So don’t believe the promise yet.

Watch what I do.”

She was silent, then asked about my job, my house, and whether I expected to travel for work.

I answered each question precisely.

My civilian position required occasional day trips, no long overseas deployments.

I could arrange my hours with advance notice.

I had a spare bedroom that could remain a spare bedroom until anyone was comfortable thinking of it differently.

“I’m not asking for weekends next month,” I said.