They had private jokes.
She knew when he was stressed before he said anything.
Once, at a company holiday party, I’d watched her hand him a drink without asking what he wanted.
That night, Nathan seemed unusually nervous. He kept checking his phone and barely touched his food.
I noticed because normally he loved the meal I’d made.
Halfway through dinner, Mr. Bennett raised his glass.
“Well, we should probably celebrate.”
I looked around the table.
“Celebrate what?”
His smile disappeared.
He glanced at Nathan.
“So you don’t know yet?”
Nathan immediately put down his fork.
“Not tonight.”
I felt a sudden wave of dread.
“Know what?”
“I assumed you’d already discussed it,” Mr. Bennett said.
Nathan sighed.
“I was going to tell you.”
Mr. Bennett cleared his throat.
“Nathan’s going to Seattle for a few months.”
I stared at my husband.
“You’re what?”
“It’s temporary. Three months. Maybe four.”
“How long have you known?” I asked.
Nathan didn’t answer.
