Robbery in Progress

Four

I tried to devote the rest of my time on the clock to working. We only had one call that day for a domestic disturbance so Paul and I went to the residence to check it out. It was just an argument between a husband and wife where she had started throwing things at him. Broken objects, especially glass ones, were covering the floors of the living room. We advised the man to pack some of his things and spend the night elsewhere. He agreed to our suggestion and Paul went upstairs with the guy while he gathered some of his things. I, on the other hand, remained downstairs with the man's wife. She wiped tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry you guys had to come here."

"No worries. It's our job." Neither of us said anything for a moment.

"It's just...I ask him all the time to take me somewhere and go on a vacation and he always says we don't have the money. But today I found out he went and bought himself a truck. He already has one. Why would he need another one? Sometimes it feels like he just doesn't care about me, like he's not the same man I married nearly seven years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure there was a reason he bought the truck." I honestly did not believe the words that had come out of my mouth. I knew I was lying to the woman but I couldn't help it. I just wanted to leave the place. The man never should have bought a truck if he told her they didn't even have money to go somewhere or go on a vacation. However, the woman never should have freaked out the way she did and basically destroy her house. Talking civilly to one another would have prevented this whole situation. Finally, Paul came down the stairs, following the guy.

"Honey, I'm sorry." She looked at him for a split second and then turned her head to the side before heading into the living room and taking a seat on the couch. We lead the man out of the residence and as soon as he drove away, we went back to the unit.

"Looks like it's time for us to go." I looked at the time.

"I guess you're right." I gathered my things and walked out with Paul.

"You better hurry on home and get ready for your date."

"And you better mind your business." I flashed him a slight smile and got in my car. On the ride home, I tried to not think about anything. I pulled in and saw Julie, Paul's wife, and Christina, Paul's daughter, sitting on my porch.

"Hey, you guys. What are you doing here?" I hugged each of them.

"Well, it's good to see you, too. My husband told us about your little date tonight and we thought we'd come over to help you get ready."

"You guys don't have to do that."

"Oh, we want to Aunt Jen." I chuckled slightly. I didn't have the heart to tell them no.

"Well, come in." I unlocked the door and watched them both trail inside.

"Come on Aunt Jen. Let's go upstairs to get you some clothes to change into." Once upstairs, Julie and Christina began rummaging through my closet. I, however, took a seat on my bed. Once it seemed like they had been at it forever, I spoke up.

"Guys, just hand me a pair of jeans and one of my comfy tops. They'll be fine for me to wear." They both stopped in their tracks and turned to face me.

"Jen, honey, you're crazy. You need something really nice to wear tonight. I don't even remember the last time you went on a date."

"Yeah, me either Julie." They turned back around and started rummaging through my closet again.

"Here Jen." Julie handed me a red dress.

"Where did you even get that?"

"It was in your closet. Did you forget you owned it?'

"Yeah, I have no recollection of owning a dress."

"Well, put it on."

"Oh, come on Julie. Can't I just wear something simpler? This is just a first date between me and this guy."

"Well, I do want you to be comfortable."

"What about this Aunt Jen?" I looked over at Christina as she held up a pair of my dark blue dress pants and a nice maroon top that flared out just a little.

"That'll work." I took the clothes from her and went into the bathroom to change. When I came out, they were both standing there with makeup in their hands.

"Time for makeup Jen." I sat down on the bed as they started to apply various forms of makeup on my face.

"Here Aunt Jen. I grabbed you a pair of earrings and some shoes." I slipped on the tall, dark brown boots and then put the hoop earrings on.

"You better be leaving now."

"Don't worry Julie. I'll be there on time." We all went downstairs and out the door after I grabbed my phone and wallet.

"Bye!" I waved at them as I pulled out of the driveway.