Titles and Forgiveness

In the short story "The Paring Knife" by Michael Oppenheimer, the narrator always refers to his life partner as "the woman I love." I think he refrains from using the regular titles of 'wife' or 'girlfriend' or 'lover' because even though they are all socially acceptable, they are still slightly shaded with connotations of possession and objectification. There is no possessive or defining adjective, and all the vulnerability falls on his shoulders. She is simply the woman he loves. While cleaning under the refrigerator one day, he finds a small paring knife and remembers the story that goes with it: a serious fight, a frustrated swipe at the contents on the kitchen table, and their reconciliation.

"I was about to ask the woman I love if she remembered that incident when she came in from the next room and without saying a word, picked up the knife from the table and slid it back under the refrigerator."

The paring knife seems similar to an argument - relatively small, yet sharp enough to cut a relationship in half. However, it's been forgotten, collecting dust under the fridge instead of being used every day. When the woman that he loves slides the knife back to it's dark corner, she's telling him that only their reunion after the fight should be remembered. Perhaps love without titles or restraints results in the strong return of affection that eludes the grasp of love with restrictions.