"What choice did I have?" James said, "They've already sent out a staff-wide e-mail. They're going to ship all my office stuff back here. It's over."

"Was the package generous, at least?"

"It's fine, considering. Won't be paying the mortgage but it's not nothing," James said.

"We've got my job," Christine said, "It'll be tight, but we can make it work."

"I know. I guess I should be worried about all those things, but I'm not. Christine, what you told me last night..."

"Shhh," Christine said. She kissed her husband lightly on the lips. He startled. It had been so long since she'd shared that kind of affection with him....