"James, what did you do to this poor young lady again?" the grandmother asked, unable to keep her thoughts to herself any longer.
"Nothing, Grandma. We’re fine," James replied, taking Zelda's hand in his and resting it on the table for everyone to see.
Zelda's first instinct was to pull her hand away, but, sensing the eyes around the table, she let it stay, suppressing her frustration.
"You are very lucky to have Zelda as your wife," the grandmother continued, her voice firm but filled with warmth. "I hope you know that, James, and that you cherish her. Because if you lose her, I don’t know what will become of you."
"I know that, Grandma," James said, his voice lowering with a hint of acknowledgement.
But Helen, unable to hold back, interjected, "What’s so special about Ze
