Free Bases Loaded by Lolah Lace

thing I hated about the couch was that it was downstairs and my kid’s bedrooms were upstairs. It made it hard for me to stay sleep. I could sleep when I knew Tess had taken a sleeping pill. I made sure I counted them every day. I waited for evening to see if there was a pill missing. If so, that meant I could sleep six or eight hours straight.
    I needed sleep. Tonight I was able to get what I needed. I woke up the next morning and Tess was moving about upstairs. I had already made breakfast for my kids. They had taken over my new bedroom. Saturday morning cartoons were entertaining my kids. I decided to just sit alone in the kitchen and read the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper off my iPad.
    I could hear my children bickering in the background but it was the good kind. The kind that made me feel they really loved one another. Although I lived in a surrounding suburb of Chicago the news of the endless murders that plagued the big city was a topic that was hard to escape. We were the murder capital and by the news in this electronic newspaper that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
    My tranquility was soon interrupted by the sight of my wife. She walked in and went straight for the coffeemaker. She poured herself a cup.
    “Good morning.”
    I looked up from the iPad. Was she talking to me? “Morning.”
    Tess took a sip. She doesn’t like black coffee. She always adds cream and sugar but not this time. Why?
    “Have you talked to a lawyer?”
    “Not yet.”
    “I need to ask you a favor.”
    “Ask.”
    “My sister is coming over. She says she wants to drop by. She doesn’t know anything about our marital problems. She doesn’t know anything about anything.”
    “Okay.” I already knew Tess doesn’t share anything personal with her family members. I don’t understand it but I have respected her wishes for years and I still will.
    “Mason please.”
    I looked up from the iPad screen. “I said I won’t say anything.” There was a time that I would try to ask questions about the strange relationship Tess has with her family. Now things are different and mums the word.
    “She said she’ll be here at one. Will you be here to watch the kids while Connie visits with me?”
    “ Yes, I will be here.”
    “I’m not asking you to act like you love me or anything. I just don’t want Connie to know about us or our problems.”
    “Fine, I’m asking you not to attempt to manipulate me in any way. I wouldn’t like that.”
    My words pissed Tess off. She was holding her coffee mug so tight it was shaking in her grip.
    “If you’re thinking about throwing your hot coffee on me, you better think again.” I was threatening her. I refuse to live in fear anymore. I’m tired of being worried she’s going to flip out and do something rash, like hurt my kids.
    “I would never burn your face. I’m sure that’s what your girlfriend loves about you.”
    I smirked. “You would think that.” I chuckled to myself. I know Kari would take my big cock over my looks any day. Tess is clueless. “I will play along with your little charade but this marriage is over. You can file for divorce if you like just to beat me to the punch but make no mistake I will do it.”
    Tess’ anger turned to despair. My words hit her hard in the chest and knocked a tear from her eyes. Now I feel terrible. Why am I such a fucking prick?
    She took another sip of her coffee. “One o’clock.” Tess turned away and left me sitting at the table alone. I heard her footsteps as they went up the back staircase. 
    Tess stayed away from me and I had no problem staying away from her. Later I made lunch for my kids and we walked to Sunset Park. That’s the park I held my past little league practices. I had good memories at that park. Kari was in some of them. I returned home with my kids at two. Tess’ sister was still here. Her car was parked in the driveway. It was time for me to play nice. It wouldn’t be hard if Tess didn’t make it unbearable. I