I returned without warning after four years in Canada and found my wife with a shaved head, skin and bones, eating scraps in the backyard. My mother said she had brought this punishment upon herself.

“The accident at the Calgary plant last year wasn’t as minor as I told you.”

For the first time, Brianna stopped pretending she wasn’t interested.

“What accident?”

“A pressure valve ruptured. Three men were injured. I spent months dealing with lawyers, doctors, and the company’s insurance carrier.”

Theresa stepped closer.