On difficult nights, he woke embarrassed because he needed help reaching the bathroom.
I never let him apologize.
Once, while I fastened the buttons of his pajama shirt, he caught my wrist.
“Why are you still here?”
I frowned.
“Where exactly would you like me to go?”
“You could leave.”
“So could you.”
He smiled.
“Anna.”
“What?”
“You fulfilled your side of the bargain years ago.”
“There is no bargain anymore.”
His eyes filled with tears.
That frightened me more than anything.
Richard rarely cried.
He lifted my hand and kissed my fingers.
“You deserved so much better.”
“Better than what?”
