“What do you believe your spouse needs from you?”
I said, “Respect.”
Michael said, “Presence.”
Then Dr. Reyes asked, “What does respect look like to Michael?”
She asked Michael, “What does presence look like to Emily?”
That became our work. I began leaving work by seven two evenings a week. Not for Michael. I had lunch with my parents without checking email. I helped Sophie build a cardboard solar system for school. My life became so efficient that I had accidentally removed most of the space where relationships actually happen. Michael changed too.
He stopped using phrases like “our condo” when discussing legal ownership.
He created a separate savings account for his investment goals. I learned that from Aaron, not from Michael.
When I asked why he had not told me, he said, “I didn’t want you to think I was doing it for credit.”
Linda stayed away. Would you be willing to have coffee with me? Just us. If not, I understand. Linda arrived early. I never seen Linda nervous.
