The little group that had met at Marceau's were now all standing on the sidewalk saying their goodnights. It was late; what had started as drinks turned into dinner and after dinner drinks. Clarence and Claire opted to walk home, leaving Jerry, Katie, Carl and Shirley to walk to the parking garage together. Their cars, coincidentally, were parked on the same level so they were able to see each other to them. Carl used the remote to unlock the doors and held the passenger door open for Shirley before closing it and walking around to the driver's side.

As he guided the car onto the street, Shirley said, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I have to guess?"

Carl gripped the wheel as his lips thinned in annoyance. "Did it ever occur to you to discuss with me your plans to start a new firm?"

Shirley was shocked. "What are you talking about? We did discuss it!"

"Um, no. We didn't. You brought it up at Denny and Alan's dinner party and I asked you to table the conversation until later. Later turned out to be tonight."

Shirley twiddled her thumbs as she looked out the window. "You knew I was unhappy with the direction the firm was going," she replied defensively.

"I did. I do. But, Shirley, all you did was say you were unhappy. I had hoped that we could discuss the situation and make plans together. Did it ever occur to you that I might have some thoughts about our future? Not only didn't you ask me what I might want, you assumed that I will follow you out the door and into a new practice. We're in our late sixties, for God's sake! With money! We could take a page out of Denny and Alan's book and just be together. Wouldn't you like that?"

Shirley twisted around in her seat so that she was facing him. "My God, Carl. I've been working for so long, it didn't occur to me that there is anything else."

"Well, there is. Alan hasn't always been my favorite person, but I respect his decision to not return to work and enjoy his marriage to Denny.* I envy it, actually. Alan has made it abundantly clear that Denny is his first priority, his only priority. I understand your not wanting to stay at Chang, Poole and Schmidt. I understand you wanting to remove your name from the firm. What I don't understand is you not even taking into consideration my feelings or wants. I didn't think you would do that to me, Shirley. I just didn't."

Shirley was stunned. She opened her mouth to say something, but she could think of nothing to say. My God, he's right! She reached out to rub his arm. "I'm sorry, Carl. I am so, so sorry. How can I make this better?"

"I don't know. If you call Jerry and Katie now and tell them don't give their notice tomorrow because you've changed your mind about opening a new practice, they'll be crushed. And Clarence and Claire said they still intend to move, but what if they change their minds and decide to throw in with you? You would look like a fool and that's not acceptable, either. If I were to decide to stay where I am, people would see me as betraying you, especially if the Chinese fight to keep your name. If I were to opt to retire, people would think I'm letting my wife support me and that would wound my pride and hurt my credibility as an attorney and a man. I almost feel trapped into opening a practice with you." He seemed to want to say something more, but shook his head instead and concentrated on the road.

Shirley faced front again and watched as he turned the car into their street and then their driveway. As he cut off the engine she asked, "Are we in trouble, Carl?"

"Maybe."

*ref, "Married for Real"