My wife, who had no brothers, always said he was "like a younger brother to me." I never saw him as a man either, treating him more like my wife's female friend. He often dropped by our house for meals during his sales rounds, and it wasn't uncommon for him to stay over when he missed the last train. I never felt uneasy about his presence at home. But one day, that reality was thrust directly in front of me, leaving me speechless, unable to respond with anything but empty words. I could only walk away and later confront my wife when night fell.