"Well look at you, handsome. All dressed up for me. You know, I always had a thing for men in suits. Come in. Come in.", Nora said, leading Miguel into her kitchen, "The cookies are just cooling down a bit, but if you wanna help yourself to some lemonade or beer, they're in the fridge."

Miguel took his hat down and placed in on the couch as he entered, walking towards the kitchen before noting the smash glass photo next to the couch.

"Uh Ma'am?"

"Nora"

"Nora. Why didn't you sweep that up? You'll get cut if you keep all that glass on the floor."

"Oh, I'm sorry Miguel.", Nora said, poofing up and broom and sweeping up the glass, "I completely forgot about it. The past couple of nights had been rather rough for me, what with my husband leaving and all. I was actually hoping he'd come back to sweep it up, and tell me he loved me, but so far..nothing.."

"Erh..I'm sorry I brought it up, Nora. Just didn't want a pretty lady cutting herself.", Miguel chuckled a bit, making Nora smile a bit, "Where do you keep your cups."

"Top drawer.", Nora said, following him into the kitchen to put the cookies on a plate, seating Miguel down on the kitchen table, "Now, when you get situated, why don't you tell me about yourself? You know, I always appreciated how hard you guys work to keep our town clean, especially in this weather. We really need more people with your kind of work ethic around here."

"Yes Ma'am, well-", Miguel started, a bit flattered by Nora's compliments. What she said alone had been more appreciative than Yolonda had been within the past few weeks, even since the brutal summer hit, "I-I don't normally work in the truck. Someone called out sick so I decided to fill in. The trash's gotta be taken out somehow."

"Oh really? Well, I guess that just proves my point then. So, what do you actually do for the company then?"

"I'm actually the owner of Big Daddy's Trash company. The CEO if you will."

"Ooh, so you're the big man himself, huh?", Nora's smile widened as she sipped on her beer, "You must make loads. Guess that explains how you were able to afford that suit you got on."

"Yeah well..I don't really like to talk about it too much. I swear, people think I'm some floating bank or something."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. Seems like I can never talk to anyone without them asking for money. Like one of my daughters came into town last month, not for very long. I think she had only been a home for a few days until she started bugging me about helping her put insurance on her limo or something."

"Why that's ridiculous? Who here would need a limo if we can all fly? Or teleport from place to place? Doesn't she have a wand like everyone else?"

"Yeah, but I guess she just likes showing off. I don't see much wrong with that though. I just wish she'd spend more time with me without wanting anything in return.", Big Daddy sighed, "You know, I'd always help my family if needed, but lately, I think I've been giving more than I've been receiving. Err..sorry Nora. I didn't mean to start ranting."

"Oh no! It's quite alright! I actually think all that's quite interesting.", Nora sat up straighter, helping herself to her 3rd beer bottle as she twirled her curls, "You aren't the only one dealing with freeloaders after all."

"Really now?"

"Mmhmm. You see, that photo that was next to the glass I had on the floor is actually mine and my..well I guess now..ex-husband's wedding photo, and god do I regret that evening. Ever since he moved in and we raised kids together, he would sit on his ass all day and do nothing while I worked AND raised our 3 kids. I kept telling him, help me around the house, help me with the kids for a little while, you wanted to have them with me, but no. All he cared about was those damn games of his?"

"Really? I didn't see any gaming console near your TV."

"Oh, he's always on his phone playing them. Though I guess its better than what he does when he is paying attention to me.", Nora frowned, trying to choke up tears, "Sometimes, when he has too many beers, he has a tendency to yell a lot and if he's in a REALLY bad mood, he'll chuck the beer bottles on my face. Luckily, he hadn't done that lately.."

"Oh, well..I'm sorry to hear that, Nora. How many kids did you have?"

"3. Two sons and a daughter. It really wasn't easy taking care of all of them by myself, but somehow, I manage."

"Yeah, having kids is never easy, especially when they get older. Trust me, I know that feeling. You know, you can talk to me if you ever want to."

"Thank you. I really do appreciate it.", Nora said, "More cookies?"

Miguel, though he initially planned on only staying for an hour or two, ended up staying at Nora's place for the evening, deeming himself too drunk to poof himself back home. Sure, he wasn't too drunk to the point where he couldn't fly in a straight line, but it had started to get dark outside anyways, and he and Nora were hitting it off pretty well. He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy her company, the way she admired him rather than what was in his pockets. For the first time since Yolonda left, he put his phone down, paying full attention to whatever Nora said rather than worry about his wife or if work needs him to come in.

Although he was having the time of his life, Miguel also couldn't help but feel periods of guilt wave over him as he spent more and more hours with Nora. They had just met, so Miguel didn't think he loved Nora, but he also couldn't help but think this counted as cheating or some sorts. Of course, they didn't do much of anything yet, but Miguel still wondered what his wife would think of him if she caught him here.

"Ey Nora. Dumb question, but I want your honest opinion.", Miguel started, now coming back inside from the two of them sitting on Nora's back porch. "Do you consider us hanging out together cheating? I mean, do you worry that being around me means you're cheating on your husband? What if he comes back?"

"Pfft..no I don't count this as cheating! I'm allowed to have male friends! Besides, it's not like he's ever given a shit about me in the first place, so I seriously doubt he's coming back anytime soon. He's probably off with some hooker or whatever."

"Oh ok then. Just wondering.", Miguel's voice dropped a bit, worried slightly at her response. Her tone went from the warm voice that greeted him into her home into one that was bitter, spitting out resentful words at the mere mention of her husband. But what really worried him was when the warm voice came back, along with a smirk on Nora's face.

"You know, if you want we can..you know..have a bit of fun while you're here. Just for a little while. We don't have to go super into it."

"Uh..I dunno Nora. We just met."

"Oh come on! You know you want to! I mean, don't you like me?"

"I mean, yeah. You've been really nice to me, but I don't think I want to have sex with someone I just met. You know, I don't really like rushing into things. I prefer to take things slow if you know what I mean."

"Well fine then.", Nora huffed, "It's getting late anyways and I don't really want you headed home when it's this dark. You know, a handsome guy like you can get snatched up by god knows who?"

"Well, do you at least have a guest bed for me to sleep in?"

"Oh, no. You'll have to sleep with me tonight. I-don't look at me like that! I won't try anything, I promise. I'd offer the couch but I don't have any extra sheets to give you. It's a big bed anyways, it'll be like sleeping in a hotel."

Miguel hesitated, still thinking about his wife and family back at his home. A part of him told him that he still loved Yolonda and sleeping here would be a bad idea, but on the other hand, he was way too tired and drunk to really put much more of a fight up. Though he agreed and allowed Nora to take him into his room, he couldn't help to stare back at the photo that lied on the ground.

As much as he was still upset at Yolonda, he couldn't imagine just leaving her photo on the ground like Nora did to her husband, even if he was a piece of shit like she claimed. Though there was no doubt in his mind their passion for each other had faded over the years, Miguel did still love her. He just wasn't sure if Yolonda still loved him. That was the problem.

At long last, Nora and Miguel got situated in between the satin sheets, Nora keeping her distance to herself like she said. Nora turned on the TV in her room while Miguel just lied there, staring blankly at the screen, questioning how he even got in this situation in the first place. The silence went on for a few moments, the TV show being the only source of noise. But a small ding from Miguel's phone caused him to snap back to reality, and pick it up, greeted by a long novel of words.

Miguel,

I'm coming home tomorrow. I thought it over while the ladies and I talked, and I think I want to talk to you about what I think. I won't go into too much detail but it might be better if we talked now instead of continuing this pattern with each other.

I'm sure you must be asleep by now, so I'll keep it brief. I love you, Miguel but lately I just don't know if we still love each other like we used to. We used to be so much more intimate but now that everyone's growing up and changing, I dunno right now. I hope we can find a solution in the morning when I come back. Sleep well now, darling."

Miguel shifted in the bed, feeling himself sober up as he read the message. He felt himself smile a bit as he read that she still loved him, but the guilty feeling he had earlier tripled in power. There was no way he could stay where he was now. He needed to get out of here. Hopefully the gas station still sold some cheap flowers and chocolates for him to buy since it was so late at night.

Before he could really do much though, Miguel heard keys jingle from outside the door, and a tiny, male voice call Nora's name out. He felt his body tense up, shaking Nora awake as the light turned on, the male voice still calling out for Nora.

"Nora. I think someone just broke in your house."

"W-What? What are you waking me up for?"

"Someone's in your house! Did you lock the doors."

Oh..SHIT. Nora totally forgot Linnie was supposed to be back home from his funeral today.