“I’m trying to become a person with sophisticated tastes.”

“Don’t do it on my account.”

They laughed and sat by the window.

Iris had a meeting at ten, a follow-up appointment the next month, and plans for a weekend trip with friends.

There were bills to pay, laundry waiting, and a leaky bathroom faucet she kept forgetting to call about.

Her life was full of small inconveniences, and none of them required her to surrender her dignity.

On the bookshelf sat the little keepsake box holding her wedding ring.