PERMISSION

ning to the weight of our silence. His breath was even, like sleep came easily to him, but I could

ds, sketching patterns on the walls. My mind looped through every word I'd said, every word he

ack of the door like a stranger's arm. I wrapped it around me and made coffee, finge

than was standin

tless sleep. His eyes were tired. Not angry. Not confused. Just tired, like he'd b

e," he

ge in his mouth. Not

want to do t

ll lost somewhere betw

it right," he s

him, barel

"You don't get to do this in se

. My throat wa

hands. His fingers brushed mine. There was h

et to disapp

't wan

and winced. "You stil

of me, almost a laugh. Som

waist. Held me like he hadn't in months

u need me to be

y witness," I whisp

d something deeper than words. "The

e. "What d

r. I'm not a voyeur, Claire. I'm your husband. If this i

elt sharp, like a st

o touch you in fro

shed.

to undress you?

My heart thudd

y i

she knows what I need. Like s

slow. "You want

l like I exist

rching my face. "Th

h flipped

e don't name ourselves. We don't tell her anything

I don't know h

help

to me. I stared at the blank messag

he said. "Only this time, say it

ith shaki

ld everything. You'll know what I need before I ask. You'll take your time

d over my

ll her the wife asked for permissi

it. Hi

in the world now.

the first

e wo

ee

dy lit up l

and glanced at me. "Le

like that

rning

ndoi

for