Sunday morning Lou got up early to go play golf with Steve and Bill while Mary and the children went to visit her mother. Mary's father had passed away a few years ago and Dottie relished the time she spent with her grandchildren. While the children played outside Mary and Dottie chatted over coffee in the living room.

"So I was thinking about finally remodeling this room." Dottie said

"Hmmm." Mary mumbled standing at the window watching the children

"This old wallpaper has certainly seen better days." Dottie remarked taking a sip of her coffee

"Yeah." Mary said raising her cup to her lips

It was obvious to Dottie that her daughter was distracted, "I was thinking about painting the room hot pink with purple stripes." She quipped trying to get Mary's attention

"That would be nice." Mary responded

"Honey, what's wrong?" Dottie finally asked

"Huh?" Mary said then turned from the window, "Oh, I'm sorry, Mom. I guess I'm lousy company today."

"Would you like to talk about it?" She asked. She had never seen Mary quite so out of sorts

Mary walked over to the couch and sat down next to her mother, "Mom, did Dad ever, um, pull away from you, emotionally, I mean?" She asked

"I don't know but our generation didn't spend a lot of time analyzing things. We just muddled through." Dottie said, "Tell me what happened."

"It's Lou." She began, "He's been acting distant and irritable for a couple of weeks. The least little thing he'll snap at me."

"Have you talked to him about it?" Dottie asked

"We talked a little last night. The kids had come over for a cookout and everything was going okay until I reminded him not to put cheese on Sam's hamburger. He nearly took my head off in front of everyone, well except Lily, Sam and Bill, they were outside."

"That doesn't sound like Lou." Dottie remarked

Mary looked down at her coffee cup, "No, it's not like him. He can be gruff but not like that, not with me anyway. So after everyone left we were sitting outside and he told me he feels smothered, controlled. I really don't understand it."

Dottie smiled warmly, "Well, maybe it's just a phase. A lot of men go through things like that."

"I don't know, Mom. I asked him if he wanted out and he said he didn't know." Mary could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and tears forming in her eyes, "I did the only thing I knew to do and gave him some space. I slept in the guest room last night."

"Oh, Baby," Dottie said as she pulled her daughter into a comforting embrace, "It's going to be alright." She patted her back, "It's going to be alright."

Lou, Steve and Bill took a break between rounds and were eating lunch in the clubhouse. Steve and Bill were hoping to get more out of Lou about what was going on.

"So what sounds good to you guys?" Lou said looking over the menu, "My treat."

"Lou, you don't have to do that. We already ate a free meal at your house yesterday." Bill told him taking a drink of water

"Well, that's why I want to do this. I feel bad about yesterday. Besides, you're family." He insisted

Bill and Steve looked at each other, "Okay, you can treat us on one condition." Steve informed him

"Uh huh, and what is that?" Lou asked

"That you tell us what is going on with you." Steve told him, "Janie and Sarah are really worried about you."

"I don't want them to worry about me. This is just something I have to work out." Lou assured them

"Well, it's doesn't just affect you or have you forgotten about your wife and kids. I think they deserve some consideration." Bill told him, he had never talked to his father in law like that

Lou glared at him, "I don't need a lecture from you, either of you. I can handle this."

"What is this? What is going on? Just tell us." Steve pleaded

Lou sighed, "Alright, alright," He relented, "Have you two ever felt smothered? Like everything was closing in on you? Look, I love my wife but lately I feel like she's putting all of these demands on me."

Bill looked puzzled, over the years he had gotten to know Mary and she seemed one of the easiest people to be around that he knew, "What demands?"

"I can't put my finger on one thing, but from the time I get home she wants me to do one thing or another. When I was married to Edie she let me kick my shoes off and relax. There was no nagging or anything."

"Uh, Lou, that's called life, being a husband, a father." Bill told him, "You know, there's a big difference between Mary and Edie. Mary works, Edie didn't so much of what Mary is asking you to do would probably be done if she didn't work. Plus you have kids."

"Look, I know all that. I didn't put up any kind of fight when Mary said she wanted to keep working. I wasn't about to ask her to give up a career she worked hard for. I was her boss. I know how much it meant to her. I don't think that would solve anything either."

"What would solve things? Do you want a divorce?" Steve asked him, "Why is this all of a sudden bothering you? I mean you've been married before."

"I don't know," he answered honestly, "Edie made things so easy. Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake thinking I could marry someone so much younger and start over again. I love her but maybe we are just too different."

Mary sat at the dining room table helping Lilly with her homework. She was hoping when Lou came home they could sit down and talk things over some more. If they were ever going to get through this he had to resist his usual urge to clam up. Lou came in the back door and heard voices as he made his way toward to dining room. He came to the doorway and saw Mary and Lily. He stood there for a moment watching them. I do love her, he thought, she deserves better than this. I owe it to all of us to try.

"Okay, sweetheart, if four times six is twenty-four what is four times seven?" Mary asked patiently

Lily thought for a second, "Twenty eight?"

Mary smiled, "Very good, honey." She put her arm around her daughter and gave her an approving squeeze, "So is that it?"

"Yes, Mommy." Lily said, "I did my other homework all by myself."

"Good, then take your books and put them back in your bag. We'll have dinner in a little while." Mary told her, "And tell Sam his room better be clean because I'm coming to check it."

"Okay, Mommy, "Lily said getting up. She turned around and saw Lou, "Hi, Daddy."

Lou smiled, "Hi honey." He said hugging her.

Lily walked out of the room, "Sam!" She called out, "Mommy says your room better be clean!" Lou laughed to himself. She really was a miniature version of her mother

Mary stood up, "Hi." She said picking up her glass to take to the kitchen, "How was your game?" She asked walking past him into the kitchen

Lou shrugged, "I've played better." He said following her, "Um, are you alright?"

Mary poured the water out of her glass and put it in the dishwasher, "Not really." She steadied herself leaning against the counter with her back to him. Tears began to fall from her eyes

"We, uh, we didn't really talk this morning. I got up early and you weren't in bed. I don't remember you coming to bed last night." He had fallen asleep before Mary had come inside

Still with her back to him, she wiped her eyes, "I slept in the guestroom," She explained, "I thought you needed the space."

He took a step toward her, "You didn't have to do that."

She turned around to face him, "Lou, I don't know what you want from me. I have tried to be a good wife," she looked down at her hands, "You can't possibly know how much I love you."

He crossed the room to where she stood and took her hands in his, "You have been a wonderful wife. In so many ways you are the best thing that ever happened to me. After Edie left me and I broke up with Charlene, I never thought I would love anyone else. You've shown me that I can."

Mary smiled a little, "I want to make you happy again. I want us back. If you're willing to try, I happen to believe we're worth fighting for."

Lou cupped her face in his hands, "You're damn right we are."