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The paintings of Italian-born artist Agostino Brunias, who made a profession of depicting the island in subdued, stylized settings that covered up the harsh realities of colonial control, were my first visual introduction to Dominica. However, as soon as I step onto its winding roads, which begin to twist shortly after I arrive, it becomes evident that this region, which is situated in the center of the Lesser Antilles’ curve, is anything but tame. The two-toned leaves of its bois canot trees, which change color from green to white when they sway in the wind, shimmer and bristle with the power of the volcano. It lulls with the erratic sound of its numerous waterfalls, scatters rainbows haphazardly across its breathtaking horizons, and enchants from the depths with its vibrant coral reefs. And it roars come storm season.
The indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica survived invasion by the French and British, who imposed slavery on the Africans who now make up four-fifths of the island’s population and left a linguistic legacy of English and French-based Creole, by mastering the lush tropical rainforest that covers more than 60% of the island. If you visit Trinidad for roti and Jamaica for jerk, you should travel to Dominica for green things like bush rum and flower teas. There are a ton of medicinal herbs in the forest.
The Jungle Bay Dominica resort, located smack dab in the center of the Soufrière jungles, leans into nature instead, maybe realizing the futility of fighting against the earth’s generosity. When I finally get there, the kitchen is closed. Joanne Hilaire, the operations manager, tells me that they never let guests go hungry, though, so I can feel the warmth of Dominica’s welcome. The cook is preparing an excellently stewed dish of beans with taro, rice, and plantain for our late dinner, off the menu, while I have a refreshing ginger-lime cocktail that is a local favorite. When I wake up the following morning, I find that my villa’s doors open onto a private veranda that faces southwest toward Soufrière Bay, where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge. I let the light wake me for the remainder of my stay by leaving my blinds open.
I Found a Love Note Written on Our Bathroom Mirror – But It Wasn’t Meant for Me
Madison thought it was a sweet gesture when she saw a love note on the bathroom mirror after a fun night out with her husband, Ryan. The note said, “Miss you already, last night was amazing! XOXO.” She immediately assumed it was from Ryan and texted him a thank-you. But his response puzzled her: “Uh, what note, Madison?” He quickly followed up with a strange, casual message claiming he had left the note but forgot. Something about his response felt off, and Madison couldn’t shake the feeling that the note wasn’t meant for her. Could Ryan be hiding something?Throughout the day, the idea gnawed at Madison. She tried to convince herself that she was overreacting, but doubts lingered. When Ryan came home, acting normal, Madison’s suspicions only grew. After he went to bed, she did something she never thought she’d do—she went through his phone. Surprisingly, there was nothing suspicious, no secret texts, no sign of an affair, but Madison’s intuition told her something wasn’t right.
The situation escalated when Ryan came home early from work one day, claiming his dad, Bob, needed help with his laptop. Madison found it odd that Bob had been coming over so frequently, especially when she wasn’t home. A few days later, Ryan’s mom, Claire, called, sounding upset and asking if Madison had seen Bob.That’s when things started to click. Madison realized Bob had been visiting their home a lot more than usual. Determined to find out what was really going on, Madison pretended to run errands but parked nearby to keep an eye on the house. Her heart sank when she saw a woman, who was not Claire, walk up to her front door. She waited a few more minutes before quietly returning home. When she entered, she heard the shower running and crept toward the bathroom. Peeking through the slightly ajardoor, Madison saw Bob in the shower—with the woman who had entered her house.The reality hit her hard. The note wasn’t from Ryan or meant for Madison—it was from Bob’s affair, using their home as his secret meeting place. Furious, Madison confronted Bob, who was shocked but unable to deny the truth. The woman quickly fled, and Madison was left in disbelief. That night, she confronted Ryan, who initially denied knowing anything. But when pressed, he admitted that he had known all along. He explained that he had been covering for his father to keep the affair hidden from his mother, believing it was better that way. Madison was outraged. While Ryan wasn’t cheating, he had been lying to her for months, allowing his father to use their home for his deceit. The couple argued for hours, but Ryan didn’t seem to grasp why Madison was so upset. He defended his actions, saying it was family business and he didn’t want to get involved. But Madison couldn’t forgive the lies and the betrayal. That night, she told Ryan to sleep on the couch and, the next morning, called Claire to tell her everything. Claire was devastated but calm. She told Madison to pack her bags, and together, they checked into a hotel, using money Bob had recently given Claire. What was supposed to be for her birthday weekend was now being used to plan their next steps. By the end of the week, both women filed for divorce.Madison and Claire now share a cozy apartment, starting fresh and free from the lies and betrayal. They’ve found strength in each other, and despite the heartbreak, they’re both ready for a new chapter in their lives, free from the toxic relationships that had once defined them.
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