Conversations slowed as I came through the gate. Irvin saw me first and had to hide a smile.
Vanessa didn’t bother hiding anything.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I brought the hostess a gift.” I set the box on the patio table in front of her. “Go ahead. Open it.”
Vanessa didn’t bother hiding anything.
Half the neighborhood was watching by then.
Vanessa lifted the lid.
Inside was a hammer, a full screwdriver set, three kinds of batteries, a pack of lightbulbs, a jar opener, a basic home-repair guide, and a printed list of four local handymen.
Her smile disappeared.
“Now you don’t need my husband anymore,” I said.
I thought that would teach her a lesson. I never imagined it would spark a war.
“Go ahead. Open it.”
