But the fucking place looked like the sun had exploded in it while I was gone. Every wall was bright yellow. I stroked my jaw and walked back into the living room. Where the fuck was my TV? Its spot on the wall was now filled with a giant aquarium. I walked over and looked at the brightly colored fish that swam around lazily, like they’d been here forever.
I’d told Kate she could redecorate anytime she wanted, but this wasn’t what I’d expected. And she hadn’t even said she was doing it. I knew pregnant women could be moody, but … shit, not like this.
I went into the bedroom to see if maybe she was awake so we could talk. But she was tucked under the covers, curled on her side and hugging a pillow against her. I wanted to forget the food and just get in bed with her, but I was starving.
I headed back into the kitchen, loosening my tie and pulling it off on the way. When I opened the fridge to find the roast beef, thin-sliced cheddar and mayo Kate always made sure I had for sandwiches, I did a double take. There was nothing in the refrigerator but lemons, avocadoes, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, yogurt, milk and a pitcher of water. It was all arranged in neat rows, Mimi-style. But she knew what I liked as well as Kate did, so where was my roast beef?
It was so late and I was so tired that I ate some nasty unsweetened yogurt and carrots and went to bed. Hopefully my wife would have a rational explanation for all this in the morning.
***
I swiped at the nightstand, trying to stop the buzzing of the alarm on my phone. It was eight already, and I had to get up and go to practice. When I pushed the alarm off and reached out for Kate in the darkness of the bedroom, her side of the bed was empty. I slid out of bed and pulled on some sweats since Mimi was probably here.
As soon as I stepped into the hallway, the piss colored walls reminded me of the night before.
“Kate?” I called, hoping she was still home. When I made it to the living room, there she was, sitting on the floor, her back straight and her palms on her thighs. I only glanced at her before the woman across from her grabbed my attention.
Her hair was a wild mess of gray and black curls, and she wore some shiny blue dress thing that tied at the waist. Her saggy boobs weren’t being held up by a bra. Had Kate let a homeless lady in our apartment? Surely, she wouldn’t … but then again, she’d done some other unexpected shit in the two days I’d been gone.
“Babe?” I stepped into the room next to her. I was throwing this homeless lady out before I left for practice. No way was I leaving her here with Kate.
“Ryke!” Kate pushed herself up from the floor and lunged for me. I pulled her close and took in the smell and feel of her that I’d missed on the road. But I kept an eye on the bag lady.
“What happened to the apartment?” I asked. Kate pulled back and smiled at me.
“Harmony did it.” She said it like I was supposed to know who that was.
“Harmony?”
The crazy looking lady was off the floor now, and she held a hand out.
“Harmony Moonstone.”
I shook her hand and nodded before turning back to Kate.
“We need to talk, baby. Can we go in the bedroom?”
“We just started yoga,” she said. “Have Mimi make you some breakfast and you can eat in here and we can talk.”
Harmony raised a finger of caution. “No disruptions during our relaxation sessions.”
“Oh. Sorry,” Kate said to me. “Can we talk when you get home from practice?”
My stomach rumbled loudly, reminding me of the shitty excuse for dinner I’d eaten before bed. I took Kate’s hand and led her to the other side of the room.
“What the fuck is going on?” I whispered angrily. “You can’t just let people in here! What’s with all the plants?”
“Harmony said we needed to make some changes,” Kate said, her eyes wide with innocence. The last of my patience was gone.
“Ryke!” she whispered, arching her brows. “I’m doing what you want. You’re the one who hired her!”
My eyes bulged. The lady was a con artist who’d swindled her way into our home. The idea that she’d been alone with my wife, and could’ve hurt her, made my head swim with thoughts of violence.
“I did not,” I said. Now Kate’s eyes bulged.
“But you said you were hiring a midwife! And then she … and I thought—”
I narrowed my eyes as her words sank in. “Wait, a midwife? She’s the midwife?” When I glanced at Harmony, she smiled. “Oh, shit.”
I walked over and shook her hand again.
“I guess I didn’t realize you hadn’t met,” Kate said, joining us.