Page 10 of No Greater Oblivion

“Loosen your jaw,” I sing-song.

He lets out a string of words so vile they could make a sailor blush.

“You want to buy that second Hampton’s house so bad, sell me the Barcelona house.”

Just the words Barcelona house ignite my temper like the spark of a match in a sea of gunpowder. I spin around and glare at the phone hoping he can feel my hostility all the way in Spain.

“I already told you no.”

“Don’t be spiteful. You want DMG to gut the place just to hurt me, knowing I’m still living there.”

“You’ve been served an eviction notice.”

“That your second-rate lawyer can shove up his flat ass.”

I slam my hand on the island and snatch up the phone, ready for another one of our brawls, when he beats me to it.

“You want the God damned Hamptons house so bad? Tell your little boy toy to buy it for you. Until then, either sell me the Barcelona house or consider yourself cut off.”

I open my mouth to spew venom of my own but he hangs up. Frustrated, I fling the phone across the room, and collapse into a sea of blouses and skirts where I scream until the whole house wakes up.

“Ihate him.”

Lyss jumps as I flip the grilled cheese and hot butter platters everywhere.

“There she goes.” She picks up a kitchen towel and starts wiping down the counter. “Doña Ana?”

Doña Ana sprints from where she’s washing dishes in the barn sink over to the kitchen island stove. Snatching up the spatula, she shoos me away from the open flame, knowing I pose a fatal risk to the grilled cheeses we’re supposed to have for lunch.

“I hope he dies. Chokes on his saliva in his sleep and then rolls over and breaks his stupid little face on the tile floors.”

Lyss takes a contemplative sip of her tea before saying, “Maybe you should talk about it with your therapist.”

I cut her a scathing look and all she does is giggle.

“I don’t know why you’re getting so worked up about it. You guys argue all the time. I doubt he means it.”

“This time he threatened to cut me off.”

Lyss throws her head back and laughs. “Oh yeah? Did he finally grow a pair and introduce you to the word ‘no’?”

“You know what, Lyss,” I pick up a tissue and shove it in her face. “Go blow your nose or something.”

The tissue couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment because she sneezes.

“Listen Dee, all I’m saying is maybe this is a sign.”

Doña Ana puts our sandwiches on a plate and cuts them in half—mine down the middle and Lyss’s diagonally. She takes her plate and hops off the stool.

“You’re with Rian now. I’m sure he’d much prefer being the one to take care of your expenses anyway.”

Doña Ana and I exchange glances but she busies herself with washing the dirty pan. A heavy unease settles in the room but my childhood best friend remains oblivious.

“The developers are going to gut the place anyway. Might as well sell it to DMG and save yourself the headache.” At this she yawns and finally makes her exit. “Okay…bye. Wake me up at dinner time.”

Suddenly, I’ve lost my appetite.

Doña Ana leaves a glass of juice on the counter for me and removes her apron to reveal the tweed skirt suit underneath. She still dresses the same despite no longer managing such a large household.