The Cabin.

"If we ever grew old together--and I know we won't--but if we did I know exactly where I'd want to retire. There's an empty plot near Ocean Shores that I'd buy."

Alan shows me a map. The plot is tucked back into the woods on a little hill, and a meandering stream flows down the hill to the sea.

"I'd build a cabin facing to the west. You can smell the sea in the breeze and every night we could watch the sun set over the ocean. There's wild salmon and trout in the stream and sometimes you see seals on the beach.

"Of course it's never gonna happen. I'll never be able to move there and you wouldn't be with me if I did.

"There's no air pollution there. On a clear night you can see all the stars."