Amy was a beautiful and young woman. This is not a love story; in truth, it is a story of repaying a debt. The story begins three years ago, after the death of her father. That was when she lost him. Yet Amy still had her cousin, Raymond. Raymond was an intelligent and talented young man. He had achieved excellent grades at university and was now a neurosurgeon. Raymond had never planned to marry Amy, but a promise he made to Philip—Amy’s father—changed everything. Now three years have passed since their wedding.

AMY (softly) Raymond… can I ask you something? Raymond looks up. Calm. Attentive. Professional almost. RAYMOND Of course. A pause. Amy’s eyes lower to the table. AMY Do you ever think about… what’s next? Raymond leans back slightly. RAYMOND Next? AMY For us. Another pause. Longer this time. Raymond’s expression doesn’t change, but something behind his eyes shifts — calculation, perhaps. AMY I’ve been thinking… maybe… maybe a child would be good for us. She doesn’t smile when she says it. It’s not excitement. It’s hope disguised as logic. The clock ticks again. Raymond does not respond immediately. He looks at her — really looks at her — as if seeing the space between them for the first time. His fingers rest on the table. Still.