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Harsh City

Joan walked in, set her satchel on the table.

She paused and looked at Ray, who turned to her

and flashed a smile. "How was the drive?" he asked.


"I hated it," she stated and plopped down on

the couch beside him. "I don't like the drive.

It's too far after a long day at work.

It's like still being on the clock another

fifty minutes, when you're already tired."


"I know," he said, taking her hand in his.

"You do a lot for us. You really do.

And I appreciate every last bit."


"Stop it," Joan said. "You're gonna make me cry.

You know I know how much it means to you.

You pay me back in ways that say you love me.

That's all that matters... And you'll find a job."


"Thank you," Ray said and chuckled. "Now I have

to think about whether or not I have a complex.

And I don't want to be self-diagnosing..."


She punched him in the shoulder. "Don't be silly.

You're better than you think you are. Some day

you'll have a practice of your own. Then we'll

have everything in life we've ever wanted."


He smiled, rubbing his arm. "You haven't asked

about my day yet," he said and pulled out

a set of keys from inside his right pocket.

"I hope you like it, but I got the job,

and got you a new car instead of me."

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