Simply because I was going back to work, and there was no reasonable reason to hide that fact.

I called Howard to discuss the documents he had prepared.

“Keep the military business separate,” he said.

“Your rank has nothing to do with who owns a property or what arrangements you and Ethan may need.”

“I know.”

“Then don’t let an angry morning persuade you otherwise.”

I did not resent the warning.

I had been imagining what Margaret’s face might look like if she finally saw the part of my life she kept reducing to a vague phrase.