Then my mother rolled up her sleeves and revealed the scars she had hidden for years. She explained that she had been badly injured in a fire while she and my father were engaged. When he learned what happened, he rushed inside searching for her and then remained by her side throughout months of painful recovery. She had felt ashamed of her scars and repeatedly told him to leave, but he refused, telling her that he wanted to marry her—not her arms.
For years, my mother wore long sleeves even in the middle of summer. One day I finally asked, “Did Dad do something to you?” She went pale, closed the door, and said something that frightened me even more…
