Chapter 31

"Manuel?" The voice of Aunt Clara filled the air. She had also come to visit, "what are you doing standing outside, come right inside!" She said as Manuel nodded before trudging into the house and seating on the old cushion. 

"Manuel, tell me why you are here exactly. Is everything alright?" Jessica asked, rocking her baby softly in her hand. 

"Uhmm___ something bad happened to Travis!" Manuel said and Jessica's mouth was instantly left hanging open with no words finding their way out. 

Jessica looked stunned and at the same time perplexed. She couldn't explain the rate at which her heart was thumping hard. 

She simply wondered if what had happened to her husband was really that bad. "Wha__ what's it? What happened to him? Please, tell me." Jessica begged as her voice came out shakily.

"He was left behind in a distant place in Dubai," Manuel said.

"Mother, did I hear what he said correctly? Uh oh,__ father left the country and went ab