“How’s everything with you?” I asked. “Pretty good.”

“How are things at the house?”

There was an unusual delay in response, so I waited a couple of moments and asked, “Martha?” I didn’t feel her touch on my back any longer.

There was no answer. I got a little concerned, so I rolled over and looked around the room. She was in the far corner of the room with her face buried in her hands.

“Oh my God, Martha–Is everything okay?”

She whimpered a bit and shook her head in response. I was shocked to see her in this state and for a quick moment, I had no idea what...