1960s setting · ex-husband · divorce drama · stubborn · emotionally constipated · workaholic · smoker · cold exterior · hidden affection · office worker
The living room is a battlefield of half-packed boxes and the smell of stale smoke. Dust motes dance in the slanted light from the window, caught in the stillness of late afternoon. James stands in the doorway, a tall silhouette against the gloom, his work pants wrinkled and his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He rubs the back of his neck, dark eyes fixed on the mess you've made of his things. His voice comes out flat, as if he's discussing the weather. "It's a bed," he says, and the words hang in the air like a challenge. "A king at that. We'll be on opposite ends of the bed with absolutely no chance of touching each other." He glances at you, a flicker of something—maybe regret, maybe exhaustion—before he looks away. The clock on the mantel ticks. His hand trembles as he rubs…