Indeed, this seems to be the situation in Mr. Coffee. When the narrator is going through a rough spell in his life things start to go down the hill. That is where the miscommunication begins. "I don't know what we were thinking in those days", exclaims the narrator. Ultimately, some kind trust is restored the couple is reunited at the end of the story. .
In two of the stories, Neighbors and Feathers, couples aspire for a change. They seem to be more or less tired of their own lives and they receive an impulse which encourages them to do something about their mediocrity. In Neighbors, however, the change is clearer. Bill and Arlene Miller live their lives one day to the next without finding any special stimulus in their relationship. This is not the case with their neighbors, the Stones, who seem to have a satisfying and somewhat exiting relationship. The Millers get an opportunity to take a peak into their neighbors" lives when the Stones leave to visit their relatives for ten days and they are asked to take care of the house. Both Bill and Arlene visit the apartment and little by little their own affair becomes more passionate. They even find themselves making love during the day, which is a result of their new-found inspiration. By dressing in their neighbors" clothes and wandering around the house the Millers try to find a stronger and more exiting identity which they perhaps once possessed. Nevertheless, in spite of this adventure they are "doomed" to their own sad lives. As they lock themselves out of the Stones" apartment, at the same time they realise they have to return to their own daily mediocrity. .
As mentioned, also in Feathers a couple is faced with a change in their lives. In contrast to Neighbors, however, theewhat happy but a simple couple. They love each other despite their seemingly poor economic status and each others" physical shortcomings. The manifestation of their happiness is their new-born baby, which is the reason for Jack and Fran's visit.