Tacoma Falls: Homeland

Fairytales don't exist

Morgan

I grew up reading fairytales about how the prince rescues the princess and lives happily ever after. I didn't realize my prince would turn into a downright toad of epic proportions.

Momma always said, "Never kiss a toad. You might end up with worts."

Boy, was Momma right. Not only did I kiss a toad, but now, I needed a shot to get rid of the worts.

It didn't help my toad would obliterate my heart at the wrong damn time.

I still remember that fateful night when I received the phone call from Aunt Jessap, telling me Momma had passed away. My world and heart had shattered like a bull broke through a wrought iron fence. I couldn't breathe.

In one single sentence, my life changed forever. "Morgan, your momma passed away."

I knew momma was sick. I didn't think she was that sick.

"You need to come home and take care of the arrangements."

Home? I haven't been to Tacoma Falls in three years since I married Rodney. I only visited a few times because Rodney said he needed to work to support us. It was always work with Rodney.

Honey, I can't take time off. We have bills to pay.

I didn't understand since I worked two jobs to help supplement our income.

Babe, the boss didn't approve of my time off.

What boss doesn't approve of your time off?

You don't understand.

I don't understand what. I don't understand why I married you with the guise of loving me, yet you kept me from my family and friends. I don't understand that I'm helping and being the dutiful wife, and you refuse to bend. I don't understand how my world imploded without the comfort of my husband.

What I do understand is finding out I married a toad.

How did I find out? I came home after making arrangements to return to Tacoma Falls for Momma's funeral and caught my toad of a husband screwing Sheila from his work. Nice.

Rodney must not have heard me with all the moaning happening. But he sure did see me when I threw a dollar store vase at him.

"Baby, it's not what it looks like!" Rodney yelled, chasing after me.

"Oh, it wasn't you screwing that tramp on our couch?" I snipped.

"Baby, you got to understand!"

"No, I don't get to understand anything. I saw you with my own two eyes. You must think I'm blind."

"Baby, please!"

"Don't baby me, you scummy toad!" I yanked open the closet, grabbed two suitcases, and tossed clothes into them. I didn't give a rat's ass if they had wrinkles. I was leaving.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm leaving." I grabbed whatever jewelry I had and tossed it into the suitcases. Damn, if I would let that skank get her filthy mitts on my heirlooms.

"Can't we talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about. You're a cheating asshole. The minute you stuck your dick in another tramp is when we stop talking."

"But you don't understand..."

I turned to Rodney with fire blazing in my eyes. "How many?"

"What?"