I learned to tell him when a delayed reply to a message awakened the fear that he’d concealed something.

We did not pretend trust could be restored on a schedule.

One evening, after a difficult conversation, he asked whether I regretted stopping at his office with the medication.

I considered the question.

If I hadn’t stopped, Lucas might have eventually told me.

Or he might have found another reason to delay.

I could not know.

“I regret that you lied,” I answered.