My husband went to see his mother in the hospital by himself because she “needed peace”—but a month later, when I finally went there, a nurse handed me a note that made my knees give out.

jacket pocket for a restaurant I’d never heard of, sixty miles in the wrong direction from the hospital. And the new perfume on his collar, something sharp and floral that wasn’t mine.

I wanted to believe him.

***

The next day, I called the hospital directly. A young nurse answered.

“I’d like to check on Patricia in the rehab wing, please. This is her continue reading …