My grandmother had once told me that a good marriage required generosity, but generosity did not require surrendering the evidence of what was yours.

I kept that lesson, though I ignored many others.

After three difficult years of trying to have a child, we learned I was pregnant.

Gavin cried in the doctor’s office.

He carried the ultrasound picture in his wallet.

For several months he seemed like the man I had married.

Then Judith began holding meetings at our dining table.

Gavin’s company needed new financing.