My Husband Erased My Name From the Project I Built

1.

The third year of my marriage was the first time I was allowed to attend Percy Matthews's research group gala.

The staff at the check-in table went through the guest list three times before finally asking me, politely,

"Excuse me, whose family are you here with?"

"Percy Matthews's wife."

She paused, her gaze sliding past me to Julia Donaldson, already seated at the head table.

Percy saw me and got up, coming over.

"Why are you only getting here now? Julia saved you a seat, in the third row."

He said it so easily, as if the distance between the third row and the head table were just a few rows of chairs, and not three years of marriage.

Once I sat down, I opened the brochure on the table.

The back cover carried the group photo for the "Cloudcrest Abbey North Wall Joint Preservation Project."

I knew nearly everyone in the picture.

Everyone except me.

The photo was dated the tenth of last month.

That night, Percy had told me the university needed him to stay late, and told me not to wait up to eat with him.

As the event wound down, Julia came over to say hello.

"Ms. Swanson, next time the group has a dinner I'll let you know in advance. Percy always forgets to tell the people at home."

I nodded and said that would be nice.

On the drive back, Percy asked me what I felt like eating tonight.

I watched the streetlamps slide backward past the window, and suddenly couldn't remember what I was supposed to say.

...

The car stopped at a red light.

I set the brochure on my lap, my thumb pressing down on that photo on the back cover.

"The joint project for the Cloudcrest Abbey north wall. Why didn't you tell me?"

Percy held the wheel, his eyes on the road ahead.

"You haven't done restoration work in three years. It's perfectly normal that you're not on the project roster anymore."

"What I'm asking is why you didn't tell me."

He was silent for two seconds.

"What difference would it have made if I had?"

The line wasn't heavy, but it dropped into my chest like a stone.

I turned to look at him.

"And the third row?"

"Julia's running the whole gala. Sitting at the head table makes it easier to coordinate. And you don't like the socializing anyway. It's quieter in the back."

I lifted the brochure and pointed at the fountain pen in Julia's hand.

"That pen is mine."

Percy's brow tightened slightly.

In the photo, Julia stood at his side, holding that black fountain pen.

There was a faint scratch along the edge of the cap, left there the day I went with him to pick it out.

"That was taken on the spur of the moment."

"Didn't you say your stomach was bothering you and I shouldn't wait for you at dinner?"

"I said not to wait for me at dinner. I never said I wasn't feeling well."

"Is there a difference, for me?"

The red light turned green.

He pressed the gas, his tone already back to calm, as if that accusation of a moment ago had only been something I imagined.

When the car reached the gate of our complex, his phone rang.

Julia's name lit up on the screen.

"What is it?"

She said a few things on the other end. He glanced at the rearview mirror.

"The liaison group's photo is still missing one? The brochure goes to print first thing in the morning, so they want me to go back and add it."

He hung up and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Go on home first. I'll be back soon."

"I'll come with you."

"There's no need."

"Didn't you say the photo wasn't important? I might as well come see exactly how many times an unimportant photo has to be redone."

He gave me a look, said nothing more, and started the car again.

The lights in the gala hall were still on.

Julia stood below the stage, phone in hand.

When she saw me, she came over with a smile.

"Ms. Swanson, would you mind taking a photo for us? Percy says you have the best eye for framing."

The phone landed in my palm, its edge digging into my thumb.

I looked over at Percy.

He stood off to the side, his brow furrowing for a moment, but all he did was hurry me along.

"Gladys Swanson, don't keep everyone waiting."

I raised the phone.

In the frame, Julia leaned half a step closer to him, their shoulders almost touching.

The host teased with a laugh,

"Percy and Julia really look like a married couple. There's such a natural chemistry when they stand together."

Percy didn't deny it. He only gave the camera a faint smile.

The shutter clicked.

The edge of the phone pressed a red mark into my fingertip.

I handed the phone back to Julia, turned, and walked out of the hall.

I had just reached the campus gate when my phone rang.

An unsaved number.

I answered, and heard a voice I hadn't heard in a long time.

"Ms. Swanson, the final trial restoration on the Cloudcrest Abbey north wall has only one slot left."

Jeremy Vance paused.

"Three years ago, you completed the baseline stability testing on the edge zone. Your original data is the only complete record the expert panel has kept."

"You were first in line back then. You just didn't continue after that."

"This time, the panel has agreed to reinstate your final trial-restoration credential."

"We leave at seven tomorrow morning. Will you come?"

I turned and looked back.

Percy was still standing at the door of the gala hall, Julia beside him, saying something.

The light fell over the two of them, like a portrait already taken.

I gripped the phone tighter.

"I'll come."