Lauren has been aware of the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of separating in people’s behavior toward her those aspects that have to do with herself from those that have to do with her maternal family and its fabulous wealth. Today she pointed out in marriage counseling that I should be aware of this link, as well. No matter how much I endeavor not to partake in this wealth, people will see me as someone who can afford to do many strange things because of the protection that wealth provides. A fair point, too. This nexus potentially devalues, or renders meaningless, nearly everything I have been doing in the world of art. Lauren’s intention was twofold. On the one hand, she wanted me to feel closer to her own lot; on the other, she wanted me to better appreciate the privileged position that I enjoy because of her and her family. The trouble is that she has provided me with the first incontrovertible argument for divorce.