ViOLENT ViOLET

SNEAK PREVIEW

 It was a little passed noon when Johnny showed up for lunch, like usual. Violet was at the end of her driveway, at the mail box, when she saw him. He was coming up the street towards her, all dirty and sweaty and dressed in heavy overalls. She cursed under her breath and pushed the little red arm back down, slamming the door of the box shut and then clutching her mail to her chest. She forced a smile when she turned to face him. She knew it would get back to her husband if she didn't.

Having Johnny around was like having her husband back home, watching her every move.

It was like having a second husband.

Johnny had started dropping in for lunch on a regular basis after they'd moved to the neighborhood, and Violet suspected it was by request of Jack, who loved keeping tabs on her every way that he could. Before, when they had lived in that big apartment downtown, she saw a lot less of Johnny. It was too far a drive. But Johnny worked around here, since most of the houses in the development were under construction by his company, so he was never far. And he liked dropping in whenever, for lunch or just a coffee.

It drove her nuts.

"Is Jack in today?" Johnny asked when he'd reached her. Jack sometimes worked from home.

Violet shook her head. Johnny sighed, looking tired, and wiped at the sweat and dirt on his face. Violet tried not to look disgusted.

"So, what's for lunch today?" he asked.

"I have some leftovers in the fridge..." she said, turning back towards the house.

Together, they walked inside, with Johnny chatting about his work. Construction was falling behind on some lots and he was worried about the winter coming soon. Violet nodded and tried to look interested, while leading the way into the kitchen. She went straight to the fridge, pulled out the leftovers from yesterday, and put them on a plate for reheating.

"Hi, Zuzu." Johnny crouched down to pet the cat, who'd run into his shins to greet him.

It was Johnny who'd given her Zuzu as a gift. Coincidentally, it had been right after the baby. She knew better than to think that Jack had told him the truth, but the timing had been good and she was thankful to Johnny for the small distraction. It was one of the only times she'd ever liked her husband's barbarian friend. A little.

The microwave beeped, and Violet gathered the plates of hot food and set them on the table. Johnny washed his hands in the sink, then sat down and began shoveling food into his mouth. Like a complete slob. Violet looked elsewhere.

She knew better now than to think that her husband was a nice man, or even a remotely good one. To an outsider, he probably seemed perfect. No one would suspect what was lurking beneath. She knew this. But despite that, when she watched Johnny eat, all she could think was... At least Jack doesn't eat like he was raised by wolves.

Suddenly, the phone rang, scattering her thoughts. She pushed up from the table and crossed the room to pick up the wireless phone that was on the counter.

"Hello?" she answered, although she'd already guessed who it would be.

"Is Johnny there?" Jack barked.

A ghost of heat prickled the skin of her temples.

"Of course," she said, walking back to the dining table with the phone.

She handed it to Johnny, and the two men chatted while she cleaned up the kitchen. The fact that her husband would call his own house to speak to Johnny just seemed ridiculous to her. He might as well be living with us, she thought bitterly. She reminded herself that she had no control over the matter, as she scrubbed hard to get residue off a plate, before putting it in the dishwasher. Then she rinsed the glasses.