It was the first time I heard Alan yell at me. Maybe he had long lost patience, but I hadn't been able to hear it, nor had I wanted to.
"Last night, you were with Lucy, right? She's pretty. You've got good taste."
"I told you, I ran into her at a class reunion. Don't overthink it." Alan's tone calmed slightly as he half-heartedly signed.
But his words were different. "Yeah, she's beautiful. She reminds me of you. The old you."
I remind him of her? This mistress? Alan spoke as if it was a compliment.
After the accident, Alan feared I would spiral into depression. For me, he learned sign language, spent days with me at the hospital, and nights studying. His eyes were bloodshot from the strain.
He promised, "If you can never hear again, I'll be your ears for the rest of your life."
The rest of my life? It's only been five years. How could someone change so quickly?
"Alan, if you don't want this marriage, we can divorce. Why cheat on me?" I screamed at him.
"Gloria Smith, I should be asking you that. What right do you have to interrogate me?" The contempt in Alan's eyes was something I couldn't understand.
Maybe my confusion was too obvious. Alan ripped off his tie, irritably snatching my phone.