We were standing in the park late one afternoon, the sky the color of slate, when he said, “It’s a matter of the heart.”

“No,” I said. “It’s reality.”

“My heart says no.”

I stared at the kids on the merry-go-round. “We can’t pay our rent.”

“We can’t leave.”

“We need to eat.”

“We love it here.”

“We need some security.”

“We can get extra jobs.”

“But I’m tired.”

“Me too. But how are we gonna feel if we go back home?” Failure lurked around the corners of his eyes.

The heart. Yes, it did matter. “Okay,” I said, “let’s see what we can find for now.”

“Yes,” he said, smiling. “For now.”