Overstuffed

Florence Barker enjoys the comforts of her stylish New York apartment, and she is determined to keep them—even if her husband, Howard, is tired of life on the road. As Howard packs for another trip, he suggests taking a lower-paying store job and settling somewhere modest, but Florence counters his complaints with reminders of rent, illness, appearances, and the standards she refuses to surrender. Their affectionate argument reveals a marriage held together by habit, persuasion, and very different ideas of what makes a good life.

Once Howard leaves, Florence inspects herself in the mirror and quietly congratulates herself on the influence she has over him. She may claim she never complains, yet every gesture is carefully chosen to preserve the lifestyle she considers her due. Then the telephone rings, and a familiar young voice offers a new interruption to the lonely evening. With its sharp social observation, lively dialogue, and understated humor, this story follows a woman whose polished world may be more complicated—and more crowded—than it first appears.