We walked up to the front door. My husband and I. It was beaten down and old. The lock looked like it had been kicked in again and again. The paint was peeling, the old olive green color reminded me of that stint I did in the crazy house. A simple bipolar disorder turned nasty. I admit. I have very nasty tendencies.
He knocked with a big fat fist. I don't even remember the last time I knocked on a door. I didn't want to break a nail. When was the last time I didn't have my nails done. My hair perfect. When was the last time I showed my face? There was the usual shuffling behind the door.
"Why are we here Paul, this place is a shit hole, and look at my damn shoes!" My new Prada stilettos, scuffed to hell and back.
"Well Melina, if you would stop worrying about your shoes, you would know that this is the house of the great and honorable suicidal, homicidal death defying Sabu!"
I couldn't help but to wear a stupid face.
"Sweetie, Sabu is dead." More shuffling behind the door. Paul knocked again.
"Yes Melina, I know that Sabu is dead. It's the hard truth and I know that it's been tough for us to deal with something so truly awful, but you see this is now the house of the widow."
I remember that funeral well. That cheap funeral parlor, the bad food, and the over dramatic speeches. I never understood why everyone loved him. I don't even recall hearing him speak.
"Kelly is a very special girl and she is having a very hard time and I've offered to help her."
"I get it. You don't have to explain anymore"
The steps inside the door grew louder and the door finally swung open.
"Kelly, my dear Kelly." Paul stepped into the room and clasped Kelly's hand within his. God, I could see the roaches practically crawling out the door.
"Paul, I'm so glad you came," machine like, her voice, her face, a god damn doll.
"May we come in? I have some things I would like to discuss with you," she opened the door wider and motioned for us to come in. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her face. I wanted to see it change even for a second.
My heels made the same annoying tapping sound on the hardwood floor. It was an awful sound but it got people to notice me. Kelly noticed me, her blank expression lowering to my heels.
"Do you want anything?" Kelly asked in her robotic housewife voice. I continued to stare into her blank face.
"No, I just really want to sit down." I hear Paul making his approval sounds as he studied the hallway. Kelly made some attempt at a smile and her hands swept towards the door at the end of the hall.
"This way," she said. She laid a hand on Paul's shoulder lightly and took it away. I followed her, tap, tap, tapping my ass down the long sick looking hallway.
