He'll explain

Ellen wanted to believe he was joking, but she knew Rob's sense of humor as well as her own. Whatever this was, it wasn't a joke. "For what?" she asked, a tremor of anxiety in her voice.

"This gift." he replied, taking her hands gently in his. His movements were fluid and gentle, and his body language was open and relaxed. All of the bitterness and anger were gone from his voice. "You've given me something wonderful." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.

"What are you talking about, dude? You're acting really weird. Are you like high or something?" She searched his face and found it was serene as a cloudless sky.

"No, not high. What you did to me - gave me - it's something else. I feel completely fine. More than fine, Ellen." He squeezed her hands and looked into her eyes. "I'm at peace."

She jerked her hands back and stood up. "You're kinda freaking me out, man. You sound like you joined a cult or something. What happened to getting fucked up?"

He smiled broadly, giving her space as she backed away. "I'd love to keep drinking with you. Tell me more about this layoff. It's causing you a lot of anxiety, isn't it?"

"Of course it's causing me anxiety! I've gotta pay my fucking bills, don't I? What's wrong with you man, just snap out of it!" Ellen couldn't believe she was having this conversation. It felt like she was watching her own dialogue play out in an overwritten movie.

He stood. "You don't need that anxiety. You don't need any of it. Do you trust me?"

She eyed him warily. "...yes? I think so?"

He approached her and locked gazes with her, his eyes tearing up with love. "I can give you this same gift, Ellen. I feel it. It's in me, and it can in you too. I won't do it if you ask me not to. I'm begging you, though." His voice took on a slightly pleading tone. "It's like nothing else. I'm the same old Rob you've always known. I took you to the hospital when you broke your collarbone in 11th grade. You were the only reason I passed Chem 102. I mourned with you when your dad died and celebrated with you when you paid off your last student loan. Trust me when I say that this is the greatest thing that could ever happen to you. Will you accept it?"