Love
Based on True Events. . . .
Dimitri had finished cooking dinner, much to Dana’s excitement. He had been preparing this recipe for a long time. Initially, he didn’t know how he’d be able to cook it. Was it better fried? Perhaps it could be steamed? But after much deliberation, he thought it would be best if he had done it in a much more extravagant way. It had taken over three months for him to figure out how this dinner would go, but finally, he could say that what he made was something he could be truly proud of, both as a cook and as a man to the woman he loved.
He kept it covered with a large tin, as if he was going to treat his fair lady to a fine dining experience. Dana gazed at him with an undying admiration, one that hadn’t unwavered ever since they had married each other for four long years. They were young lovers, Dimitri having taken his vows at the age of 21, while she at 20. And even when they married so early, much to the chagrin of their relatives, they were much happier, they thought, than any of the married couples that had been wedded for many years more than they had. Even though Dana took it on the chin, Dimitri knew deep within his heart that they were jealous. He saw it during the reception– those judgmental eyes following him that told him that he was making the worst mistake of his life. And yet, when she gazed into Dana’s eyes, and her lips laid their soft crevices on the side of his cheek, that rage that he had inside of him was quelled. And there was only her left. It was all he needed.
Dimitri opened the dish for her once he placed it on the table, the plate wobbling some as it was eventually dropped. It was a delectable sight indeed; he had roasted a chicken, having stuffed it to the brim as much as he could for the occasion. The aroma of the golden meat, paired with the suppleness of the breadcrumbs and onions beneath the surface of the white skin, lifted their spirits into the air with the steam coming from their meal.
“Oh, love, you didn’t!” Dana exclaimed.
“Of course I did. And it’s all for you.” Dimitri replied.
“You’re too sweet. You make me feel far too lucky, y’know.”
“Trust me. The feeling is absolutely mutual.”
Dana giggled, leaning forward to give him a soft kiss on his lips.
And so the couple at. There were a few more entrees that Dimitri had grabbed from the counter, and they dined like a king and queen that night, especially on that lovely chicken and everything within. Dimitri had a difficult time holding his fork, but Dana happily pressed her own fork into the interior of the bird and helped him get a taste of the rich stuffing. They savored it, unsure how to feel about it initially. But the more they ate, the more they were drawn to it.
“It’s a little tougher than I figured it’d be,” Dana said, swallowing more of the main course.
“True. But it took some time to get rid of some of the bones. I don’t think they had too much fat in them either.”
“Well, we’ll have much more time for more flavors after this one. I think we’ll enjoy those so much more.”
“I hope so. We’ve been planning this for so long. I want this to be the best time of our lives.”
Dana could see the conflict in Dimitri’s voice. His voice had quivered slightly, and his eyes laid upon the table. He could only think that he was doing something wrong, even if the smallest of details was off. Dana took his hand into hers and smiled.
“You’re doing great. We’ll get through this together. Do you hear me?”
He lifted his head to her, a pleasant grin on his face. “Yes… of course.”
“It will be perfect. It will become easier the second time. And the third time after that.”
Dimitri lifted her hand to give it a kiss. He was truly blessed, in mind, body, and spirit.
They finished eating, and Dimitri took himself to the bathroom. On his way, he grabbed the steak knife, planning to sharpen it once he sat himself down inside. Dana began to clear the table of the empty dishes and spilled sauces. Years into their marriage, their relationship was as healthy as ever. Dana hadn’t been in contact with her family ever since their union, same with Dimitri. Her mother always told her that when she found the right man, she should keep him for as long as possible. She had known this ever since she was a very young girl. But the moment that she found the man who was right for her, her family showed her nothing but disapproval. She could still hear the screaming matches she would get into with her mother over the announcement of her wedding. A part of her could still feel the sear from the slap across her face. It wasn’t the first time her mother had slapped her, but it stung worse than any other time she was hit.
Her mother never showed up at the wedding. And she couldn’t be happier that she didn’t.
Maybe she would’ve finally had the courage to do it if she had made one more scene.
After she finished cleaning, she walked up to the bathroom door, which had been closed. She knocked on the door before eventually pushing it open. Dimitri was sitting in the bathtub, still shaking with anticipation over what was to come. Dana moved closer, sitting on the edge next to him. She was notably shocked that he had taken the knife for himself, but even in this shock, she leaned forward and tried to coax him out of the state he was in.
“Hey… it’s going to be okay… this… this will make us closer than ever before. You want that, don’t you?” She pet his head whilst she spoke.
“Y-Yeah… I know… I’m trying to mentally prepare myself….”
“You know what to do. Take the cough medicine. It’ll make everything more manageable.”
He nodded. She stood up and opened the cabinet beside them, taking out the Vicks and handing it over. Dimitri popped the cap open and drank down half the bottle, gagging at the taste as he pulled it away from his lips. And as they sat and waited, she continued to pet his shoulder and his arm softly. She took the bottle away from this disfigured hand, the same one that had trouble holding the fork now that it had three fewer fingers. His left hand was shaped the same.
After it settled in, Dana gave Dimitri a final kiss on the forehead.
“I love you.”
“I… lve… yu….”
Dana was the one to plant this idea in his head. A way they could be closer, to the point where they would be inseparable. She wanted to do the same to her mother, but she didn’t want that type of poison. She wanted something greater. She wanted someone greater. And he obliged. Even though his fear of what lied ahead was high, even if he didn’t know how he’d feel during, he loved her too much to say “no.” And as he laid in the bathtub, bracing himself for impact, he could only think of both the rage he had felt from the eyes of so many judgmental eyes and the intense heartthrob he had for his lovely wife.
Though there was a small part of him wondering if they were right, as soon as the knife was plunged into his throat, and the splatter hit the side of the wall.
***
Reports came into the Grant County Police Department. There was a loud screaming that had come from 25th Street. It was difficult to get an exact location, but eventually it was determined to be the home of a wedded couple. Police arrived at the house on a Saturday evening. They entered the home, awaiting a terrible sight.
“Grant County Police Department! Is anyone here?!” One officer yelled.
No reply.
They scoured the home slowly, walking past the dining room that had been completely cleaned and cleared. The fridge hung open eerily, and a rotting smell came from it. One of the officers walked into the kitchen and wretched at what he saw. Others soon followed the sound of his coughing to see what made him so sick.
A limb.
The arm of a young man. It appeared to have been thoroughly chopped in a plastic-wrapped container, but it was only partially full. And it wasn’t just limbs either. Police recovered an eye. A foot. Lungs. And one ring finger, brandishing a beautiful diamond ring, was stored at the far back of the fridge.
Most puzzling of all, however… as they crept further into the home and into the bathroom, they saw the feet of a woman, somewhere around her mid-40s, no longer moving. And when the officers began to move towards it, they heard the hideous laughter of a young woman. They immediately drew their weapons.
“Come out with your hands up! Now!”
The officers waited for someone to come out. There was no reply for a while.
Then, as the officer was about to shout again, there was the soft sound of footsteps. And out stepped the woman, Dana, pale and greasy. Her hair was ratty. Her eyes were bloodshot red. She smiled with a manic glee, laughing so hard that her throat became hoarse. It was certainly not by her own choice. She ate something she shouldn’t have.
Hanging out of her mouth was a small piece of him. She had just finished his heart.
She stared at the officers, eventually giggling of her own volition this time.