I really don’t want to have to take her in. She’s obviously going through something, and if we can talk her down, then taking her to the station may just be able to be avoided. Lisa stares at me for a moment, her eyes glittering in fury, and I’m almost convinced that she’s about to rip my head off, and all I’m doing is trying to help her. Finally, she reaches out and yanks my coat out of my hand, throwing it over her shoulders. She wraps her arms around her front, closing the front of my jacket to hide herself.
“So, Lisa, right? Lisa, why don’t you tell us what happened?” Drake asks as he steps up next to me.
“That – that fucking bastard”—she waves at the house—“fucking cheated on me!”
This close up, with her facing me, I can see her dilated pupils. Her cheeks are flushed bright red, hair wild and unbrushed. She’s either high or drunk or both. She’s got the same manic look Gracie used to have.
“Lisa, have you been drinking or smoking anything we should be aware of?”
She looks at me with that same look as before, wanting to rip my head off. “Of course, I’ve been drinking! I’m an adult, I’m legal, and my fucking husband cheated on me! Why wouldn’t I drink?”
I swallow, trying to keep myself together. “Is drinking a daily occurrence or—”
“No! I drank because my husband fucking cheated!” She screamed. “Why are you men so goddamn stupid?”
“All right, all right, we got it.” Drake steps and reaches out to place a hand on Lisa’s shoulder. “Let’s go inside. My partner and I will take care of your husband, but you don’t deserve to be out here naked. Do you want us to get your clothes off he lawn?”
She snorts, sniveling as she hugs herself again. “They’re his, not mine. So, no, I don’t want them.”
Drake glances at me, and I shrug with a shake of my head, motioning for him to lead the way. Lisa is reluctant but leads us to the door and inside the house. The man, the husband, I assume, is sitting on the couch. Annoyed beyond hell. At the sight of us, he snarls and stands. He’s as big as Devon in height but has a bit more blubber on his stomach.
“You called the cops, seriously, Lisa?”
“I didn’t. The mother of the hoe bag you cheated on me with did.”
His face turns red, and he glares at Lisa, gritting his teeth. He doesn’t say anything, though. A man knows when it’s just best to shut his mouth and not argue against the woman. Plus, he’s a fucking cheater. At least he isn’t a hitter, though. Or I’d be on top of him. I don’t like women beaters.
“Get out of this house,” Lisa demands and then points at us. “They’re on my side.”
I hold up my hands. “We’re just here to diffuse the situation.”
“I pay the rent!” she goes on, her voice wobbling as she turns to face us, a new round of tears streaming down her cheeks. “I pay all the fucking bills in this damn place because I’m the only one who works while he sits around and watches tv and jacks off to porn all fucking day long. I should get the say of who stays and who doesn’t.”
“She’s got you there, buddy,” Drake says and beckons for the man to stand. “Let’s just step outside and talk about this while we collect your belongings. Let’s make this as painless as possible.”
He doesn’t move, only staring at us. “This is my home too,” he states stubbornly.
Lisa snorts and throws her hands up. “You know, fine. Stay for all I fucking care. See if your little whore can pay the fucking bills. I’ll leave.” She looks pointedly at me. “Can you stay until I leave? I don’t feel safe being alone with him.” She bats heavily wetted eyes.
I nod. “Of course, we can. Take as much time as you need. We aren’t going anywhere.”
She sniffs and turns, storming towards the back of the house, where I assume a bedroom is, to pack her things.
“Fucking woman doesn’t put out very much. What did she expect me to do, relieve myself only while waiting for her? You guys get it, right?”
I snap my eyes to him, bewildered at his words. “Absolutely not. She’s your wife. You’re loyal to her. And by the sounds of it, you’re a lazy fucking bastard. You had zero right to stray from your marital vows when she’s obviously done everything to keep this place going for you. So, I suggest you shut your fucking mouth right now.”
“Are you harassing me?” He snarls and takes a step toward me.
I don’t budge. He doesn’t scare me. I’ve been in front of worse guys than him. “I’m telling you the truth, and as long as I don’t raise my fists to you, I’m in every right to say what I damn well please.”
“I’m ready,” Lisa announces.
Her husband glares at me for a moment and looks at Lisa. “The car is in my name. You can’t fucking take it.”
“We’ll drive you where you want to go,” Drake cuts in.
Lisa nods, holding her chin high. “Fine, keep the lousy car. It’ll be out of gas in a couple of days, and you’ll be fucking screwed.”