“I know how long I’ve been married.” A pause. “I just wanted you to know.” “Can I come over? Can we talk about this in person?” “I need some time to myself right now.” “Alright.” He kept his voice steady. “Can I speak to Samuel? Is he —” “He’s not here.” “Do you have a number where I can reach him? I’d just like to —”
“Ray.” Her voice was careful in a way that felt deliberate, like she was measuring every word. “Please just give me some space. I’ll call you when I’m ready.” She hung up. Ray sat in the back office of his hardware store for a long moment, surrounded by the ordinary sounds of the business he’d spent forty years building. He tried Samuel’s number. It rang out.