There had been no proof of an affair, only a photograph and a stranger’s suggestion, yet I had treated them as a verdict.

Lauren had explained that Patrick was helping her arrange a surprise retirement dinner for my father.

I dismissed the explanation because believing it would have required me to admit that I had judged her unfairly.

Each argument made me more stubborn.

I was proud of my discipline in uniform and astonishingly careless with the person who loved me.

I went home angry, refused to listen, and allowed our marriage to dissolve into paperwork and silence.

Three weeks after our divorce became final, I left Montana for an overseas assignment.