“We have so much, Aryeh. Explain this decision to me.” But her husband of 40 years is silent

Toby Berger looks at herself in the hallway mirror, then grabs her coat, purse, and keys, and heads out.

She gets to Hava Java 15 minutes later, and sees Esther is already seated. No surprises there.

They air-kiss, and Toby settles down across from her best friend of 20 years.

“I need caffeine and I need carbs,” she says gloomily.

Esther doesn’t look too concerned. “You always need caffeine. Me, I stop caffeine by 10 a.m. or I’m up all night.”

Toby smiles. “I know, Est.”

They order — caramel macchiato for Toby, an herbal tea for Esther, and  cauliflower poppers and a beet salad to share.

“Talk to me,” Esther says, pointing her fork at Toby.

Toby makes a face. “I will. But first… coffee.” She takes a long sip and tries to compose herself.

“Esther, I’m the world’s biggest baby. No, really,” she says, as Esther tries to protest. “I had all these ideas of what the next decade would bring. And now… Aryeh was promoted. Promoted. Goodbye, lazy morning coffees on the porch, hello, late nights at the office, frenzied meetings, and harried calls about depositions and documents and who knows what else. It’s just not fair.”

She stops abruptly, suddenly afraid to meet Esther’s eye.

Esther has struggled for parnassah as long as she’s known her. Oy, what’s wrong with her, complaining about more income while Esther is still in debt over her last wedding. She really is the worst.

But Esther’s the best. She leans forward. “I’m going to blow your mind with this original advice, Tobes: Communicate with your husband. I know you’d rather just play the supportive wife, but I think you need to talk to him.”

She makes a face. “You want me to act like a grown-up? That’s just too much.”

They laugh and clink glasses.