The relief went away.

“You’re apologizing for the hour.

You still want the same thing.”

“I’m trying to compromise.”

“Where is the part of that compromise where you tell them your wife belongs at her son’s birthday?”

He sat on the edge of the spare chair but did not answer.

My phone vibrated on the desk.

A message from work confirmed the arrangements for my return from leave and the command briefing on Monday morning.