In this excerpt from John Cheever's work, the narrator reflects on a moment of boredom expressed by his wife. Their marriage, spanning twelve years, had been riddled with disinterest, culminating in the narrator's admission that he found life tedious for the last six years. The emotional distance between them is palpable as they struggle with their connection.

The narrator's departure to the airport highlights the finality of their relationship. Despite having shared a total of fourteen years together, including a passionate courtship, the moment marks a significant parting, as he acknowledges that he would never see her again. This paints a poignant picture of the dissolution of their love and the weight of their shared history.