I realized how rare it was for her to hear me say no without cushioning it in an apology.

When Kenneth came home, he was unusually affectionate.

He offered to book the vacation we’d postponed, asked what flowers I wanted in the backyard, and carried the laundry basket upstairs without being asked.

I watched him perform the life we were supposed to have while a disputed signature sat in a bank’s file.

I wondered whether he knew what I had discovered.

I wondered whether he believed a few small favors would make the question disappear.