became irritated when I asked ordinary questions. He started treating any curiosity about his schedule as an attack on his independence.
And gradually, our conversations became shorter.
“How was work?”
“Fine.”
“Are you coming home for dinner?”
“Probably.”
“Will you be here this weekend?”
“I don’t know yet.”
I learned to stop asking questions when his jaw tightened.
I learned to recognize the sound of his keys hitting the counter late at night.
I learned that when he said, “I’m too tired for this,” he meant that my feelings were
