“In your opinion,â€? Adam fought for that disastrously bad couch.

“You disagree?â€?

She’s even pretty when her eyebrows are arched up like that, Joe mused.

“I feel like you don’t want my stuff in our apartment.â€?

“None of your things – look nice,â€? Kate was wavering.

“I won’t feel at home completely surrounded by your stuff,â€? Adam made his most reasonable argument yet.

“That makes sense,â€? Kate conceded, her shoulders dropping. She sighed heavily. “We could keep a few things. Does it have to be the couch?â€?

“Is there anything you would accept?â€?

Joe looked at the floor, hoping he hid his shock that Adam was capable of compromising something, anything.

“Well,â€? Kate sighed again, “the painting your mother did, and those dishes she –.â€?

“So you and Mom -.â€?

“Okay,â€? Kate conceded. “Your armchair’s comfortable. That’s where you sit most of the time, anyway.â€? Adam shrugged acknowledgement. “We could get it reupholstered to match my couch.â€?

“Think your stuff’d look good?â€?