He knew I served in the Army.

He knew I had responsibilities that took me away from home.

Nothing about my uniform, my identification, or the fact that other officers reported to me was a secret from the man I had married.

But knowledge can become strangely selective inside a family.

When Margaret asked what I did, Ethan usually said I worked for the government.

If she pressed, he said administration.

When I explained more, she would mention someone else’s nephew who worked in an office and then change the subject.