Years earlier, after our first pregnancy loss, I had overheard the same woman telling him to be patient with me.

At the time, patience had sounded like love.

In the hallway now, it sounded like a strategy.

I called the number printed on the paperwork, asked to verify the application status, and was directed to a loan officer.

She couldn’t disclose everything over the phone.

She could, however, schedule a meeting with the person named as owner.

I accepted the appointment for the next morning.

At dinner Kenneth asked why I had been so quiet.