Daniel said, "She's in corporate marketing."
I stared at him.
"I'm a middle school librarian."
"I know."
"Why would you say that?"
He winced.
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do."
He looked down.
"Because everyone there was impressive."
That answer took a second.
"What does that mean?"
"Executives. Consultants. People with big careers. Their spouses too."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You were embarrassed that I'm a librarian?"
"No."
"Then explain the lie."
He got defensive.
"I wasn't embarrassed by you."
"You replaced my job."
"It was one stupid comment."
"No. Apparently you built a woman around it."
He went silent.
That was exactly what had happened.
Once he'd told one coworker that his wife worked in marketing, he kept going.
People asked questions.
Daniel said his wife traveled for work sometimes.
That explained why she wasn't at happy hours.
