I Was Christmas Shopping With My Mother-in-Law When I Saw My Husband Holding Another Woman’s Hand—Then She Whispered, “Don’t React. Watch Me.”

Nothing.

Eight.

Eleanor stopped checking the window.

Richard, my father-in-law, ate silently.

No one pretended Christmas shopping had been normal.

At nine-thirteen, Jonathan texted me.

Samantha is having a difficult night. I need to help her. We’ll talk tomorrow.

I read it twice.