As soon as Jessica left, I continued with my cooking until I was done. And when I was done, I served myself and began eating. I had left some in the warmer for her, or in case Frank comes. Her words really hurt me and I was beginning to give the idea of relocating to the Mainland a second thought. At least if I was there, we wouldn't be having problem let alone end up in a hitted argument. We were both two different people with everyone having their own viewpoint about things. We both used to see things differently, as in our own ways.
But I wouldn't be talking about leaving just yet until Aunt Vicky recovers from her unfavorable health condition. A condition her own daughter landed her into, although Jessica denied the fact that she was the one that landed her mom into coma... but every sensible person knew it was her fault. She had made so much mistakes in her life and it was due to her selfishness. She had always thought she was the one that is right, and whatever she does is exactly what was supposed to be done. The right thing to do. But gradually, she learned that she wasn't always right, and instead of her to acknowledge her mistakes she tend to defend those mistakes citing imperfections.
While nobody is perfect, people need to be thoughtful and need to think thoroughly, or at least twice before they do things. That would create a barrier between them and regrets, as long as they don't rush into doing things. What made me angry more with Jessica today was how she addressed me, she referred me to as a saint... a flawless somebody, meanwhile I was imperfect too. And also how she vowed to bite me where it will hurt if I don't maintain.
What did she meant by 'bite where it will hurt', was she talking about Frank or what exactly? If she was talking about Frank, then she better reevaluate her thoughts because I could cross the limit I set for myself for Frank. I would go as far as waging war with her if she, by any chance tried involving him into our problem. He had nothing to do with the vacuum between us, hence she should let him be. Otherwise, she would definitely have to face my wrath against all odds because I would never back down until she's down for good.
I continued eating, and all of a sudden someone knocked our door. At first I thought it was Trevor that decided to return but when I checked I found our neighbor, the one whose husband approached talked to me earlier. "Laura, right?" she lifted a brows. I didn't know how she knew my name, it wasn't as if we had ever talked before. "I used to hear people talking about you around the streets, but we never got to meet one in one" she cleared my doubt, now I learned that she heard about me from people. But who are those people that gisted her about me? Do I know them? I thought to myself as I stood perplexed.
"Oh, nice... mind coming in?" I offered to usher her in hoping she would shrug the offer but surprisingly she accepted it and walked in gladly. Shit! I shut the door off. "Here, have a seat please" I walked her to the sitting room.
"Thank you" she said as she sat on a sofa.
"So, what can I get you please?" I politely asked.
"Me? Come on young lady, of course nothing. I just finished taking my lunch, I just came here to talk to you about something" she said.
"Alright," I huffed and sat gently in a chair opposite her. "So...?"
"Well, actually I came to talk to you about my husband. I know I shouldn't be saying this but I would be happy to know what you spoke to you about earlier before I commence" she said as she folded her arms across her chest and leaned her back on the sofa's backrest. That was funny, so she came to talk to me about her husband just because she saw us talking earlier? Wow, that's awesome I thought to myself.
"I had a visitor earlier, a cop from the Mainland and your husband came to me thr moment thr cop left and I stood watching his car as it disappeared into distance. Trust me, just like you I had never talked to your husband one in one before. In fact, I had never been in a conversation with him before. He met me and asked if I knew the cop that just left my house, and I told of course I know him. Then he talked about being charged by the cop once for over speeding, something he never did. That's all he said to me" I explained everything to her bit by bit, so she shouldn't suspect me or her husband of anything.
"And what did you say to him?" she asked with a wrinkled brow,
"Nothing. Because I didn't know exactly what happened between the two, and if what he said is true. It might even be that my friend wasn't the cop he's referring to, perhaps someone that looks like him" I responded to her in a polite manner.
"Oh, okay that's good" she said as she stood to her feet. "Thanks for breaking things down for me, I should be going now. I have something very important to do at home at the moment"
"Okay, but I thought you said you would tell me something about your husband? What's that? Is there something I really need to know?" I curiously asked, thinking maybe she had forgotten about it.
"Actually," she heaved a sigh, "I am only here to know what you were discussing with my husband. However, there is something I would like you to know" she glanced at me, "my husband is the type that when you give him face he does what he likes. Therefore, I would like you to be very careful with him. Next time it he approaches you, ignore and strand him there"'
"Okay, I will. Thank you, Ma'am" I said amicably.
"You are welcome" she said and began heading towards the door.
I chose not to escort her out because I didn't know what other people will say seeing us together outside. She might not be a good person, who knows? For all I care, I needed to be very careful these days as people were now trying to know me better in the neighborhood.
One funny thing was that, while you mind your business and live your own life, some people would try as much as they could to know you and practically everything about it. Hence the name, nosy neighbors. Unlike in the city where everyone is minding their our business, life in the countryside is different especially in places where houses are close to each other like in our streets. Sometimes you would open your window to see someone staring at you through their own window, and sometimes you would walk out to see people glancing at you while discussing. Odd, isn't it? Well, that was the kind of life the people here were living.
As soon as she left, I returned back to the dining table and met my food still warm. And just as I settled down and began eating, Jessica came and stood in front of me with one of her hands akimbo. What again? I wondered, ignoring her presence. And just as she was tired of staying quiet, she finally decided to talk. "What was that woman doing in this house, I mean Mrs John? Have you started involving yourself with the nosy neighbors in this street? First, Mrs Smith. And now this woman that can strangle even a she-goat for glancing at her husband?" she said making me to stop eating and concentrate on her.
"What do you want from me exactly? Earlier you called me all sort of names and left, now you are here to pour sand on my face again" I muttered, staring at her in disappoinment.
"I am here to know what exactly on this earth were you doing with Mrs John, after having established friendship with Mrs Smith. These women are nosy neighbors, what the hell do you think you are doing? Is it because my mom is down, that's why you are doing whatever you like? I am talking to you, answer me!" her made me furious that I didn't know when I hit the table and stood facing her, eyeballs to eyeballs.
"Enough, Jessica... enough!" I yelled at her. And seeing how perplexed she was with the way I reacted she gently back down and remained silent. "What do you take me as? You want to know what's between me and that woman that came earlier? Well, I didn't even know her name until now, and I heard it from you. To tell you the truth, there is nothing between us. She came to ask about something, and I told her what I know. That's all. And about Mrs Smith, well your mom told me to look for a place and hold up before she return. That same day you chose to be arrested than to confess to the police. The house was locked, Mrs Smith saw me and she called me. I stayed in her house long enough to know where she works, and how she met her husband. And currently, she's feeding me news about your mom's health. Do you still have questions for me about mingling with our neighbors, bring it on. I am all ears, BABY SIS!"
My voice was so loud that after talking, I began feeling pain my throat. The whole room was silent too, and Jessica looked like someone that fell into a pool and was drenched. That was the kind of treatment she deserved, I had tolerated for so long already. Now, all I wanted was to show her how crazy I was... or could be. That way, I would be respected more by her. Or so I thought. I was ready to face her any time, any day from now on. Enough is enough!
"Okay, I heard you" she said as she gently stepped back before turning and heading to the stairway. I was glad she didn't resort to violence, otherwise she would have seen the backside of me. Like she always used to say, nobody is perfect and nobody is a saint. I wasn't perfect too, nor was I a saint. Hence, I could be as crazy as she could. And I could be as nice as her mom could be. It all depends on who I am with or the kind of situation I find myself in.
After leaving, I took my leftover food to the sink and washed it away. I was done eating. It was as if the food was cursed, every time I wanted to eat something or something would come and interrupt me. And it all started while I was cooking it, and now I felt like leaving the house to go somewhere and take fresh air. But where should I go? Perhaps I should just wait for Frank, if I was lucky enough to see him today I would ask him to take me out today too. But not to the Mainland, somewhere around Cornfield. Away from all the madness at home.
Talking about madness, it was as if Jessica was born with it. I wouldn't be staying home tomorrow whether her mom recovers or not. I would go to work, that I way I would be saved the episodes and series of arguments, debates, and verbal fights I was having with Jessica. If I go to work, she could have the whole house to herself. She could do whatever she likes. She could argue with the utensils, the sofas, the chairs, the people in the television, and all other things she could find or see around the house before I come back from work. And if I return from work, I will fetch my food and head straight to my room. There, I would eat peacefully. And after eating, I would return back to the kitchen, wash the dishes and return back to my room to rest.
