He knew our savings could cover some of the costs.
Not all of them.
So he started taking extra shifts.
At first, he told himself it would only be temporary.
Then the bills kept coming.
And he kept working.
“I thought I could solve it,” he said.
I looked at him.
“By yourself?”
He nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
“Because I knew you’d try to sell the house.”
I said nothing.
“You’d sell the car. You’d empty your savings. You’d stop buying anything for yourself.”
He paused.
“And I couldn’t let you do that.”
I looked toward Emily.
“She’s our daughter.”
“I know.”
“I’m her mother.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you make me a stranger in her life?”
He covered his face.
“I thought I was protecting you.”
I sat down beside him.
