The circus unites

I blinked and looked at the numbers glued to the door. It was my house, that much was true.

But it was empty. No brown couch, lemon side-table, my ginormous bean bag. Even the bohemian style rug that managed to pull the whole together was hone. Every single thing was missing from the living.

Color drained off my face as I wondered what else was gone. I rushed into my room and looked around in search of Yvette’s box, sighing with relief when I found her on a dingle table in the middle of the room. Everything else was gone, save for the bed frame, and a wardrobe. There was a small note and cute little teddy bear beside her urn. I grabbed the note and read it.

‘Call me.’ I didn’t have to dial the number to know it was Pierce. Did he really rob me?!

“Ah there you are!” A woman exclaimed excitedly beside me and I jumped in surprise, I didn’t even hear her come into the house. She had on the biggest t-shirt and basket ball short and was grinning from ear to ear at me. “Nice to meet you Myra. “I’m Donna from next door.”

“Nice to meet you.” I answered crumpling the note in my hand.

“Isn’t this the funniest prank ever? Your friend has a good sense of humor. Is that ketchup on your dress? It’s a pretty dress.”

She had a strong Boston accent and chewed gum as she spoke, her eyes darting all over the place.

“Prank, is that what he told you this was?”

“Wait what? It’s not a prank?”

“No, and he’s not my friend. He’s a pain in the ass I’ve been trying to get rid of.”

It was a wonder how her gum did not fall out of her mouth with how wide she left it open. “He-he robbed you? Oh my. Well how dare he!” She turned and matched into the living room and I followed. I needed to get my phone from my purse and call Pierce anyway. “That man deceived he. He was in your house packing up when I came back-I helped his men fold your mattress for fuck sake, how dare he?!”

“You helped him?!”

“I didn’t know he was a thief! He don’t look like one.” She defended herself, pacing the living room with her hands on her waist. I grabbed my bag and took out my phone when another stranger passed, and then came back, her brows knitted in confusion.

“What’s happening here?” She stepped into the house and looked around, after she hefted her groceries higher up her waist. “You’re leaving already? What did Davy do this time?”

“Landlord didn’t do nothin!” Donna answered the soft spoken woman. “I helped and abated a criminal!”

“Course you did.” She rolled her eyes and looked at me, her expression softening. “Hi Myra.” Did everyone know my name?! “I’m Layla from 3D.”

Ahh, Seth left out the fact that she was a nurse. “Nice to meet you.” I answered, forcing a smile on my face as I dialed Pierce’s number.

“Donna can be a little unhinged, what did she do-beautiful dress by the way.”

“She didn’t really do anything.” Not like anyone could control Pierce’s action. “I’m sorry I need to make a call.”

I stepped away from Donna who hadn’t stopped ranting and dialed Pierce’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Are you just coming home?” He asked, his tone laced with irritation.

“You took my stuff!” I yelled at him.

The chuckle he let out made my blood boil. “You were worried about getting robbed, I eliminated that problem, didn’t I?”

I took a deep breath, fighting to rein my anger in. He was enjoying how mad I was right now, and I knew yelling would get me no where. Donna and Layla were watching me, while Donna whispered to her, no doubt giving her a recount of her hand in this.

“Thank you, Pierce. Now would you be kind enough to bring everything back?”

“Of course! You can have your stuff anytime you want.”-I breathed out in relief-“I have a condition though…you sign the papers.”

“I will not-“

“How did your date go? You don’t want to tell me who it is, I will find out.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“You tell him girl.” Donna urged and Layla smacked her hand.

“Feisty. Tell me is he rich? Has he seen the dump you live in?”

I let out a bitter laugh, he was forcing me to take his money and still though that was my problem? I tried to seat before I remembered there was nothing there. Scowling I started to pace.

“I’m gonna call the cops on you.”

“You do that, doll. I could recommend a few big shots that will take your case.”

“Pierce don’t do this…” I pleaded. “Just let me move on from you.”

He said nothing for a while.

“All I’m asking is that you sign the documents for Yvette. After that I’ll leave you be.”

I breathe in sharply, not expecting him to agree so easily. A strange feeling spread through my chest and I crossed my arms to chase it away.

“Okay, then. I’ll sign your papers.”

“Good. I’ll be at the office on monday.”

“See you then.”

When I ended the call, I tried to smile at the two women. “I’ll be getting my things back soon.”

“Glad he made the right choice. I know a couple chicks who worship Santa Muerte, they would fuck him up.”

Layla smacked her again. “Go on, tell her.”

“Tell me what?”

Donna glared at Layla, then looked at me sheepishly. “I uhh…when I got here and saw that guy taking your stuff. He said it was a prank.”

“Yeah?”

“I did ask him to uhh…drop a couple bucks or I would spoil the surprise.”

“What?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out some money.

“He gave me 300 bucks. I used one but you can have the rest.”

“I’m sorry Myra, she is very impulsive.” Layla added when I looked at the money without moving

“I could still call them Santa Muerte chicks on his ass. They can give him limp dick forever.”

I snorted. “It’s fine Donna, you can keep the money. The next time he pisses me off, I’ll have you call your devotees.”

“Your house is really getting traffic today.” A low smooth voice said. Seth strolled into the room, eyebrows raised as he looked around.