“Of course, sweetheart,” I said.

My voice sounded almost gentle.

I was not agreeing to give him the house.

I was letting him finish speaking before the conversation changed.

He relaxed a little.

That small release in his shoulders showed how little he had expected me to do while he was gone.

He thought I was the woman who had stood beside the couch and asked him not to leave.

I was still that woman.