Days of Love and Blood

But I can see how it might seem strange.”
    “Not at all,” said Ben. “It makes perfect sense. I never believed in the death penalty either but I sure don’t mind you killing those homicidals.”
    “I bet Cooper did,” said Marianna. “Believe in the death penalty, that is.”
    “I’m pretty sure he still does,” laughed Ben.
    “Still,” said Gretchen. “He kind of threw you to the wolves back there.”
    “He did. I don’t get that either. I just don’t react that way. I take my anger out on the homicidals. We both have the same anger.”
    “Why do you put up with him?” asked Ben.
    “Because,” I said. I turned my head again and watched Cooper balance a blanket and two boxes in his arms as he carried them to his tent. “Because I care about him. I’ve grown to care about him. Even if he is a stubborn asshole. I’m stubborn too. I understand him in a weird way. We both have issues.”
    “But you’re not going to go talk to him?” he asked.
    “No. I’m just going to back off and let him simmer down. Both of us are junk right now.”
    “H e’s not exactly letting you back off,” said Ben. “He’s pitching a tent right on your lawn.”
    “It’s not because we’re in a fight or because you’re here,” I exp lained. “It’s because those men are out there. So tell me, Ivy. What happened between Jayde and Cooper? I’m curious now.”
    “Oh, that was bad,” said Gretchen. “You don’t know?”
    “Nope. But Jayde cornered me a few days ago when were out picking berries. She told me, uh…” I glanced at Ben and blushed. “She basically told me to stay away from Cooper.”
    “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Marianna laughed. She turned her head and squinted at Cooper in the yard.
    “She’s jealous,” said Ivy.
    “What happened?” I prodded.
    “She threw herself at Cooper when she first got here,” Ivy explained. “She followed him around for a few days and even mimicked him. She pretended to be some redneck badass. It was actually kind of funny. I think she must have tried something, maybe made a pass. I don’t know for sure but eventually he had to tell her to get away from him. And he didn’t do it too nicely, either.”
    “It was a bad scene,” said Marianna.
    “Kind of like the one earlier?” I inquired.
    “Worse,” Gretchen assured me. “Much worse.”
    Cassie stumbled onto the porch and held onto the door frame while she rubbed her eyes. I had forgotten she came back with us. She must have slipped away for another nap.
    “I’m ready for a drink,” she announced.
    “No, you’re not,” Gretchen said.
    “What? I’m fine. I could use one.”
    “But that baby inside you doesn’t want it.”
    I immediately looked up at Cassie and stared at her. She looked as dumbfounded as I was. I tuned back to Gretchen who casually wiped away the sweat from her glass with a smirk on her face.
    “Are you telling me you didn’t know?” Gretchen asked while smiling up at Cassie. Cassie looked down and touched her thickened waist.
    “Do you think?” she asked.
    “No, I don’t think. I know. You’re pregnant.”
    I waited until I saw the slightest hint of a smile on Cassie’s face before breaking out into mad laughter. We all did.
    It was only one o’clock and I was already lightheaded. By four I was knee-walking drunk and Gretchen and Marianna took over the kitchen to make dinner. No one denied me alcohol so I kept my glass full. Ivy announced at one point that she was staying over and when dinner was ready, Ronan asked if he could eat with Cooper. I let him bring two heaping plates over to his tent. Ronan stayed with Cooper until everyone left and then Ivy ushered him inside. Minutes later, Ivy carried me to bed and I fell into a dreamless, black slumber.

Unexpected
    For the past two months Ritchie had been unreachable. It was like living with a ghost. He didn’t talk t o me, kiss me or touch me. The change happened suddenly. It wasn’t a slow withdrawal but a sudden shutdown that occurred one peaceful day. I didn’t pretend to know what the matter was and I didn’t probe, either. I figured that if he was in a funk he would crawl out of it eventually on his own. If I gave him his space, maybe it would happen sooner.
    But two months felt like an eternity. Ritchie would come home from work, get changed and retire to his computer room for the rest of the night. I would get Ronan fed and to bed and leave a bit of dinner on the stove for Ritchie. Then I