"Hello? We're open for ten more minutes if you want—" when their was no response, she repeated herself in Spanish. She felt herself being pushed into the side of the van. She let out a small Yelp as the mugger ripped her necklace off.

"Keep your mouth shut and give me the money! Give me the money now!"

"You know, I -"

"Give me your money now." He pressed the cold blade to her throat.

"I have twenty dollars. It's all I got. Just take it. I swear."

He grabbed the bills and stuffed them in his pocket. "The wedding ring. Take off your wedding ring. Give me the wedding ring now."

She clutched her left hand, holding it to her heart. "No," it was firmer than she thought it would be. "No! No! No!" Her scream was loud in the darkness as the punk kid ran away, fleeing the scene. She rounded the corner and climbed up the stairs, "call 9-1-1!"


Linda was scared to go home, and she wasn't sure why. She had reported it, she was free to go home. But why didn't she want to? Home should be where she felt the safest- her fortress.

Linda laid in bed that night, staring at the ceiling. She wanted to cry, tell the whole story to Danny, and desperately cling to him. She sighed and put her hand over her eyes, finally letting the tears come. She was scared to tell Danny. She knew he wouldn't want her working at the Jefferson Houses, and she knew he'd have a cow if he ever found out. She got out of bed, and walked to the en-suite. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, not thinking about anything. She felt sick all of a sudden, quickly turning to the toilet. She opened the lid and hurled, her nerves taking over.

Linda cried herself to sleep that night, knowing she'd have to tell him sooner or later.


Danny stared at the piece on the table, shocked. He told his wife that he somehow knew she had gotten a gun. She, of course, didn't believe him. They then exchanged apologies, coming to a new agreement. "So what do you wanna do with it?"

"Get rid of it... I don't want to see it ever again."

"I think you should keep it, learn how to use it. Just in case."

"...in case of what?"

"Just in case. We could keep it in the lock box in the closet."

Linda nodded, "I don't know why I didn't call you. Maybe because I knew you were going to react the way you did." She said quietly, fiddling with her wedding ring.

Danny sighed, "I really didn't mean those things the way they sounded. I was just worried about you."

"I'm glad you worry about me. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't yell."

"I wasn't yelling."

Linda sighed, she knew he wouldn't budge on that point. She brought her feet up between her and the couch, snuggling next to her husband.

Danny kissed the side of her head. "Next time something happens like this, please call me."

"I will. And I'll talk to the supervisor about getting security. Shouldn't be that hard."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"I love you most."