At 2:00 a.m., My Husband Thought I Was Asleep While He Emptied Our Safe to Run Off With His Mistress. Before Leaving, He Kissed Me and Whispered, “Poor Audrey. You Never Saw This Coming.” Hours Later He Sent a Photo From the Airport. I Replied With Four Words That Made Him Call Me Immediately.

We ate in the kitchen.

Ruth told stories I already knew and a few I did not: my mother walking out of a bank meeting because a man had explained her own balance sheet to her, my mother hiring Eleanor after three other directors said Eleanor was too severe.

Severe, it turned out, was a compliment.

“She would be proud,” Ruth said.

“She would be busy telling me what is still unfinished,” I said.

“That is how she showed pride.”