Heartbreaks, Prosecution, and Retribution

Chapter 7 : Home Sweet Not-So Home

Finally, we got into our own apartment, our own place to make it our home. Both of us were joyous, but at the same time, we felt so empty. Empty because we had nothing to fill it with. The apartment only had the bare necessities. It came with a refrigerator, a stove and a dishwasher. We didn't have anything to ourselves really since we just moved out of our parents' house. We didn't live on our own before; therefore, we didn't own anything. All's we had was an 18-inch box T.V., a microwave, a small sofa, and an air mattress. The sofa wasn't ours. We borrowed it from our neighbors for the time being. The first two months we had to sleep on an air mattress, which eventually got a small hole in it which leaked out during the night. We tried to patch it up. Afterward, we always had to air it up before we went to sleep. In the morning, we usually woke up on the floor.

We still didn't have her son out here just yet. Which was a good thing, since we didn't have anything, really, especially no beds. So, it wasn't until maybe a period of three months or so that we slowly bought things for our home: nothing outrageous, just the essentials. We purchased a few cheap lamps for the place and two futons that we used as a couch and a bed.

We didn't have a washer or dryer yet either, so we had to go to the laundry mat to wash our clothes. That became more and more tedious and more expensive on our side. It seemed that we would have to go to the Laundromat nearly every weekend. Eventually, we got a washer and dryer, our families helped out with the purchases. Jessica's grandfather got us a washer when they finally brought her son out to us. Thereafter, my grandmother had sent us money to buy a new dryer.

We were finally getting somewhat settled. This place is finally getting more of a homey feeling. It only took about an average of about four months to get everything we needed. Towards the end of that time period, we finally got our own couch set. The set itself wasn't too bad since it was priced at around $1,100.00 for a three-piece set. This was something to have in the living room for guests, which were much nicer to have instead of the floor.

With a more comfortable atmosphere, Jessica's family came out to visit for a week. It was a good time since I had a broken hand from a training accident. I got recovery time off or better yet, convalescent leave to let me spend more time with them. While being out here, they wanted to do some sight-seeing, and go to the Smithsonian museums and memorials that were nearby, since most of them never been to the east coast, they were originally from California.

After Jessica's family had left, Jessica wanted to get some pets for the house. Since I would be back to work, she would be lonely and depressed, even though her boy was here. She figured the company of animals would give her some additional comfort. I didn't see any harm in this, boy was I wrong. I didn't know why I said yes too.

We ended up having cats, dogs, a rabbit and birds over a period of time. I felt we had it all at one point or another. It was a kiddy petting zoo. Hell, we even had an iguana at one time, though it died not too long after because she didn't know how to take care of it.

I was so overwhelmed by these animals. Since we were only allowed three at the most in the apartment, according to the housing policy, I told Jessica, "Hey, we need to get rid of some of these animals and narrow it down to two or three."

We ended up breaking that policy. I couldn't stand the pets now. I like having pets, though some of them needed to stay outside. Since we lived in the upper part of the apartment complex, we didn't have a backdoor to put them outside on.

Over time, sadly, Jessica became lazier than before. The house, of what little mess we created, didn't get cleaned, the dishes would just pile up and the clothes remain in the laundry room. When I came home from a long 14-hour shift, the same dishes would be in the same position in the sink from the night before. Our clothes need to be cleaned, especially, my uniforms. I would end up washing them and hoping that they would dry before the following workday.