knew?”
“Not immediately. My husband told me later.”
“And you said nothing?”
“I thought you’d survive a dead hero better than a husband who chose someone else.”
“That wasn’t your decision!”
“I know.”
“You let me wait!”
“I thought I’d tell you eventually.”
“Eventually? Helen, it’s been fifty-five years.”
Her eyes filled.
“Every year I waited made it harder. After five years, I had to admit I’d lied to you for five years. After twenty, I had to admit I’d watched you build your whole life around that lie.”
“And
