Spaghetti Family part four

It was the middle of the work day when I got a slew of calls from my boyfriend Robin.

It was about my lunchtime, so I took it a few minutes early.

I called and he answered immediately.

“Ha-Harry!”

“Yeah? What’s up? Everything ok? You two ok?” I ask, hearing the tension in his voice.

“No, we’re not, baby. Come home, please,” Robin cries.

“Right. Don’t worry. I’m coming,” I sigh, thinking of a scared Robin holding our son behind the couch.

“Hurry, Harry, please,” Robin says, and I can almost hear his teeth clenching in nervousness.

“Call the police if you have to, don’t hesitate,” I say, “I love you, Robin, and I love Manny, too, give him a big hug for me. I’ll be right there.”

“Love you too, Harry. And… I almost called the police. I might have to,” he huffs.

“Shit, lemme talk to my boss,” I say in a scared voice, “see you soon.”

“Language, Harry! Okay, bye! See you soon!”

I run over to my desk and grab my stuff, and head over to my boss’ office. He’s a tall stuffy guy with balding hair.

“Mr. Mankevietiz, I am so sorry, but I have a family emergency and I’ll need to head off early today,” I say in a rush, and he gives me a dirty look but waves me off.

“Emergency? Did your snappy dresser of a partner burn down the house?” He chuckles and I frown. Of course he mentioned Robin’s penchant for dressing nicely with a good eye for accessories. He met him at the faculty Valentine’s party, and of course, I had to bring Robin as my date. I had to let everyone know I was taken, after all.

“No. I think there was a house invader,” I say shortly, and his eyes widen.

“Oh, I see. Well? Go on then! Go protect that little helpless duck and your child!”

It sounded harsh, but it was the nicest way my boss could say it, and I nodded in appreciation.

“Thanks! Bye! I’ll make it up!” I run off and grab my sweater and scarf, haphazardly putting it on.

“Promises, promises!” He says back.

I hurry into the car and race back home, my brain racing with thoughts of crazy talking furnaces or creepy twins trying to kidnap our son again, but when I get home, the house is okay and Robin and Manny are unharmed and sitting on the couch quietly.

Though, what’s different is Robin holding a large, sharp butcher knife, his eyes red from crying.

“Okay, baby…” I go over to a jumpy Robin, and gently take the knife from his death grip. “Let’s talk.” I put the knife away and start some tea, going over to the living room to sit down with the two of them.

“What happened?” I ask.

Manny sighs and gently takes Robin’s arm. “Papa was teaching me math. We were going over multiplying and division and other equations…” he starts and Robin is silent. He looks completely out of it, and exhausted. “When the doorbell rang. The doorbell rang a lot. Papa was scared, and we didn’t answer it. He got a knife to protect us. I told him to call you, and he did.”

“Who.. who was at the door?” I ask, and Robin sighs heavily.

“Harry…” Robin starts crying again and I go over to him, taking his hand in mine. “It was Roy.”

“Holy fuck,” I say, and Robin gives me a disconcerting look.

“Harry! Language! God!” Robin yells.

“It’s okay, my other dad would say that kind of stuff all the time,” Manny says in a low voice, making Robin scoff and get up, stomping the floor in an upset way.

“Your other ‘dad’ is not going to be our example of how to raise you! He’s a twit! He’s horrible!” Robin yells with tears streaming down his face. Manny starts crying, too. “Harry!” Robin looks at me and I jump a bit at his tone.

“I’m very sorry, darling, please calm down…” I say, going over to him.

“No! That psycho is going to kill me! And I won’t let him get our son! No!” Robin starts hyperventilating and I see he is about to faint, so I lean down and scoop him up in my arms. He leans into my embrace and I hold him bridal style. This time he allows me to carry him without struggle.

Manny gets up and touches Robin’s hair apologetically.

“I didn’t mean it, papa. I only want you and Harry to be my dads. I love you, papa,” he says with a teary eyed gaze.

Robin takes Manny’s hand and kisses it. “You’re my son. You’re my baby. I may not have given birth to you, or helped make you, same with Harry…” he looks at me with a sweet smile, and I smile back. “But we are your parents. And I know you didn’t mean anything by it, dear…I just hope you know how much we love you, Manny..” Robin says in a soft, tired voice.

Manny smiles and hugs the two of us tightly. “I love you both too! You are my parents.”

“I love you guys, you’re my best and only family, and I’ll protect you from anyone trying to harm us…” I say, and Robin lets out an exasperated gasp.

“Stay home with us, Harry. I have a bad feeling I’m going to get killed or something. And then our baby boy will be taken away from us.”

“Want me to quit?” I ask him.

He nods.

“What about the bills?” I say, and I realize it’s the wrong answer as Robin jerks out of my embrace and scoffs loudly.

“Bills?! Bills! Who cares if I’m dead!” Robin yells.

Manny sits down on the couch and cries.

“Daddy, I don’t want papa to die…” he says and I go over to Manny and hold him tightly.

“No, Manny, that won’t happen. Papa is safe. I swear..” I look up from the embrace with my son and eye a hysterical Robin. “Come sit down and relax, Robby, please.”

“No. I wanna get outta here,” he says petulantly.

I roll my eyes. “Let’s go out then. I’ll drive. Come on, guys, get your coat. We’re going to the police station and then the store.”

“Police?” Robin sniffled. I nod.

“Yes. The police.”

Manny sighs and bravely says, “That man can’t come around anymore to bother our family. He is not our family.”

I grab Manny’s coat and put it on him. “That’s right, son,” I say, smiling a bit.

We go out and Robin starts to calm down. We go first to the police station and file a report, checking on our restraining order against Roy and keeping the police aware of his actions and whereabouts. They said they’d keep a patrol car around our neighborhood for the next week or so to keep an eye on things. They did ask about Manny’s family support division status and our adoption rights, but once we let them know that we have already taken all the necessary steps and done all the paperwork legally to adopt Manny as a couple, they dropped the issue.

After that, we all were feeling safer, and went to get smoothies.

I got banana peach, and Robin got raspberry orange, and Manny got strawberry shortcake banana.

The drive and fresh air was doing us good. Robin was even looking serene and turned on the radio, singing along with Manny to some old pop songs.

Once we got to the store, I splurged a bit and got each of my family members more than a couple of sweets. I even snuck in a box of gourmet chocolates for Robin and a fresh vanilla and chocolate layered buttercream cake for Manny.

The air of uncertainty was hidden even as we were all starting to get back to normal, and Robin was being more relaxed and even playing around with my dreads flirtatiously at checkout.

The checkout lady was oblivious, however of Robin’s obvious flirty ways with me, and tried to give me her phone number.

Robin snatched it away from her fingers and said, “Uh uh! That’s my man! You can’t have him!” And snapped his fingers.

I face palmed and sighed while Manny laughed immaturely.

“Yeah, sorry, I’m his sweetie,” I say in a quiet voice, making Robin blush.

She looks completely shocked by all the reactions she set off like a chain link, but tries to remain undeterred by the drama she started, checking us out quickly and bagging us up fast.

Of course, as we’re leaving, Robin spots the heart shaped chocolates and takes it out of the cart.

“Look lady! Look what the cute red hair guy got me!” Robin sticks out his tongue and parades the chocolates above his head.

I rush Manny and I out the door as Robin continues to make the poor checkout girl blush in embarrassment.

He finally catches up with us, and I snatch the candy away.

“Huh? Where’s my delicious box of heart shaped love candies?” Robin squawks out. I frown and look at him admonishingly.

“I’ll give these back to you when you settle down, and behave yourself, baby,” I say gently, kissing his reddish cheek.

Manny grinned, “Papa is in trouble!”

Robin quacked angrily but smiled softly at the kiss.

“But you’re my sweetie…” he grumbles and I laugh, kissing his cheek.

The ride back home was taken the long way, and we all felt better.

Robin snuck the candy and ate it all on the ride home. I wasn’t too happy!