Sinshyne
Planetoid
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2020
Holly shut the door behind her with a sigh. Kicking off her heels before she moved one inch further into her apartment. She sniffed, smiling. Bless his heart, he had tried to cook tonight. She cooked extra on weekends so he didn’t HAVE to cook. Neither of them liked it when he did. He tried, but he definitely had zero culinary talent. And she didn’t have the heart to complain, she just ate every bite whether it was sodden, bland, oversalted, or burned. And then told him what a wonderful man he was and how it was such a relief to not have to worry about cooking when she came home.
This time it smelled like pure grease, so it must be meatloaf. He appeared in the doorway of the kitchen as she was sliding the thin blazer off her shoulders.
“Welcome home, baby!” He bounded down the hall to her, wrapping his strong arms around her and whirling her around, smacking a loud kiss on her lips. She laughed, high on joy. Clinging to his strong shoulders, giggling against his lips.
“You are gonna knock my head on the ceiling one of these days, silly man.”
He chuckled, setting her stockinged feet back down on the floor. “Just gives me a reason to kiss it and make it better.”
“What did you make tonight? It smells delicious.”
He laughed loudly. The joyous sound echoing down the hallway.
“You are far too kind to me, darling. It is meatloaf with green beans and mashed potatoes. At least the green beans are edible.”
They were, and not much else was. But she ate the beans happily, cozy and surrounded by his love. But then she spotted the envelope on the counter, and her gut twisted in dread.
“Michael, what is that?”
He looked over and sobered. “The electric disconnect notice. They will disconnect Friday if we don’t pay.”
She sobered, her mind racing through a mental listing of their bank account balance and bills due.
“We can’t. We don’t even have enough for rent and that is past due. HE will be up here any day…”
Her voice faded as dread curled in her belly. Michael’s face softened sympathetically, and he reached out over the table and captured her hand. Holding it as he looked earnestly into her eyes.
“Baby, you know I would never let him hurt you. I know how he looks at you and it pisses me off too. But I also can’t blame the man. You are gorgeous, baby. Any man with a working dick wants you.”
She flushed, ducking her head shyly at his praise. Still, what were they going to do?
He was wondering the same thing, the look in his eyes haunted.
“You know I keep trying, baby. I haven’t given up. Every day I hand out damned resumes, and every day I get the calls turning me down. Fuckers. I wasn’t even guilty, but I did the time, and now they won’t let me live my fucking life and take care of my woman.”
His rage was growing, and she patted his hand anxiously.
“I know, Michael. It isn’t fair. But its ok. We will work things out. We always do. Maybe we can get some extra time with the rent and….there is a chance I can get another job. Working as a secretary doesn’t pay much. I can….”
He lifted his hand, holding a finger to her lips. Sad eyes watching her.
“Stop. Stop stressing about it, baby. You are doing everything you can.”
“Maybe Daddy…..”
He frowned then, anger glowing in his eyes.
“Don’t mention that fuck. They treated you like hit when I was in jail. Your father is a self righteous asshole, and I would rather be homeless on the street than ask him for a damned dime. And your mother is so far up his ass you couldn’t get her out with forceps.”
She laughed at that, and the tension around the table melted. He half stood, leaning over the table and their plates of green beans and kissing her forehead, petting her silky black hair.
“Don’t, baby. I will figure something out. I hate seeing you stressed. I wish my Dad were still alive. I know they would help us out.”
She nodded. She had never met his parents, but knew from everything he had told her they had been good, amazing, dependable people.
“I’m just glad we don’t have to worry about children right now.” He mused, before eating a forkful of green beans. Her face tightened and she looked away. It was the one point of disharmony between them. She desperately wanted children, under any circumstances. He had never seemed interested in children, and now used their financial stress as a reason to not pursue having them. She had even occasionally thought of secretly taking herself off the pill, but hadn’t had the heart to be so deceitful yet.
They cleaned up, chatting happily amongst themselves. Hands wandering. Touching. His lips on the back of her neck, his hands gently pulling her hair to the side. Her playful laughter as she stood over the black lump of meatloaf hacking away at it with a knife that bounced back off the undamaged loaf. His mock outrage, then her squeals as he chased her around the kitchen.
He was 27, she was 23. But they were really delighted children in love playing at keeping house.
At least until the doorbell rang and their playful teasing paused. Dread returning to both their eyes as they looked at each other. Cheeks turning pale.
With a deep sigh, Michael went to the door, pulling it open.