My husband, Herman, was the captain of an ocean freighter. Ten months out of every year, he was somewhere adrift on the sea.

I had always trusted him completely—except for one small, private habit no one ever noticed.

Every time his ship docked for resupply, I’d invite Alice, the first mate’s wife, out for a couple of drinks.

She wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep things to herself. A few glasses in, and the secrets came pouring out.