Husband and Wife

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re not?”

“No.”

“Are you alright?”

“I guess.”

“You’re not giving me much to work with.”

“I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”

“Something. Anything.”

“I want a divorce.”

“Why?”

“I just do. It’s not working.”

“What about Clara?”

“She’s old enough.”

“You’re not thinking.”

“I told you I wasn’t.”

“This isn’t fair.”

“Why not?”

“I love you. Don’t you love me?”

“Yes.”

“So, why are you leaving?”

“I don-”

“Stop it. Stop with whatever you’re about to say.”

“You wanted an explanation.”

“I just don’t think I’m ready to hear it.”

“You’re kind of difficult, you know.”

“You wanted me to be.”

“I don’t think I like this anymore.”

“What?”

“What we’re doing.”

“OK, then we’ll stop.”

“Thank you.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

“You alright?”

“You didn’t have to roll away.”

“I don’t roll.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“You’re the one that’s leaving.”

“I don’t know why I said that. I didn’t mean it.”

“Sure you didn’t.”

“Can I have a cigarette? Thanks.”

“Do you want anything from the store?”

“Maybe some Tylenol.”

“Getting old, huh?”

“Mhm.”

“Promise you’ll still be here when I get back?”

“Sure.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“You hesitated.”

“I’m busy.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

“You’re back sooner than I thought.”

“And you haven’t moved.”

“You made me promise I’d still be here.”

“Yeah, but you usually move a little. And you haven’t moved at all.”

“I don’t know what you expect from me.”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Don’t smile at me like that.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you. Now move over and let me under the covers.”

“You’re cold.”

“It’s cold outside.”

“Please don’t do that.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll warm them up some other way.”

“Thank you.”

“Where’s Clara?”

“School.”

“Already?”

“Maggie came and got her.”

“I don’t like when she does that.”

“She’s your sister.”

“I know.”

“Don’t you like her?”

“Of course I do.”

“I see.”

“Is the coffee pot still warm?”

“I don’t know.”

“OK.”

“Are you sitting?”

“No. I’ve got to run.”

“You haven’t even eaten breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Fine.”

“I love you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you too.”

“How was today?”

“A day.”

“Hm. My day was a day too.”

“That so?”

“Perhaps.”

“What’s with the smile?”

“I was thinking we could make pasta for dinner. You know, the pasta with that sauce you like.”

“The sauce your grandmother used to make.”

“Exactly.”

“What prompted this?”

“Maybe I just wanted to be a good husband.”

“You are a good husband.”

“Thank you for noticing.”

“Any time.”

“What do you want for dinner?”

“You.”

“Funny.”

“Is it?”

“No. I mean it.”

“Do we have any more chicken?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Do you want chicken?”

“Not really.”

“OK.”

“What?”

“What?”

“You have a look.”

“I’m thinking.”

“You do that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m only joking.”

“I know.”

“Then, why are you frowning?”

“I don’t mean to.”

“Do you have a headache?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll get you some Paracetamol.”

“Please.”

“Here. Take two.”

“Thanks.”

“You’ll be good now, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Clara’s sick again.”

“Fever?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll take her to the doctor.”

“I’ve got it.”

“Please, lay back down.”

“I don’t mind going. I’ll throw on a sweater.”

“No. I mean it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“OK.”

“Have you seen the news?”

“No, is it any good?”

“No.”

“It never is, huh?”

“Of course not.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“How do you feel about soup for dinner?”

“What kind?”

“Whatever kind you want. Is Clara out with your sister again?”

“Yes. She’s never home anymore.”

“It’s not a bad thing.”

“I guess not.”

“How about veggie soup?”

“Carrots and green beans included?”

“Mhm.”

“I’m doing laundry now. Do you have anything you want washed?”

“Not particularly.”

“OK.”

“Actually, you remember that cardigan you bought me last month?”

“The green one?”

“Yes. That one.”

“Where is it?”

“In the bathroom, on the rack.”

“Got it.”

“Thanks.”

“Mhm.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

“She forgot her book at school.”

“Again? I told her to be more responsible.”

“I know. I told her you told her that.”

“Can she get it?”

“Not until tomorrow.”

“Bummer.”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure.”

“Our anniversary is coming up.”

“Yeah?”

“You forgot?”

“No.”

“Good. I wanted to ask if maybe you wanted t-“

“Why’d you kiss me?”

“Because I love you, and whatever you say next I don’t think I’ll say no to.”

“What if I was divorcing you?”

“Don’t joke about that.”

“You’ve done it.”

“I know. Except, I didn’t mean it.”

“Well, I didn’t either.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.”

“Ask your question.”

“Do you want to travel? It’s our 20-year anniversary.”

“Where would we go?”

“Anywhere you wanted.”

“What if I wanted to stay at home?”

“Then, I’m open to doing that too.”

“Sure?”

“Sure.”

“Do you want to go to Paris?”

“Paris sounds delightful.”

“Anywhere is delightful so long as it’s with you.”

“You’re my favorite person.”

“I’d hope so.”

“Always.”

“Always is a strong word.”

“It’s just the truth.”

“Let’s go to Paris. I’m sure my sister will watch over Clara for us.”

“You don’t want her to come?”

“I don’t think she’d want to. She’s been too preoccupied with the bake sale to notice we exist.”

“If it makes her happy.”

“I’m sure it does.”

“Her brownies are really good.”

“Mhm, you can say that again.”

“I will. I’ll even tell her that.”

“She’ll love you for that.”

“Look at the Eiffel Tower.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“You’re not even looking.”

“I’m sorry, I was more focused on the view I have right here. The view of you.”

“Yeah?”

“If we weren’t already married, I’d ask you to marry me all over again.”

“You’d marry me a second time?”

“I’d marry you a million times if I could.”

“You really mean that, yeah?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“We don’t always get along.”

“That’s what makes us normal.”

“If you say so.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”