I

            The two had been married for a while now, living together even longer. There was a rhythm they were used to.

“You might want to put your headphones in,” she said. “I’m going to watch a little television.”

So he put headphones in, and she watched a show about dancing.

II

            Some mornings she’d wake to find him banging drawers open and closed. She would lay for a second or two, see if he could find what he was looking for alone. When he couldn’t, she’d sit up, watching him put on cufflinks.

“Is it socks?”

He would nod, heading to the bathroom to put on cologne. And she would find socks or a clean tie, or his wallet, and hand it to him in exchange for a kiss. Then he would leave.

III

            When he came home, she was crying on the couch.

“I only stopped by for a minute,” he said. “I have a thing tonight. I’ll be back later.”

She told him she was pregnant, but not loud enough for him to hear.

“Are you crying?” he said.

“There was a movie on earlier.”

He told her he was glad she turned off the TV.

IV

            They sat down to talk about kids and decided on pets.

“Don’t you think dogs are a lot of work?” he said.

“I don’t know,” she replied, “I’ve never had one.”

“They’re a lot of work,” he said.

“They seem friendlier than cats.”

“Maybe, but still.”

She nodded in agreement with him and made him smile. They decided to wait until they both knew what they wanted. She scratched her stomach and he laughed.

“Aren’t you glad there’s nothing in there yet?” he said. She said yes, and to cancel dinner tomorrow evening. She had an appointment and would be too tired to do both.