“I thought we might try again there.”

“I don’t know whether we will try again,” I said.

“But I can’t make a housing decision to comfort you.”

Our attorneys helped us understand possible options.

We didn’t rush into a sale, nor did we turn the house into a symbol that had to be won.

We agreed to review the arrangement after my leave ended and after we had a clearer picture of our finances.

For the first time, a major family decision was being made slowly, with both of us able to speak.