The man in the basement of Mrs. Gomez was her husband. There was one time when the husbands were given a chance to leave Main Town or confine themselves in that large prison camp. Mrs. Gomez tried to isolate Mr. Gomez in a well that was fixed firmly in their backyard. It’s soiled, mossed, and no one would even try to peek in it. After a month of close inspection, Mr. Gomez climbed up back to the real world. In the middle of the night, Mr. and Mrs. Gomez went into the basement of the bakery. Mr. Gomez had been trying to live with whatever he was provided with. For most of the time, Mr. Gomez was eating pastries and occasionally his favorite, spaghetti with meatballs. It had been almost a year since Mr. Gomez stayed in the basement.
“When can I go out of this hell?” Mr. Gomez stood up, restless. Mrs. Gomez embraced him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I think it will be very soon,” Mrs. Gomez smiled at him. “You know what, the council had a meeting tonight, here.”
“Seriously? Mrs. Lando chose your bakery as the meeting place?”
“Ours, Jacob,” she touched his cheeks. He asked what the meeting was about. “That’s why I think you will be free soon because Mayor Perez is coming here. Our plans with the Yncierto’s and the Cortez’s, hopefully, will work out this time.”
Mr. Gomez went back to the bed and sat. Mrs. Gomez followed beside him.
“It must be. Do you think we could ask more people to help us? Has Mrs. Lando been gaining many converts?” Mrs. Gomez sighed and stooped. “It’s okay, Babe. Let’s plan more and hope to see more of the families realize that this is just a selfish scheme of Mayor Perez,” Mr. Gomez’s countenance glowed with enthusiasm. Mrs. Gomez smiled at him and embraced him once again.
On the next day, Mrs. Gomez visited the Cortez’s. She knocked on their door. No one answered. Mrs. Gomez knocked on the door once again. Finally, the door opened. Mrs. Gomez was surprised. Mrs. Lando welcomed her with a glass of wine in her hand.
“Is Mrs. Cortez here?” Mrs. Gomez’s face was still in shock. She froze by the door.
“Are you okay, Lucy?” Mrs. Lando sipped some white wine wearing a long, flowing blue dress. “She is in her bedroom. Do you want me to call her?” Mrs. Gomez nodded, and she let Mrs. Gomez enter the house.
Mrs. Cortez confidently, like a model, walked down the stairs with a dress that resembled Mrs. Lando’s long blue flowing dress. Mrs. Gomez opened her mouth really wide, and her eyes grew big.
“A pleasant morning, Mrs. Gomez. What can I do for you?” Mrs. Cortez spoke like she was a resource speaker in a seminar. Mrs. Gomez quickly stood up, and Mrs. Lando looked up to her like she was a deity. Mrs. Gomez froze again. She couldn’t open her mouth to say something.
“Lucy?” Mrs. Lando asked her again, and Mrs. Cortez smiled at Mrs. Gomez.
“Actually, I forgot what I was about to say. You look so stunning, Mrs. Cortez. Also, you, Mrs. Lando. What’s the occasion?” Mrs. Gomez swiftly diverted her topic and carried a grin.
Mrs. Lando cheered up as she announced that both of them would meet the Mayor. They would relay what was agreed last night and finalize the activities for her coming visit to Main Town. Mrs. Gomez forced a smile.
“Wow! That’s good news! So excited for you both!” Mrs. Gomez held on to the arm of the chair she was sitting on. “Are you going now?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Cortez smiled at her. “By the way, what do you need, Mrs. Gomez? I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Cortez’s eyes seemed teary.
“Nothing. Actually, I forgot. But it’s great to see you, Mrs. Cortez and you, Mrs. Lando,” Mrs. Gomez bowed to both of them and went for the door.
Mrs. Gomez went out of the house with a long face. While walking back home, Mrs. Gomez heard something.
“Psst!” the sound was very annoying, and Mrs. Gomez was looking where it came from until her name was called out. It was Mrs. Yncierto standing on her front lawn. They both quicky went inside.
“Lucy, we’re almost ready,” Mrs. Gomez’s eyes grew big. She couldn’t move her mouth.
“James finished concocting all the antidote last night,” Mrs. Yncierto was panting. “We are so ready to fight Mayor Perez!”
To be continued…
MATTers 