My shoe slipped, but I don’t think I injured anything.”

“Do you want to leave?”

“Not yet.”

He nodded and took my hand lightly, leaving the next movement to me.

That small choice was one reason I had married him.

He could be decisive at work and patient with me without treating the difference as a concession.

He did not confuse loving somebody with knowing what they should do before they knew themselves.

Elaine reached the lobby as he was speaking.