As soon as the convict is out of earshot, the husband, overwhelmed by fear and the gravity of the situation, whispers urgently to his wife. Observing the convict’s ragged clothing and demeanor, he concludes that the man is extremely dangerous and desperate. The husband tells his wife that the convict has likely been deprived of female companionship for years and may intend to assault her.

He pleads with her to do whatever is necessary to survive, no matter how difficult or demeaning it might feel. In an attempt to prepare her for the worst, he encourages her to comply with the convict’s demands, reasoning that resistance might provoke violence. His love for her shines through his words as he reassures her, saying, “Be strong, honey. I love you.”

To the husband’s astonishment, his wife responds calmly and with unexpected clarity about the situation. Instead of confirming his fears, she reveals that the convict wasn’t kissing her neck as he believed. Instead, she explains that the man had leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

The wife recounts the convict’s surprising admission: he told her he was gay, found the husband attractive, and had asked her if they had any Vaseline in the house. Without hesitation, she had told him where to find it, directing him to the bathroom. Echoing her husband’s earlier words, she adds, “Be strong, honey. I love you, too.”