“What?”
Mr. Whitaker’s voice stayed calm.
“Over twenty years, I attended dozens of company events with Marlene.”
He tilted his head.
“I don’t remember seeing you at any of them.”
A few uncomfortable laughs appeared.
Roy said nothing.
Mr. Whitaker continued.
“Promotions.”
Pause.
“Awards.”
Pause.
“Volunteer events.”
Pause.
“Recognition dinners.”
Long pause.
“I never saw you.”
Roy stared at the floor.
The silence became painful.
Then Mr. Whitaker delivered the sentence everyone would remember.
“The tragedy isn’t that you’re divorcing a remarkable woman.”
He glanced toward me.
“The tragedy is
