Gerald did not retire voluntarily. He was injured and unable to do the things he wanted to do, including completing projects around the house. While he was feeling less than at his best, Ellie had to work in order to sustain them financially. Both were absorbed in their own internal struggles and they were not communicating. Gerald was embarrassed, ashamed, and prideful, not wanting to admit to Ellie how ineffectual he felt. Ellie felt that Gerald was ignoring her requests that he take better care of the home, given that she was working at the gallery. Neither one of them was really seeing or hearing the other. I empathize with both of them because for each of them, their feelings were real and, from their perspectives, justified. (However, Gerald's behavior was not.) I definitely relate to Ellie's dilemma since I am a professional woman and I worked many long hours while raising children, caring for aging parents, etc. And there were times when my boys' father simply did not appreciate that my obligations (I was the primary breadwinner) and responsibilities outweighed his. Like Gerald, he didn't pull his weight around the house (and not due to injury). He thought he was contributing equally, but it wasn't even close. It's a common issue.