The household began feeling different once I kept records.

Not because the situation had changed.

Because I was paying attention.

I noticed how often Daniel referred to our son’s needs as expenses.

How quickly he became angry when the house was noisy.

How Marlene seemed to know about our private disagreements before I’d discussed them with her.

One evening, she sat on the porch drinking iced tea.

Daniel was visible through the kitchen window, putting dishes away.