deputies at the door

she sees him on the phone after he told her he would call the police. Tired of her sleeping with the baby on the bed. An overreaction sure, but he tells her its just his mother, which it is. She says, you arent supposed to be talking to them, and you woke her up twice, so i dont feel safe and im calling the police. He thinks shes bluffing but shes got the baby on her hip and shes dialing on her phone, putting on her best complexion of distress. Its 2 in the morning and the baby should be asleep. He had just been patting her buoyant diapered tush, lulling her gentle groans to silence amidst an electronic lullaby when she had burst in complaining and startled the poor child awake. He was tired and feeling defeated when hed said hed call the cops, but how could she really do it?
Yes, he had said she made him feel like she wished he was dead. That was just how it was; he didnt say he was going to do what he thought would please her. Why would she be worried hed do anything to please her as she made it more and more clear nothing he could do ever would? The paradox of her hatred like a wicker finger trap he couldnt pull out of.
When the three officers arrive hes in the back and two of them come to address him. Hes on the phone still with his parents in his left hand and his right pocket has a cable sticking out that he goes to fix—
hand out of the pocket sir
Yes sir, sorry its my phone charger in there.
Not a problem. Can we talk?
Yes, can we go around back? Can I invite you in? Theres another house back there.
sure thing
The deputy converses with him about the occurrence. He explained to the officer that hed already talked with their department about the possibility of this happening and the other deputy said yes, she had spoken with him. He recalled the voice, felt a comfort in the continuity. They all agreed he would stay in the bnb overnight and escorted him to get his things. He felt the grit of his retainers and thought of camus, kafka. In the living room the babe sat mesmerized by the officers in their deep blue flak jackets with bold yellow embroidery and gave him a big grin when he kissed her goodbye, her taught cheeks dimpling on that beautiful head dripping in curls.
the deputy has one more question before they leave:
Do you feel you are in danger of harming yourself? Because we can send someone who can talk to you.
No, no—im ok. I have an appointment with my psychologist tomorrow so im good.
its not a lie but its close.
he retires to the bnb. Not to sleep, but to sit and think through the latest waking nightmare.