I Drank The Poison and I Passed The Fuck Out.

Narcotic Sweet Talk.

Michelle.

I was in the kitchen, busy making lunch for everyone when my phone rang on the counter.

With one hand I reached and picked it up, realizing after I'd picked it up, that it wasn't my phone, it was Tony's.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Michelle? Are either of my kids around?" Janie asked.

"They're both in the living room." I said.

"Could I speak with one of them?" She asked.

"Of course. Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Oh, yes everything is fine, we're just having some technology problems and they usually know what to do." She said.

"What kind of problems are you having? Maybe I can help you." I said.

"Well, our TV isn't picking up any of our cable channels, and the DVD player isn't working either." She said.

"That sounds like something I'd have to look at in person, do you mind if I come have a look?" I asked.

"If you feel up to it sweetheart, I don't want to tire you out any more than you are." She said.

"I have two kids, there's no rest for the wicked Janie. I'll be there in ten minutes. Tell Tomas to hang in there. I'll have this fixed in time for the game tonight." I said hanging up.

"Marisa, Tony. I just talked to your mother, and they're having some cable problems, so I'm gonna go give them a hand. I'll be right back. Sarah take over lunch, and don't poison anyone." I said.

"Do you want me to go help you? You're kind of-"

"A whale? Yes, I know, but I'll be fine. Hang tight till I get back." I said.

I drove across town to my in-law's house.

I knocked on the door.

"There she is. I was just telling these ladies about you." She said.

I walked into a room of women all about the same age as Janie, and smiled, "Hi ladies." I said.

"Girls, this is my daughter-in-law Michelle. She's the apple of Tony's eye. Isn't she the sweetest thing?" Janie bragged smiling at me.

"She sure is. Very pretty." One of them said.

"Thank you." I said.

Another smiled at me, "How far along is your pregnancy?" She asked.

I giggled, "Oh, I just had a really big breakfast." I said.

They looked mortified, "Oh, I'm so sorry."

Janie elbowed me playfully, "Michelle's such a kidder, she's five months now, aren't you?" She asked.

I nodded, "Yes. With fraternal twins." I said.

"Oh how exciting!" Another one squealed.

"I hate to cut this short, but where's the cable you needed me to look at? I left my sister in charge of cooking lunch and my husband in charge of my kids." I said.

Janie laughed, "In the living room there. Tomas, will you show her?" She asked.

Tony's dad, whom Tony looked almost exactly like, smiled and led me into the living room.

"We're not technology folk, thank god the kids live just in town or I don't know what we'd do." He said laughing.

I laughed too, "Don't worry, I've had to do this for Vic's parents too." I said.