More than a home

I love the woman who lives inside of me. Her name is Vanessa and she is so nice, cleaning and taking care of me. She planted the most beautiful flowers in the garden last week; they were white Oleander.  Last year my hot water heater broke, embarrassing for sure, but she replaced it and had a contractor fix all the damaged walls and floors. It was painful to say the least but it made me new again and she stayed with me the entire time. The garden of vegetables in the backyard flourished this spring, she cooked the most wonderful feast for her friends and family. From Carrots to Zucchini it had everything, she was so happy, the food was delicious they said. That is when she introduced Zach to everyone and me.

At first I was jealous. He would steal Vanessa from me from time to time. Going out to dinner, nights out on the town, Movies and sleeping at his place. I missed her so much; it was dark and lonely through my halls. I could no longer hear her laugh or watch her all asleep late on my couch. I would try my hardest to keep her here, locking the doors and letting the locks break, each time she would stay here I would put on my best show, being warm and cozy just how she likes it. It wasn’t enough, the dishes piled up, dust covered my nooks and crannies, and it was hard watching her slip away from me. You only notice something when it is gone.

Zach was a fine fellow. She met him at a bar one Friday night. He would make her laugh and smile, something I could never do. He had all these wonderful ideas she would say, romantic and kind always looking out for her best interests. He made her happy like a house couldn’t do.  I became depressed, filled with longing and regret, the plants and flower wilted and died. The warmth and love I felt faded as I slumbered waiting for her to return. Ever hoping for the good old days. That was until she came home one day crying, her eye was black and purple with bruises up and down her arms. It was Zach’s fault.

Vanessa stayed home more often after that, letting her heart and wounds heal. I let my magic spring forth through out the house. Doing the things that she forgets, like closing open windows or turning off the oven after she was done. I was happy again but she was never the same. Zach started coming over to ‘talk’ but he wasn’t the same. He would start peacefully enough always, ‘baby this’ and ‘baby that’. Never really caring about her, only the thought of her. When she wouldn’t give into his demands he would beat her saying to ‘teach her a lesson’. I grew angry, how could he treat my Vanessa like that? Like some plaything that he owned. She was the most beautiful and intelligent person I knew. So I planned and waited for the right moment to strike.

            Vanessa became wise enough not to let him in, but he would still come. Any hour of the day and commonly at night he would show up. Always stumbling and slurring his speech, yelling and calling her name like it would change her mind. It was a disgrace. I hated that man more than anything, to me he was evil incarnate. He stalked her like some piece of meat. Soon she couldn’t leave let alone sleep with him around. Finally one day he came sober. Tried to tell her he had changed, but I knew better. People don’t change; only an act to get what they want and he wanted my Vanessa. She let him in to talk one more time. That was all I needed.  When their talk turned sour he turned on her again, never learning his lesson. He stepped into position when he followed her into the kitchen. That is when I decided to act. The second floor above him creaked and buckled as the old piano came crashing through and killed him instantly. My Vanessa was safe once again.