Thursday Thriller – Weapon

Read Part 1 – Plot Twist

I love my husband so much.  I live for him.  I would die for him.  I’m thinking of him now as I slowly chop fresh berries on the cutting board, humming a happy melody to myself as I watch sunlight stream through the freshly-scrubbed windows.  I want to make this day, and every day after, perfect for him.  He deserves it.

I hear Thom coming down the stairs and I smile, hurrying to layer fresh berries atop the pile of syrup-drizzled pancakes I’ve prepared for our breakfast.

“Stef?”  He looks at me with his eyebrows raised, his face scrunched.  He’s so handsome!

“Breakfast is ready!”  I cheer, motioning for him to sit in the breakfast nook.  I’ve already poured his coffee.

Once I join him at the table, we eat in companionable silence for a while.  I wouldn’t dare speak until he’s addressed me first.

“Stef, what’s going on?  What is all this?”

“What do you mean, silly?  I made you breakfast!”

“I know.  I know. And the whole perfect housewife act has been cute for the past day or so.  And trust me, last night was amazing…”

I blush.

“…but I’m ready for things to go back to normal.  I miss you.  I miss my wife.”  He takes my hands in his.

“What are you talking about, dear?  I’m right here silly!”  I rise from the table, carrying the dirty dishes to the sink.  I love serving him.  “You may want to shower and change.  Donna and Chet will be here soon!”

“Donna and Chet?”

“I told you last night, remember?  They’re coming over to visit.”

“I remember you saying that, but I thought you were joking.  I thought you hated Chet.  I thought Donna hated Chet.”

“Of course she doesn’t hate him, honey.  They’re getting married!”

Thom nearly spits out his coffee.  He’s such a goof!

An hour later, we’re all sitting in the living room, sipping fresh lemonade.  Donna and I aren’t speaking because the men are talking.  I don’t really understand their conversation, but I wouldn’t dare interrupt to ask questions.  It’s not my place.  Donna and I will sneak away in a bit to talk wedding plans.

“You’re welcome, dude,” Chet is saying to Thom.

“What do you mean?”

Chet pulls a large bottle from his bag filled with a burgundy fluid as well as a clear plastic pouch full of syringes.

“Haven’t you noticed your wife is a little…different?”  He wiggles his eyebrows.

Thom’s body stiffens.  “What did you do?”

“I invented a new drug.  It makes women putty in our hands.  It wears off after two days so you’ll have to give her an injection tonight before it wears off.  I dope Donna up while she’s sleeping.”  He fills one of the syringes with the liquid and hands it to Thom.

Thom stands from his chair.  “You drugged my wife?!”

“Like I said dude, you’re welcome.”

And suddenly they are struggling with each other, hitting and punching.  Donna and I scream.  Chet pushes Thom to the ground and punches him in the face over and over.  I rise from the sofa.  I know what I must do.  My husband needs me.  The syringe Chet tried to hand Thom is lying on the ground.   I grab it and jab it into Chet’s neck.  I would kill for my husband.   I love him so much.

*

 Donna and I woke up from our Stepford slumbers a few hours later.  I remember everything but it’s almost like recalling a scene from a movie.  Someone else’s life.  Thom wants to go to the police.  And we will.  But Donna and I have an opportunity that is much too delicious to pass up.

“Chet!”  I yell into the kitchen.  I’m back at Donna’s apartment.  We have to work for nearly 48 hours straight if we’re going to meet our deadline, thanks to Chet. “Is dinner ready yet?  We’re starving!”

Chet appears in the doorway, wearing a white apron, his hair tied up in a scarf.  I bite my lip to avoid laughing.  “Almost, Stef.  Five more minutes.”