When we first got married, my wife would always take a bath before bed. But she stopped once I told her it was so cute.

I always thought it was adorable – the way she would close both the bathroom door and the shower curtain, the way she would brush her teeth while both were still soggy and wet, the way she would shiver as she put on pajamas.<br><br>But it was the bath that really got me – always right before bed, like clockwork, without fail, a lengthy bath to get the muscles relaxed just right for the night ahead. She always smiled at me when she saw me watching, and I couldn’t help but smile back.<br><br>So I told her. Told her I thought it was cute.<br><br>But the baths didn’t stop. She just locked the bedroom door.<br><br>Then it was the shower curtain. I saw her once, drawing the water just right, before she realized I was there and threw a towel over her shoulder.<br><br>Then it was her teeth. But by then I knew not to say anything – because once I did, the habit would be gone, and I didn’t want to lose any more of her.<br><br>Still, I can’t help but wonder what it is she’s protecting herself from. And from who.