Fred had returned home from the bar in a daze that night. Even Emma had not been able to cheer him up. He had gone straight for a shower and then got into bed, avoiding all questions but the sleep had not come easy.

　　He knew things were getting progressively worse between them. In fact, he was sure that Rose knew that, too, but this scared him. He did not know if their marriage could handle another almost divorce. There was also a possibility that she had said those because ...