Damien’s warning was ringing through my head and I wondered what exactly it was that he thought might happen. I wasn’t afraid of haggie or her spawn, but he seemed genuinely concerned. Oh well, I wasn’t going to let it bother me. I got dressed and headed out the door. My step was lighter and I hadn’t a care in the world. My man loved me, that’s all I’d wanted to know and now that I did, wasn’t nothing gonna stand in my way.
I spent the day flitting in and out of every children’s-boutique in the city. I don’t know why I was bothering, Jackie Spinelli will never let me hear the end of it if I went baby shopping without her. I had lunch alone at an outdoor café and then headed home to get started on dinner. Tonight I was going to make my baby something special to say thanks.
As soon as I hit the door I knew something was off. Things looked strange. It wasn’t that anything was missing but things seemed out of place. I made my way up the stairs to our room, not sure if I should just turn around and head back out, but somehow I didn’t feel like there was anyone here.
My lingerie drawer had been gone through and pieces were missing. Someone had rifled through my jewelry case and my nana’s ring was missing. I felt tears prick my eyes. Only one person I know who would bypass the three big ass flat screen TVs and all the other expensive shit we had laying around to do that shit. I’ma have her ass arrested.
I called the cops don’t think I didn’t. I wasn’t about to give an inch. They were there when Damien showed up looking all flustered. I was standing at the top of the landing when I heard him barking at one of the cops. “Where’s my wife?”
“Up here Dami, I’m fine.” He rushed up the stairs and grabbed me. “Baby are you okay?”
“Just a little shaky.”
“What the hell happened?”
“Someone took nana’s ring and some of my underwear.”
“What? that’s nuts, that doesn’t make any sense, why would someone…” He got it too.
I’d made sure the cops printed the drawers, the doorknobs any and everything she might’ve touched. Her prints might be expected in certain parts of the house but not on my panty drawer the perv.
After the cops left I could see him pacing back and forth like a caged animal. I knew what she wanted she wanted contact. I say let the cops deal with it.
I moved about the kitchen making dinner while he ran his hands over his head over and over again. “This is nuts. Why would she do this?”
“To get a rise out of you. It’s a power play.”
“Power for what? for fuck’s sake what is going on? Why would anyone do a thing like this? This is not my mom, I’ve never known her to be this vindictive, this…”
“You never had a wife before.”
“That’s it, we’re changing the locks and if it turns out that she has the ring well…fuck this is crazy.”
You said it buddy, bat shit cray cray; the way only the south can do it.
“I hope you know that she’s crossed the line. I was willing to stay out of it and let you two handle your thing your way but she took my nana’s ring. If I see that prune faced bitch I’ma Hoffa her ass.”
“Vanessa…”
“Babe just let me handle this okay, you don’t have to deal with any of this any more. Since I seem to be the bone that’s being fought over I think it only fair that I be the one to deal with whatever this is.” He’s so cute; he has no idea what he’s up against. But if he thinks he knows the rules to this game let him at it, we’ll see how long that lasts before I’m back to wanting to nut punch him again. He really doesn’t get it. Her fight’s not with him, of course she’s gonna be all sugar and spice with him, she’ll save her shit for me.
“Fine, if Cujo stays in her kennel and leave me the hell alone I’m all good.” I turned back to stir the pot of sauce I had simmering just as the phone rang. We both headed into the other room just as the machine picked up. “Hello Damien this is your mother, your REAL mother. I’m just calling to let you know I forgive you for last night. I know that wasn’t your doing and I understand. When you’re ready to talk just know that your mom’s here for you. I love you sweet boy hope to see you soon.”