer to me, setting his hands on my hips and nudging the door closed with his foot.

"I love you."

I started to cry. Not just a few tears. Full on, uncontrollable, sobbing.

He pulled me close, running his fingers through my hair over and over in an attempt to calm me down. We stood like this for a while, gently rocking back and forth. When I regained the ability to breathe, I stepped back.

"Oh Marsh, I love you too. I'm so sorry about all of this but I just didn't know how to handle it and-" He cut me off.

"It's okay. I promise. Everything will be okay. But you're not staying here. This place is sketchy as hell. Grab your stuff and get in the car. I'll call you and we can talk on the drive back."

I was settled in the car with Marshall on the phone, prepared for the long drive ahead. I took one last look at the motel and shuddered. I was so thankful to not have to stay the night there.

"Are you ready?" Marshall asked.

"I'm ready. Let's go home."