“She loved him so much. Even when she hated him.”

“That was not her husband; she knew him, and that was not him. But of course she didn’t really know him.”

“So she forgave him. And instead she berated herself for her suspicion, for her snooping. For the things she promised herself she wouldn't do, the feelings she wouldn't have.”

“She knew what he was thinking: if she was asking questions like these, she was trying to understand. Trying to forgive him. He was right.”

“The new man was again staring at her, staring at him, challenging her, knowing that she was considering him, wanting her to know that he was considering her. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be with a man who absolutely didn't need her, but merely wanted her.”

“She spent so much of her new life wanting to get a break from the kids, then the rest of her time impatient to get back to them.”

“She understood that he had to work, and he had to travel. But what he didn't have to do was be absent even when he was present.”