College

Miri leaving for college symbolizes a turning point in the family’s life, marking the moment when Tom and Amy move into an empty nest stage. For many years their identities and routines were organized around raising their children, and Miri’s departure removes that shared purpose. This change forces both of them to confront what remains of their relationship once the structure of family life is no longer the main focus. For Tom in particular, Miri’s move represents the end of a long chapter of adulthood, prompting him to remember his earlier decision that he would leave his marriage once Miri left home.

Road Trip

The road trip symbolizes a period of reflection and uncertainty in Tom’s life. After dropping Miri at college, he chooses to keep driving rather than returning home, turning a short journey into a longer, open ended one. The...