Page 76 of Misery In Me

“Are you the homeowner?” The blond cop asks Gage, taking out a pen and a notepad.

“Yeah, my wife and I. She was the one home when whoever it was attempted to break in.” The other cop let out a barely audible snort and while Gage doesn’t catch it because he’s talking with the blond cop, Morales does.

The second cop takes out a notepad and stares at my face for a second and then looks down. “Name.”

“Alejandra Donovan.” I say quietly, shifting back and forth, trying to keep Zoe asleep on my back.

“This is your husband,” he motions with his pen to Gage.

“Yes. He is.” I answer.Didn’t Gage just say I was his wife?

“Can you step outside with me for a moment?”Red flag number one.

“I’d like to stay in my home. I have my daughter on my back.” I turn towards Gage and he’s showing the blond cop the security footage.

“I’ll go with you.” Morales offers.

“That’s unnecessary.” The cop looks at him and I can tell Morales is probably getting the same vibes I am.

“Gage, we’re stepping outside to talk to the cop.” Morales waits until Gage acknowledges him and there is a look that passes between them and I don’t quite understand it, but it’s like they’re in sync.

“Gotcha.”

I turn to walk out. But then I hear Gage. “Estaré aquí, hermosa. Si gritas por mí, vendré corriendo.”

I step out onto the porch and follow the cop to the grass. “Ma’am, what did your husband just say to you?”

“Why does it matter?” This feels so off for a conversation with someone having tried to break into our home.

“Did someone really try to break into the house, or could it possibly be an ex-boyfriend? Maybe you’re involved in some gang activity. Maybe a boyfriend that the husband doesn't know about?”

There it is, the fucking stereotypical racist bullshit. It’s always, Are you involved with a gang? Is it a thug ex-boyfriend, or are we cheating and sneaking around on our partners?

Next, he’ll ask me if I’m here legally.

“None of that. I don’t have any family that lives here.” I say, with a little too much emotion behind my response.

He looks up and gives me a telling look.

Fuck! Racist piece of shit.

“Ma’am, are you and your husband legally married? Are you here on a valid visa?”

Morales steps between us. “I really don’t like the way you’re talking to her.”

“They are valid questions to ask. If she is just trying to hide the fact she’s cheating on her husband or that she isn’t here legally, we need to know that.” Morales and the cop have a few heated words and I look back over at the front door and everything in me wants to yell for him.

I hate this.

So fucking much.

“I’m here legally,” I shout, getting the attention of Morales and the cop. “I’ve been a citizen for five years. I came over with a work visa and applied for citizenship. I don’t have any affiliation with any gangs or ex-boyfriends, nor am I cheating on my husband.” I let out a shaky breath and continue. “I would really appreciate it if we could focus on the fact that my house was being broken into while I was home with my infant daughter.”

“Don’t raise your voice at me, you fucking wet?—”

“I fucking dare you to finish what you have to say.” Gage’s voice booms from behind me. “Please, I am begging you. Fucking do it. Give me a reason.”

His hands wrap around my waist and pull me back behind his towering body. The other cop runs over and puts himself between Gage and his partner. “Okay, enough. We’ll file your report and if anything else happens, miss, just call 9-1-1.”

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