“Don’t play dumb,” I said, loosening my tie. “What happened to the bank account?”
Natasha shot me a confused glance. “Something’s wrong with the account?” She stopped sweeping the kitchen floor and leaned against the broom.
I dropped my head, folded my arms, and sighed. “Did we owe someone money? An extra bill, something?”
“I spent it on drugs,” Natasha said with a hint of sarcasm, returning the broom to its place in the closet.
I tossed my keys on the table. “Mom was right about you.” I raked my fingers through my thick, dark hair. “You’re a junkie.”
“Yup. I cleaned out the cocaine dealer.” Natasha smirked. “He said I was his best customer. He even gave me a discount. Can you believe it?” She said as though she’d won an architecture bid.
“And you’re not fucking with me?” I cast her an empty stare. “I can’t believe this shit.”
“Believe it.” Natasha wrinkled her thin nose.
“You know I’m a cop, right?” I lifted, then lowered my arms. “You know what they do to cops in jail, right?”
“I’ve been a bad girl and need to be punished. You going to arrest me?” Natasha turned around and placed her hands behind her back, giving me a sultry wink and a flirtatious lip bite. “I need searched, strip searched, Mr. Officer.” She puffed her lower lip.
“You’re unbearable.” I palmed my face and folded my lips under my teeth.
“You’re no fun.” Natasha thumbed her nose at me like a first grand school girl scaring off boys with the threat of giving them cooties. “Gonna tell me what’s up with the account?” She closed the distance between us, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“You’re not going to like this.”
“What’d you do now?”
“Won the fucking lottery, babe!” “We can keep the home.” A single tear rolled off my cheek.

(© 2022 AC)

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