"I want my wife not to be afraid of my touch. Afraid of... Me." Would she fear him every time he turned around sharply? Was it to much to ask for her to believe that he was contrite, when he was?
"You back off as if I have ever beaten you. Had I..." He shook his head, had he known it was her? What would he have done? Even he couldn't fathom that answer. "I am trying to make this work, because I love you. I am trying."
He was better off sleeping with a rock in the bed.