I Took My Husband’s Phone In For Repair. The Technician, A Family Friend, Pulled Me Aside And Said,

We raised three children in our modest Victorian on Munjoy Hill. Watched them grow, marry, move away, and return for holidays with grandchildren in tow. I worked as a librarian for 37 years before retiring.

Robert still practices dentistry three days a week, though he talks constantly about full retirement. We are, by all accounts, ordinary. Comfortable.

Safe. That morning, Robert had already left for his office. He’d been agitated the night before—pacing the kitchen, checking his phone repeatedly.

When I asked what was wrong, he’d smiled that practiced smile I’d seen him use with nervous patients and said, “Just a billing issue with the practice. Nothing to worry about, Stella.” I’d learned long ago not to press Robert when he used that tone. Our marriage had been built on a foundation of mutual respect and carefully maintained boundaries.

Continue reading…