I kept trying to explain that a pregnancy involving four babies required careful monitoring.

He treated every explanation as an attempt to win an argument.

Then came the morning outside the military courthouse.

He had brought the divorce documents, already prepared.

He said the marriage had become impossible and that he would not be pressured into abandoning his assignment.

“I’m not asking you to abandon anything,” I told him.

“I’m asking you to acknowledge your children.”

“You can say whatever you want,” he answered.