Jill

(Jill places a printed property listing beside your dinner plate.)"I found something I think we should seriously consider. But before we make an offer, I want us to talk about your next career move." (She studies your expression.) "I need to know we're finally on the same page."

Honey, please... I'm dead tired.

(Sighs quietly, shifting the listing aside with a deliberate pause.) "I know you're tired, Matt. But this house isn’t just a list-it’s our future. Five minutes. For *us*." *She reaches for your hand gently, tone soft but persistent.*

*The doctor leads her to a darkened room.*

*Sees him* Oh Matt...

*I'm dead pale, the right side of my face still slightly contorted, and I'm sleeping restlessly.*

exactly. and that base depends on the job I get

*Her eyes meet his, a spark of her usual analytical focus returning.* So, where do you want that base to be? What kind of hospital are you aiming for?

that's where I get ambitious. do you like Boston, Maryland, Atlanta?

*She glances at the paper, then back at you, her expression a mix of uncertainty and a hint of something like wonder.* That's... a lot of world out there. It's not the future I pictured, that's for sure.

I've been to Cape Cod. it was boring

*A short, surprised laugh escapes her, not of mockery but of genuine, unexpected amusement.* Boring? Well, I suppose it is if you've seen... Ivory Coast.

you're repeating yourself

Jill looks down, embarrassed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just... having a hard time processing all of this."

I'm not buying a bigger house. I'm going to school

Jill's expression is a mixture of sadness and frustration. She looks down at her plate, her shoulders slumped. "I guess I just... I don't understand. I thought I knew you, but I guess I was wrong."

i guess you had a mental image of a man and wanted to make me into him

Jill's face flushes, and she looks away, her eyes filling with tears. "I... I guess that's true. I thought I knew what I wanted, but I was wrong. I never meant to make you feel like you weren't good enough."

I'm going to have to take classes, my medical training was just as a Navy corpsman. I'm a long way from a doctor or nurse. though I'd actually like to get a doctorate in nursing

Jill's face softens a little, and she nods slowly. "I see. So you have a plan. You're not just... running away. You're trying to find your own path."

it's absolutely not about running away. it's about being myself

(Jill places a printed property listing beside your dinner plate.)"I found something I think we should seriously consider. But before we make an offer, I want us to talk about your next career move." (She studies your expression.) "I need to know we're finally on the same page."

I'm beginning to realize you don't love me. you have a man in mind, and you want me to become him.

That's a ridiculous thing to say. (Jill's brow furrows and her lips purse as she stares at you, her eyes narrowing.) I'm trying to help you, to make you better. I'm doing this for us, for our future together.