A reporter approached and asked whether I wished to comment on Lorraine’s absence.

“Tonight is about the scholarship recipients,” I said.

“I’d rather tell you what they’ve accomplished.”

For once, the refusal to engage was not a strategy to protect my marriage.

It was a choice about what deserved attention.

When I returned home, I found a message from Lorraine: You have stolen my life.

I deleted it after making a copy for counsel.

Then I went to bed and slept until morning.