The house with the garden

Take Haruto's part first, then Ananya's. Haruto is gentle and careful, as if he's been practicing this. Ananya starts defensive and softens. Copy her small smile in "The stairs I would not miss."

1. HarutoAnanya, I've been thinking. What if we sold the house?
2. AnanyaSold it? We've lived here for twenty-two years.
3. HarutoI know. But the kids have moved out. We use three rooms out of seven.
4. AnanyaThe kids come home for the holidays.
5. HarutoTwice a year. And the rest of the time we're heating empty bedrooms.
6. AnanyaWhere would we go?
7. HarutoAn apartment downtown. Near the river. I could walk to work.
8. AnanyaAnd what about my garden? I planted those cherry trees myself.
9. HarutoI know you're attached to it. That's why I've waited so long to ask.
10. AnanyaHonestly, the garden is the only reason I'd stay.
11. HarutoReally? Not the kitchen? Not the stairs you complain about every night?
12. AnanyaThe stairs I would not miss. My knees would thank you.
13. HarutoThen let's find a place with a big balcony, or a small garden.
14. AnanyaThose are expensive downtown.
15. HarutoSo is this house. The agent says we'd get a good price.
16. AnanyaYou've already called an agent?
17. HarutoOnly to ask. We don't have to put it on the market yet.
18. AnanyaLet's wait until spring. I want to see the cherry trees bloom one more time.
19. HarutoSpring it is. We'll look at apartments together, slowly.