"I can't take the city anymore."
He turned away from the window, above the sink, just to look at her. She was silent.
"It's... too crowded. Hurts too much."
"I understand."
"I don't think you do, but thanks for saying that."
"It reminds you of her too much."
He didn't say anything but nodded; his face had relaxed, losing tension, but it wasn't peaceful.
He turned back to the window, his hands on the edge of the counter. "I've always wanted to go... out west."
He paused, and his eyes flitted down, then back up, staring out the window. "Montana country. Somewhere quiet and nice."
She was still silent and shifted, her hands clasping together; she wasn't looking at him anymore, her eyes on the carpet.
"I'd like that," he said quietly. "Julie would like it. You know she would."
"Then do it... it doesn't matter to me."
She caught his head turning out of the corner of her eye and looked up too, meeting his eyes, his small smile.
"It matters. If you don't want me to leave, tell me."
"Leave if you want."
She got up and did just that, and he was left staring out the window again, his hands still on the counter.