In the evening, a family of three sits in their living room. The father watches his son complete a jigsaw puzzle on the floor while his wife grades papers. He imagines discussing with his wife about getting a divorce over their morning coffee, and when he becomes conscious of what he's imagining, it frightens him. He convinces himself that he still loves his wife. He gets up and stands by his wife, and they both say they love each other, but their son doesn't believe them. Their son demands they kiss each other to prove their love. The man reflects on how often he and his wife get into arguments over small issues. He also remembers how often his own parents bickered when he was a boy. Later, it is the boy's bedtime. The mother offers to start his bath and the father plans to read to him, but the boy says that he can do it all on his own. His father realizes how fast his son is growing up. He puts the boy's puzzle away and then hugs his wife, commenting on how pleasant their life is. She agrees, then goes back to grading papers. The man then imagines the perfect evening, where he checks on his son who is happily tucked in bed, and he meets his wife in bed and they make love. He thought is interrupted by his son saying that they need more toilet paper upstairs. After carrying some toilet paper up, he goes back to see his wife, who says not to stay up for her because she wants to finish all the grading tonight, no matter how long it takes. The man goes upstairs alone, reads a little, reminds himself that he really loves his wife, and then falls asleep.