That was the part nobody warned us about.
A new city didn’t magically repair an old marriage.
We still argued.
We still got tired.
We still disagreed about money.
There were nights when Ben came home frustrated because the hospital was understaffed.
There were mornings when I panicked because a client cancelled.
There were days when Olive missed her old friends.
But there was one difference.
We talked.
Before decisions.
Not after.
One evening, Ben came home early.
Olive was doing homework at the kitchen table.
I was answering emails.
He walked in and smiled.
“What time’s dinner?”
“Seven.”
“I can help.”
His phone buzzed.
My stomach tightened automatically.
Ben looked at the message.
Then typed something.
“What was it?” I asked.
“They wanted me to cover Friday.”
“And?”
“I said no.”
I smiled.
Then my phone buzzed.
A client wanted me for an event that Friday.
I looked at Ben.
