The trip had come together quickly. My mother agreed to take my nieces. I found two seats on a nonstop flight, and both Teo and I were able to dig out our passports and pack in two days.

When I’d chosen a hotel by the airport, I’d gone for a well-known chain that probably had hotels in heaven and hell, since they had everything in between. I assumed we wouldn’t get into our room until it was nearly dark, and tomorrow we were leaving after breakfast to catch a bus to a boat to a... I didn’t want to think about traveling again.

“Almost there,” I said, as we got out of the shuttle. “And into our room soon.”

We were at the door by then, but he stopped. “Our room?”

“The hotel is overflowing. I was lucky to book one.”

“Did you try to book two?”

I couldn’t tell if he was pleased or upset. “Well, it seemed silly. But, it’s a suite, so there’s a pullout sofa. That’s kind of like two rooms. I mean, I thought it was pretty darned close, to be honest.”

“You can stop anytime.”

“I can sleep in the lobby. Or the bathtub.”

He looked pale and beyond caring. My heart sank. “Sit. I’ll register.”

He didn’t argue. He took a seat on a chair in the center and closed his eyes.

I didn’t try my pathetic Spanish. The clerk spoke excellent English, and she checked us in quickly. I’d put everything I needed in a backpack and handbag, but Teo had a rolling suitcase and a small pack. Before he could stand I grabbed the suitcase. “We’re on this floor.”

I walked ahead of him and had the door open by the time he arrived. The suite was spacious enough. If sleeping apart really was in the cards, it could be done.

“Why don’t you lie down,” I said.

He went into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. “I have to remove my prosthesis.”

“By all means.”

“I don’t need help.”

He was angry, and so many things suddenly became clear. “I figured you could do it on your own, Teo. Is it bothering you?”

“Yes, it’s bothering me. Sitting, standing, walking, not walking—” He swiped his hand through the air to take care of anything he’d left out.

“Okay, how do you get around without it? I’m assuming there’s a better alternative than hopping on the other leg if you need to get to the bathroom, or drink a glass of water.”

He was gritting his teeth. “I have crutches in my suitcase.”

“They fit? That’s pretty amazing.”

He got up and went to get it, and while he was gone I turned back the covers and fluffed the pillows.

Once he was back I took the suitcase from his hands and set it on the other side of the bed. He more or less collapsed on the sheets and stripped off his jeans—boot cut and wide enough to slip on and off without a lot of difficulty. He wore boxers beneath.