Sam had spent his entire...
Sam had spent his entire life being "practical." He'd been brought up to think things through, to do what was "reasonable." Now he was faced with a situation that didn't fit any of his habitual responses. Sam was facing a choice which called for an immediate answer, but he didn't operate that way. Never before had he been so torn; never before had his heart spoken so loudly -- and in such direct opposition to what his reason said was "sensible." "Good grief!" Sam thought. "I have responsibilities -- Susan and the kids. I can't just quit my job, sell my house (our house ... their house).