Elliott and I established our own contours of marriage. Something that started so haphazardly looked like a well-thought-out decision. I loved him. His reputation did not dwarf mine, but rather we were on equal footing. I loved that about Elliott. We made a great team. A true partnership.

However, the interactions with my men recalibrated. Griffin and I no longer spoke or texted. Even when Henry and I spoke, it was superficial and usually about Daddy. The easy rhythm we once shared had been forfeited. Both the girls and Henry told me to be patient. I hated it. I showed restraint out of love for Henry. I realized that my desire for Griffin to heal was greater than my need to offer up a lame apology. Yet, when I heard his name, the air grew thin, and all the pathways around my heart constricted. I still found it hard to breathe.

It reminded me of when the boys left for college. While I was so bereft in the wake of their absence, I found myself. As undone as I was about Griffin, my once-hibernating career returned in robust fashion.

As was his habit, Elliott greeted me at the door and ushered me into his office.

“Hello, wife.” He kissed me. This was always a signal that he was in a good mood or feeling frisky.

“Shall I lock the door?”

“No need. Something has come to my attention.” He sounded grave. “Something is lacking in our marriage.” It immediately put me on guard. I feared that it was something on my part. “Relax, my very serious wife. I think you’ll like this. Do you realize we never took a proper honeymoon?” He smiled. I relaxed. “Settle down. Nothing grand. Neither one of us can be away from work that long. But what about a long weekend in the Hamptons? I have already rented a cottage. The last week of April is supposed to be magnificent.”

“Can we afford this?”

“Now, Bailey.”

I relented.

The vacation was something extraordinary and surprising. We left our harsher natures behind. It was as if I left my hard-charging and serious self right at the city limits.

We lingered in bed. We laughed. We talked. We strolled hand in hand on the beach. I discovered a deeper bond with this lovely man who had become my husband and was taking my life journey with me.