Beyond Appearances

Stay Away From the Vaccuum Cleaner

I wake to the sound of birds chirping. I open my eyes, and notice that I'm not in my comfortable bed. The memories of last night racing through my head. I go to stretch, but realize that my legs are tangled with Johnny's.

I smile, butterflies in my stomach. I settle back under his arm and stare at him sleeping. He's so calm and peaceful. I can see his chest rise and fall. I never want this moment to end.

His phone rings, waking him. He hops up and runs for it. Well, there goes my moment. "Hello." Johnny's face contorts into pure anger. "Marianna don't even!" There's a pause, and he starts to pace. "I'm on my way back now. I will deal with this when I get there." Oh great. Shit just hit the fan.

We hop into the truck, not speaking at all. Not discussing what happened last night. We head home. Speeding faster than we probably should have.

We pull up the magnolia lined driveway, sending gravel flying. We still haven't spoke. When he puts the truck in park, he squeezes my thigh and smiles. He's out of the truck running to the house seconds later.

I rush in behind him. I find Sarah cooking breakfast in the kitchen. She smiles and waves, and motions towards the living room. I take her cue, and find Valentina crying. Johnny's comforting her. "I'm sorry princess. You know daddy loves you. I gotta go though. I'll be back after I take care of it." I can only imagine what this little girl witnessed last night. Though I barely know Mariana, I'm willing to bet she caused quite a ruckus.

Johnny stands up and runs out of the house. Valentina's still crying, and Landry is rubbing her back. I walk in and scoop her up. "It's gonna be alright. Daddy's got this handled." I'm still clueless as to what was said, but if telling her it's going to be alright makes her feel better, then so be it. She clings to me.

I stand up when I hear banging and yelling from down the road at Johnny's apartment. Sarah comes in from the kitchen and curls her finger, gesturing for me to come here.

"Please go check what's going on. That girl is psycho. I don't need her catching my house on fire, or scaring Valentina even more." I stare at her. And point from me to her as I say, "You want me to go? I'll kick her ass." She just rolls her eyes. "Duh that's why I want you to go. She caused that baby enough pain. It's time she felt some."

I don't hesitate. I'm out the door and running down the path. I stop just before the apartment, trying to listen in on what their saying. Thankfully the window is open.

"Johnny, I'm her mother! She belongs with me. You aren't fit to be the sole parent. In case you forgot you were a gang banger." No way in hell am I going to allow her to throw the past in his face. I hold off on beating her ass to hear how Johnny responds.

"Mar, you can't call yourself a mother. You leave her with your sister all the time. You're out partying or fucking a new guy. And in case you forgot, you're the one who fucked a gang banger. You knew what I was. Not to mention, I've changed. Have you?"

"What does it matter if I'm fucking new guys? Or partying? Are you jealous Johnny? Miss your old life?" Her voice turned seductive. This bitch is crazy!

"Mariana! I'm not jealous. I'm anything but. I don't care what you do, but when my daughter shows up with a bruise on her face, we are going to have problems. She needs something stable. Why can't you see that?"

It gets really quiet. And then I hear dramatic sobs.

"Johnny, I love her! Please don't take our baby away from me."

Johnny's voice goes soft. "Mar, if you loved her, you'd do what's right. Please just sign the papers. I'm willing to work with you."

Why does she insist on making Valentina's life miserable? The little girl I saw in the living room today was broken up over her mom trying to take her back. She's happier with Johnny. Everyone can see it.