makes you comfortable.” He finally nodded. He offered, “I can stay at my brother’s.” “Fine.” He asked, “What do I tell him?” I answered, “The truth.”
“All of it?” The temptation to laugh was almost irresistible. “What version were you planning?” He faltered: “No, I just…” I told him, “Tell him whatever you can live with.”
He packed while I remained at the dining table. When he returned with his suitcase, he stopped at the door. “I am sorry, Claire.” He looked older; perhaps I did too. “I know you’re
