Ben nodded.
— Mom’s right.
Olive went back to her school project, and Ben barely touched his food.
When she went to bed, Ben followed me into the bedroom.
— Can we talk?
— Yes. But we’re not going to have the same conversation we already had at the hospital, Ben. Show me the offer.
He handed me the folder.
I read the salary, start date, relocation terms, and schedule before looking up.
— When did you go there?
His silence was already an answer.
— For the conference in May?
— I met with them while I was there.
— So you used a business trip to interview for a job that could move our family across the country.
— I was going to tell you when everything became real.
— Everything became real when you applied, Ben.
He sat on the bed.
— I thought you’d stop it.
— And you were so afraid of hearing “no” that you took away my chance to say anything.
— What do you want me to do now?
— Sleep in the guest room tonight.
He looked up.
— I’m not punishing you. I just need some space.
He nodded.
