God, that's a relief. I hope I never have to walk in that front door again. It's too bad, to have all that and lose it. That's like the American dream. What every man thinks is the perfect life. A family, success, stuff. Is that your idea of the big dream, John? He laughed. My idea is a lot smaller. She stared at his profile for a long moment. Then very quietly she said, I bet it's not really smaller. But maybe a lot less complicated. And he thought, not anymore. His idea of the perfect life, the best he could have in the universe, was sitting right next to him. So close, yet so far out of his reach. *
The quote reflects on the complexities of the American dream and the pressure to achieve a perfect life filled with success and family. The character expresses relief at escaping a situation tied to that dream, lamenting the loss of what he once had. He finds humor in the perceived simplicity of his own aspirations, contrasting it with the traditional views of success.
As the conversation continues, there’s an acknowledgement that true fulfillment might not align with societal ideals. Instead, it emerges from realizing that what he truly desires is the simpler, deeper connection with the person beside him. Despite the distance he feels, the essence of his dream has evolved, revealing that the most significant things in life are often complex and intimate.
