recompose tool squishes but won't remove

I have a photo of two toddlers sitting on a blanket. They have a significant space between them and I'd like to simply remove it.

I highlighted each child in green. I drew a straight vertical line between them in red.

When I pull the handle over from the right, it just squishes the entire photo together. It does not move the children closer together. the photo is obviously unusable.

I have had this problem many many times before and always get frustrated and quit. I know others have had this question also on the forum and it never seems to get answered.

I've watched numerous videos. I've reset my tool. I've restarted Elements 14.

PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM.

I'm including a video of the problem I'm having. Thanks.

[Moved from the Lounge (which is where you can "connect with your peers" from across all of Adobe's products for conversations that don't directly relate to help and support) to a product-specific support forum by a moderator.]