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“That thingstole my husband’s credit card bill to get the number.”

“I did not.”

“You did! I just know you did! I just know that’s where all those charges came from! And why I found whorey lingerie tags in our trashcan! And a butt plug box! And empty condom wrappers in our trash!”

“We don’t even use condoms!” I absentmindedly shout back.

Shit. The whole world didn’t need to know that. God, what is it with this woman that makes it so hard to keep my shit together?

“Do you hear that?! He’s just out there spreading diseases all around! Isn’t that a crime, too?! Spreading herpes! I know he has herpes! I know that’s the type of shit a pathetic, disgusting, dumpster diver like you has!”

My jaw drops in tandem with the bag in my possession.

“Arrest him!” She dramatically flails. “Arrest him for trespassing! And identify theft! Oh, and fraud! Oh! Oh! And lying about living there!”

“I do fucking live here!”

“What did I say aboutlanguage?” the cop I know I’ve had a run in with prior hisses. “Do I need to-”

“Officer Green,” Charles’s voice unexpectedly interrupts from my side. “Officer Hurst.”

Tone and demeanor instantly change for both at the same time they greet in tandem. “Lieutenant.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” Gwenith dramatically praises, hand thrown over her chest. “Back up has arrived.”

She really is just bat shit delusional, isn’t she?

“Mrs. Prescott,” he politely acknowledges prior to tipping his head toward the man lingering closer to his SUV, “Mr. Prescott.”

The weaselly fuck who has barely said a word nods in return.

Charles redirects his attention to the men in uniform. “I see the domestic dispute situation isn’tdeescalating.” He folds his hands firmly in front of him. “How can I assist?”

“By arresting thatthingnext to you!” She shrieks, finger back to pointing at me. “He’s a criminal!”

“He’s not a thing!” my girlfriend’s voice unexpectedly shouts back, joining the conversation. “And he’s not a goddamn criminal!”

“Stop covering for that bum!” Gwenith bitterly commands. “We all know you’re just using him because you’resolonely.”

“No,you’relonely, that’s why you’re always making up bullshit about everyone in the neighborhood!”

“Jaye Jenkins,” Charles calmly but firmly states at his daughter, “you are not to say another word. Am I clear?”

To no surprise, she presses her lips together, indicating she’s obeying his command.

“Mrs. Prescott, it would be best for the situation at hand if you would refrain from making any further accusations without due cause. From my understanding, the original dispute began in the house between you and Mr. Prescott, is that correct, officers?”

Green takes the initiative to answer. “She is claiming that the cause of their fighting is because the man beside you-”

“Mr. Cox,” Charles informs, not only showing me respect, but wordlessly demanding that they do the same.

That they acknowledge I have rights.

That I’mhuman.

Fuck, is this where Jaye gets her compassion from?

“Is becauseMr. Cox,” Green immediately corrects, “framedher husband by trespassing into their yard to hide the affair he is having on what I now know is your daughter, Little Jaye Jenkins.”