25 Years Ago
Maybe it had been out of instinct that made Gumamela’s hand immediately pull the lever and open Jeffrey’s car door. She fully revealed herself, her expression a mix of shame and apprehension. The former was because she realized that it would never sound normal for a married woman to be with a man alone on a trip until past sundown. She didn’t know how to defend herself in this situation; indeed, she had made the mistake of acting out on her own. It felt like a bucket of iced water was poured over her head. The latter was because she was terrified of how alien to her her husband’s visage the moment he got out of his vehicle. He neither looked angry nor upset. He just simply looked at her.
“Gumamela Belmonte,” he stated her full name. “My beautiful wife, let’s go home.”
His t
