ANETTE’S STOMACH LURCHED, sending spasms of nausea through her body. Sure, she had experienced situations in life before that had provoked a fierce case of nerves, but only a few times and always for a plausible reason. The physics final in high school, that time when they were waiting for her father’s test results, that first ultrasound scan of the baby. Real challenges. Not like this, sitting in the car, afraid to go into her own home to her husband and child.

Anette rested her head against the steering wheel. She hadn’t been unfaithful, she must hold on to that fact. There wasn’t actually anything for her to feel guilty about, was there? People went on business trips and slept with random strangers left and right, and here she was, on the verge of throwing up over having innocently fantasized about another man. It was ridiculous!

She got out of the car and found her house key. Maybe she’d feel better if she told Svend about it. They could usually talk about anything, maybe he would understand? It was just plain enthusiasm for another person who happened to be of the opposite sex. She had always been curious and had an appetite for life.

That’s one of the things he loves about me, she reminded herself as she opened the front door.

The scent of something baking and roasting wafted out to meet her. Bossa nova was playing on the sound system, and she could hear Svend singing along in the kitchen. Anette hung her jacket on a hook in the front hall and hesitantly moved through the living room. She had anticipated coming home to a dark house and a husband who had fallen asleep while tucking in Gudrun.

She opened the door to the kitchen and saw Svend standing with his back to her, chopping herbs. Pots and pans with wonderful smells were bubbling away on the stove and a browned roast sat on the table. Her husband had poured wine and was wearing his favorite apron. A pair of exposed butt cheeks revealed that he wasn’t wearing anything else.

Anette stood frozen in the doorway. Before they had had a child, they would sometimes buy fresh fish or game—skate wings, quail—and alternate for a whole weekend between cooking and making love. One of many things they didn’t do anymore. She studied her husband’s bare back with an unfamiliar skepticism. Whereas she had lost weight and gotten into shape since the baby, Svend had only packed on the pounds. The apron tie dug into his back fat, creating an upper and lower bulge.