Only a short time later, a loud shout came from outside. I stepped onto the porch, pretending to be surprised, and found my husband bent over in discomfort, clutching his stomach with panic written across his face.
He hurried back toward the house, demanding to know what had happened. I kept my expression calm and simply suggested that perhaps it was nerves before such an important meeting. My words carried the same casual tone he had used with me for months.
Whatever confidence he had walked out the door with disappeared almost instantly. His carefully planned appearance no longer mattered as he rushed inside, abandoning whatever destination had seemed so important only moments before.
While he dealt with the consequences, I quietly picked up my purse, refreshed my lipstick, grabbed my keys, and headed toward the front door. For the first time in months, I felt completely in control of my own decisions-
