I spent several days with Greta Miller. When she wanted to talk, I buried my head in my phone, replying to friends' messages. After several failed attempts to engage me, she stopped trying to make conversation.

When it was finally time for her to leave, I couldn’t spare the time to see her off at the airport. That evening, in the hotel, I said my farewells.

As Greta Miller packed her clothes, she dragged out irrelevant topics of conversation. I grew increasingly impatient. Noticing my impatience, she paused her packing and looked at me, her eyes reddening.

I was uncomfortable with her and wanted to walk away.

She wiped away...