“We’ll work it out.”

His answers were quick and warm.

Every practical question became a small problem he said could be solved later.

I never saw the company announcement.

I never spoke to anyone at his office about the contest.

I saw the letter he showed me, heard his explanation, and took his excitement as confirmation.

It did not occur to me to ask my husband for proof of good news.

For a few days, we talked about clothing and ports rather than bills.