Yolonda groaned as she got up the next morning, her head showing no signs of mercy. As much as she loved her wine, she seriously regretted having as much as she did after her husband went to sleep. Ugh..she really REALLY didn't want to get out of bed, not after what happened at Wanda's last night, but there had been something she meant to confront Miguel about since they had gotten home.

She got up and took a shower, throwing on her usual purple dress and make-up, but not bothering to curl her hair all the way this time, as her head was too tender for her to do much else than brush it. But as she cleaned herself up, she got to thinking about Nora and how she behaved at dinner. If Nora had been telling the truth about Miguel sleeping with her, why would he want that? Yolonda wasn't sure if Nora was capable to loving someone, despite also being married, as she had screamed and cursed at everyone trying to have a nice night, and there were apparent marks on her husband's face. While she was angry at the possibility of Miguel cheating, she had this odd feeling that she wasn't receiving the whole story; that there were parts missing that either Nora or Miguel were hiding.

Eager to confront her husband, Yolonda stormed into the kitchen calling out Miguel's name, only to be greeted with a note instead:

Dear Yolonda,

I'm headed to work early today. There's an urgent meeting regarding waste management in the sewers linked to Acid World. I can't miss it. We can talk about what happened after I get home. Just try to relax for me. I'm sorry.

Love,

Miguel (Big Daddy)

Yolonda frowned as she had suddenly lost her appetite, sinking in one of the seats near the kitchen table, though in the same token, maybe it was for the best. She was still fuming over what she had heard last night, but did wonder if she needed the chance to cool down a bit. Well..actually..now that Yolonda thought about it, there WAS something she could take her anger out on; Nora. She had been incredibly rude and nasty to everyone at dinner, and Yolonda yearned for answers. Luckily for her, she knew that when Miguel had to drive, he often had a list of addresses his route included, and Yolonda could have sworn his map tables the names of the families that paid for valet trash service.

She dug around the kitchen looking for the map, until she found the map that contained the Cosma's address, taking her wand out and poofing herself towards the front door of a purple and pink house. Wow, what a nice, pretty house that ugly, evil people resided in. She knocked on the door hard to show that she wasn't playing around, only for the door to open and reveal not Nora, but her husband, his little face covered with a few more cuts that she remembered.

"Uhm..hello Yolonda. How are you?", Linnie asked, his voice even more small and timid than last night.

"I could be doing better, and honestly, it looks like you could say the same thing", Yolonda frowned, putting her hands on her hips, "Is Nora home?"

"No ma'am..I'm sorry. She went to work but she should be back this evening if you want to come by later.", Linnie said, and while Yolonda considered going back home to take care of her headache, there was something she simply could not ignore.

"Actually, Linnie..that's your name right?"

"Yes ma'am."

"You don't have to call me ma'am. We're both adults here. Why don't you and I go have some brunch? Have you ate yet?"

"No Ma- Yolonda. Sorry!", Linnie squeaked, his body tensing up as Yolonda's concerned glance deepended. "I'm not sure. I don't have any money."

"Don't worry about that. I always pay for beautiful men. Besides, there's something I want to ask you uh..about what happened last night of course."

"Uhm alright then. I-I guess I don't have anything else to do for a little while.", Linnie said, "Just uh..let me just clean my glasses really fast dear."

Yolonda stepped inside as Linnie went to the bathroom really fast, though forgetting to shut the door behind him. Curiously, she looked to see that Linnie, while he was cleaning his glasses like he said, was also using a blush brush to cover up his cheek, the red handprint starting to face away. It also seemed like he used the make up on the left side of his face as well, which made Yolonda's worry for him almost override her anger towards Nora and Miguel.

She took him to one of the nicest bistros she could find in town, the late morning weather feeling perfectly cool, a nice change of pace from the sweaty, hot summer days they had been getting. After ordering, Yolonda watched as Linnie looked at her nervously, as if he were expecting her to start yelling at him.

"Are you ok? You seem really really nervous.", Yolonda asked, concern in her tone. Linnie shook his head.

"Oh yes..yes I'm sorry. It's just been a while since I've been out."

"Your wife doesn't take you out on dates?"

"Well, she used to, but after we had our kids, we've kind of just been too busy to go out. What with our 3 kids and everything, haha."

"You couldn't get a babysitter?"

"Well no, we could. It's just that after we had married, Nora wanted to focus more on her career while I took care of the kids and house chores. We just don't have time to go out anymore."

"Yeah ok. Well, you don't have to be all worried around me, sweetheart. I'm not going to hurt you, I can promise you. I was just wanting to talk to you.", Yolonda said, now sitting a bit more upright in her chair, "I meant to talk to Miguel, but he left for work earlier, and I was wanting some insight on the situation. Uh..this is kinda awkward to ask. Are you aware of Nora and Miguel's little..relationship? Is what Nora saying true."

"Well uhm..as far as I know, yes. Miguel and Nora were in the same house with each other, and I know they were sleeping in Nora's room, despite us having a guest room. But when I had caught them, Miguel got angry that she didn't tell him that she was married, and yelling how despite this, she wanted him to have well..you know."

"But did you see them actually do it?"

"No, I didn't. I'm not sure if they did the deed. I'm sorry Yolonda. I'm sure you're dying to know those answers but I just don't have the whole story. I'm sorry for wasting your time."

"No no, it's ok. You've given me more than I can ask for. Please stop apologizing.", Yolonda begged, his timid voice making her heart break. No matter how angry she was at Miguel, she couldn't fathom the idea of hitting him enough to break him, much like how Nora did with Linnie, "But..there's something that I need to ask you, and I really need you to tell me the truth. Nora..is she responsible for all those bruises on your pretty face?"

"W-What? What are you talking about?"

"I saw you put on some make up in the bathroom to cover up that red mark that was on your face. Did Nora give you that mark?"

"I..well..uhm..yes..but only because she was trying to correct me! I had said something inappropriate that day and she was just trying to tell me not to do it again."

"What'd you say to make her hit you?"

"Well, I-I just asked her if my sister could come over for lunch later this month, and I had forgotten that she and Daisy don't along well."

"Seriously? That's what Nora hit you for? For wanting to see your family? Are you kidding me?", Yolonda's voice started to rise, but quickly regained control as Linnie shrunk in his seat, "I'm sorry, Linnie. I don't mean to yell, but that's absolutely ridiculous. Have you filed for divorce yet?"

"Uh..no..I've been thinking about it, but I don't know what Nora would do if I asked. There had been times where I would bring it up and she said she would hurt herself if I tried to leave like her first husband. I-I don't want her hurting herself. I really don't.."

"Linnie, sweetheart, I think she's only saying that to get you to stay, and clearly, it's working. I'm not sure if she would actually hurt herself if you left.", Yolonda said, looking at Linnie sadly, "Don't take this as flirting, but you're just so..beautiful. I'm sure you get that a lot. Combine your flat out gorgeous looks with your kind, gentle personality, I don't understand why you settle for someone like Nora. She doesn't deserve someone like you. So, why do you keep staying with her if she's not good enough for you?"

"I-I don't think she's not good enough for me...I always thought I wasn't good enough for her. I..uh...I don't want to get too personal, but I went out with her because she had promised that she loved me, and I was thankful that she gave me 3 beautiful children to raise and look after, but now that they've all moved on...I'm not sure. I guess I'm just scared if she's going to go out and hurt me if I leave."

"Wow..that's pathetic.", Yolonda murmured, "A woman who likes to hit men thinks she's better than everyone else. Linnie, I really don't think this is any of my business, by any means. But to be honest, I really do think you need to leave her. She doesn't treat you right."

"B-But I-I.."

"Trust me, a divorce would be a much safer option for you. She's hurting you anyways, so you might as well try to find some safety. ", Yolonda sighed, "I know we don't know each other very well, and I know I make you uncomfortable with all my drinking and rowdyness sometimes, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, ok? If you decide to go through with a divorce, then I'll be by your side, ok?"

"I..ok then..thank you. You don't know how much that means to me.", Linnie said, now a small smile on his face, "Oh, if only I would have met you sooner."

"Yeah well..", Yolonda said, now thinking about Nora, "Here, why don't you and I go back to your place and do some shopping until your pig of a wife comes back. I've got all day, and your kids aren't living with you anymore. I think it's high time you had some adult time. I'll pay for whatever you want. I just want you to relax for once."

"O-Oh no. you don't have to do that. You've done enough, please. I-"

"It's ok. You don't have to decline. My family makes money easily, and you look like you could use a treat for yourself.", Yolonda said, smiling, "Come on, let's head to your place so we can take care of those wounds. Then, we'll have some fun."