"MAN I'M TELLING YOU, IT'S HORRID." Chris said, shaking his head. Chris, Tyrell, Takashi and Nate all sat in Chris's living room, drinking a few beers and watching a reality television show, filled with a bunch of females fighting.

Chris's girlfriend was out at the mall with her friends. He knew she would return late at night. She loved coming back when the mall shut down. So he had the place to himself for at least a good six hours. Chris shook his head, taking a sip of his peach Ciroc. He was mad because he and his girl had gotten into this huge argument and she hadn't been having sex with him for almost a week and a half now.

"Sucks buddy," Nate said, shaking his head. He was a cool white dude and was always the life of the party so he hung around them a lot. "I hate when females do that, such a cock tease. My wife doesn't do that though because sometimes she wants it just as bad as I do."

Tyrell nodded his head to Nate's words. He was single but he could relate on both sides because he's messed with girls who had both kinds of personalities, so he knew what the men were talking about.

"Shit, not me. When Braelyn get me pissed I don't be touching her either." Takashi said, taking a huge gulp of his drink. He knew better than to get drunk though because he had to drive home. He only filled half his cup and most of it was water.

He had come from work a few hours ago and decided to stop by his boy's house for a while. Braelyn and Brielle was with Laura, spending another day with her. Since Takashi dropped them there in the morning on his way to work, he would have to past back and get them before going home.

All the men looked at him then started laughing.

"Oh shit! You be holding out on sex?!" Chris shouted, laughing his ass off. The other two men joined in laughter as Takashi just sucked his teeth, waving them off.

"Nigga you a bitch! Talking about 'Uh uh Braelyn, you can't get none of this dick.'" Tyrell laughed.

Takashi chuckled, "Nah it's not even like that. Brae just be getting me so mad sometimes. Like for example, bam right? Two days ago we were doing our thing or whatever and just as I went to finish, I get on top of her because she was on her back. So I'm about to bust and I guess she wasn't sure what I was doing, so she goes 'what are you doing' and I'm like 'I'm about to bust on your chest.' Man, she got so terrified like the shit was battery acid."

The guys roared out in laughter, especially Nate's face that turned beet red.

"Come on man, you lying!" Chris shouted.

"I'm so dead serious right now. So immediately she's like 'no I don't wanna do that' and 'blah blah blah.' I'm like 'Brae I'll clean it up as soon as we're done, chill.' Still she's like 'no I don't want to that's nasty' and all that."

Tyrell wiped the tears out his eyes, "Damn...so what happened?"

"Man I had to just finish on the sheets. Like shit like that be irritating me. I understand everybody has certain things they don't wanna do, but Braelyn is uncomfortable with everything other than laying on her back."

"Wooow," Tyrell said shaking his head. Braelyn was definitely a sweet girl but it couldn't be him. "Wait...so you married to this girl and never busted on her ass, her legs...nothing!?"

Takashi knew they were having some real personal conversations most men would be secretive about, especially pertaining to their woman. But he had the type of friends that even if any of them ever fell out, they wouldn't be the type to expose or bring up the things they talked about in the past. He could even brag about how good Braelyn's pussy was, because he wasn't worried about any of them trying to get at her. They knew how he was and if any of them even looked at Braelyn too long he'd beat them into a coma.

"Exactly my point. Never. Only time I ever nutted anywhere near her is when we wanted to have Brielle. Even till this day we still use condoms. I love Brae but she's so boring, you feel me? That's why sometimes I just be like fuck it and use my hand. 'Cause it's like what's the point of this shit. To even do doggy style I have to talk her into it for like five minutes. And by then—"

"You don't even be in the mood anymore." Chris finished for him, shaking his head.

"Exactly 'cause it's like, now I feel like I'm forcing her into doing some shit she don't wanna do. And I'm not about to fuck someone that's not into the shit as much as me 'cause that's just weird."

"Damn, sucks for you man. My girl sucks the soul of my dick!" Chris said.

Nate agreed with a thumbs up, too busy enjoying his drink to answer.

Takashi and Braelyn's anniversary was coming up this week and he still hadn't thought of anywhere to take her. He thought about going indoor sky diving and then doing something more romantic later down in the day, but Braelyn would probably dismiss the skydiving thing right away. She could kill a fun time damn near faster than an erection. And that said a lot because no one could kill an erection like Braelyn.

Takashi shrugged, "I mean, don't get me wrong...Braelyn is my baby. She cooks, she cleans, she works hard, she takes care of me, my daughter and even my mother. Brae is a great mother and wife. It's like she's perfect everywhere else except the bed, you know?"

"So do you ever see yourself cheating on her? Just like one time to have the kind of sex you want and get it out of your system?"

Takashi twisted his lips to the side and thought about it. He shook his head from side to side, never having really been a cheater anyway. "Nah, it ain't that deep. Using my hands is good."

The men laughed. Little did Takashi know, his fun was about to end in three minutes.

*******

TORYN PACED BACK AND FORTH gripping her hair and trying her hardest to figure out her next move. She had to protect everyone in the house and right now she felt like she was failing. She held a knife in one hand, gripping it so hard the tips of her fingers turned yellow.

"Toryn honey, please put the knife down." Laura called softly, peeking her head into the living room along with Braelyn who held an equally curious Brielle.

"I can't, the bird! The stupid bird is in here." Toryn said, listening to the sound of a pigeon flapping it's wings.

Hallucinations had become a new major part of her episodes as she got older. Not taking medications no longer resulted in just talking to herself, Toryn had become technically full blown crazy and was in desperate need of checking into a mental institute. At any moment she could talk regularly then flip out. Her brain was off balance since she had nothing to keep her medically sane.

Braelyn had never been so scared in her life. She had brought Brielle over to spend the day with Laura. Also figuring it would be a good day to bond with her mother in law as well. The two sat in the living room reading the bible and sharing stories about times God prevailed in their lives while Brielle sat at their feet playing with building blocks. Out of the blue the sound of things being thrown around and banging all over the place startled all three of them.

They called out but nobody answered. Alarmed, Braelyn grabbed Brielle as she and Laura silently walked toward the scene. When they got there they saw Toryn in the dining room which was now a mess with chairs flipped over, fruits from the fruit bowl all over the place and deep gashes on the wall from the knife that was in her hand. Her hair was a mess and she had this crazed look in her eyes.

Both women had assumed Toryn was asleep upstairs. Hearing her go crazy all of a sudden rattled both of them because she could have snuck up on one of them just that easily and they could have been like the walls with the gashes on them. Braelyn stared in awe, never having seen Toryn like this before. She heard that she was schizophrenic, but actually seeing the disorder showing itself was scary.

"Tee baby, put the knife down for me."

"I have to kill the pigeon!" Toryn shouted, the sound of that bird in her head was driving her crazy. It was screaming and the wings were flapping. "It came through the window. I knew I should have left the window closed!"

Both Laura and Braelyn gave each other a look when they noticed the window she was talking about was closed. Laura had that window bolted down with screws so it would be impossible for it to ever open unless a screw driver was used to remove the screws first. The window hadn't been open in seven years.

Laura got on her cellphone to call Takashi. Braelyn wanted to call the police knowing they would be quicker, but Laura assured her that wouldn't help Toryn. They'd probably beat her up and take her to a mental institution. Seeing this display she obviously had to go now, but by police force wasn't necessary.

"He—" Takashi didn't even get to finish the word before Laura attacked him with panic in her voice.

"Takashi we need you at the house now! Toryn is having a really bad episode and she has a knife in her hand. She's breaking things and we can't talk her out of it."

"Okay I'm on my way." He said, hanging up.

Laura felt really bad not even knowing if he was at work or something. But she herself wouldn't try stopping Toryn. Even though she was in her forties and not old, Toryn was in her twenties and was much quicker, faster and probably stronger. Plus with her health on the line she didn't want to try approaching Toryn. If she was still a teenager Laura would have singlehandedly handled her but times were different. And Braelyn was a very frail woman so it wouldn't be extra smart to send her after Toryn either. So they both just kept there distance and watched.

"Shut up!" Toryn screamed at the imaginary bird squawking in her ear, as she picked up an orange off the ground and threw it at the wall. The fruit splattered with ease, decorating the wall with the orange's juice as the fruit now laid mushy on the ground.

Brielle jumped and began to cry, now scared at the way Toryn was acting. Laura looked at Braelyn and instructed her to take the baby upstairs and lock her in one of the rooms. Braelyn wasted no time as she quickly headed up the stairs to Laura's room. She told Brielle not to move off the bed and locked the door behind her. Back at the dining room with Laura, the two just stared at Toryn not knowing what to do.

Laura already knew for her to randomly flip like this meant she must have been dealing with stress for a while. The first thing she thought about was her issue with Samir. Toryn had no job and no friends so there was only limited things that could occupy her mind. She had been infatuated with Samir ever since they reunited, but when she got the news of him seeing someone else it had taken a toll on her so Laura knew it had to be that.

Toryn set her sights on the ceiling, feeling like the bird was in there. She wondered if it would be too harsh to kill it, though. It was just so annoying.

Trouble appeared, looking up at the ceiling, then at the two women who looked like they were ready to take flight if Toryn even looked at them. The ghost of a girl shook her head, as she motioned her head toward them. "Look how their looking at you. They think you crazy. They don't think it's a bird up there."

Toryn took a step toward the two women and both of them took a step back. Toryn looked at Laura, her eyes bloodshot. "Laura you believe me, right? The bird is up there. I can hear it! Can't you hear that?"

"Nope; she think you crazy."

"No she doesn't Trouble, shut up. Laura is really nice and she loves me. You're always trying to turn people against me."

Braelyn put a hand over her mouth in shock as she watched her talking to herself. It was so sad because she was such a young girl. This is the same woman she saw constantly when she came over to here. She was the same woman who was constantly around her husband.

"I can't do this! Make it stop!" Toryn cried, dropping to her knees as she covered her ears. "Someone make it stop!"

A firm hand touched her shoulder and just that quick everything around the girl went silent. Trouble. The bird. And even the air. Toryn eyes were glassy as she peeked from behind her eyelids seeing Takashi. She dropped the knife and jumped into his arms, crying her eyes out.

Takashi bit his bottom lip, running his fingers through her hair. "I know, sshh..."

Laura and Braelyn watched on, Laura a little too upset about the aftermath of her house to care that everything was under control now. Now feeling it was safe, she walked into her dining room, ignoring Takashi and Toryn on the floor as she eyed the damages Toryn caused. Her walls needed to be redone and her carpets most likely replaced. Braelyn on the other hand stared at her husband who must have clenched his jaws about five times...he did that a lot when he was angry or in deep thought about something.

Toryn didn't even want to look up, she was so embarrassed now. Just like that she was back to normal. Now she realized there was no bird and never had been. She had destroyed the place and successfully made herself look crazy in less than two minutes. She couldn't remember but it was something she desperately tried to avoid in high school for this same reason, being judged. Now she could bet that was exactly what everyone was doing.

"I'm sorry Taka, I know I'm causing so much drama in your life." Toryn cried into his chest.

"Nah baby you not." He said, scooping her into his arms bridal style.

Braelyn literally looked at the ground because she thought her heart fell out. She stood there silently as Takashi walked past her and toward the staircase. She didn't even think he noticed she was standing there. She watched Toryn's hands around his neck and saw the intensity in his eyes as they were both speaking to each other. Toryn had tears in her eyes, but Takashi easily wiped them, saying something to her before they disappeared up the stairs.

Braelyn hadn't even realized she was crying as well until she felt a tear tickle her cheek.

Upstairs, Takashi used his foot to gently push Toryn's room door open. He used his back to close it before gently placing her on the bed. He took a seat next to her and just stared. Partly with pity and partly accusingly. His voice was tame though, his eyes following her every movement. "What happened, Toryn?"

"I-I don't know. I don't remember. I don't remember anything before I started hearing the bird in the ceiling. I'm sorry Taka I didn't mean to destroy the house. I was just trying to protect everybody." She wept.

Something was telling him no medicine would be able to help her at this point. He assumed she was most likely way beyond that point; but he didn't want to believe it. He would never speak it into existence. "It's okay man, stop crying." He said dabbing under her eyes with the back of his index finger.

She had on a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants. If it was earlier in the day he would have made her throw on a jacket and he would have rushed her to the first clinic open; but it was past 6:00 and most clinics in the area were probably closed. Takashi sighed and leaned forward, kissing her forehead. "Stay right here, I'm coming back."

Toryn nodded and sniffled, laying her head on a pillow. She never wanted to show her face again. She was humiliated. Takashi exited the room and made it downstairs where he saw his mom, trying to clean up what she could.

"Ma chill just leave it. I'll clean it and I'll pay for all the damages."

Braelyn had went upstairs to console Brielle in Laura's room, so it was only the two of them in the living room. Laura just gave her son a look and he already knew what she was saying. Laura shook her head sadly. Toryn could no longer stay here. And it wasn't because of the physical damage she did to go the house, it was because now she was dangerous. Toryn could end up hurting her one day. Laura was no longer equip to go up against Toryn.

Takashi ran a hand down his face, rubbing his temples. "I know I got her, don't worry about it."

*******

IT WAS SEVEN O' CLOCK WHEN TORYN fell asleep in the guest room in the Maxwell's house. She and Takashi were cuddled up watching movies. He guessed the stress of today had finally caught up to her. Braelyn hadn't finished cooking dinner yet, so Takashi would come back to wake her up when dinner was done.

Removing himself from the bed carefully, he pulled the sheets up to her neck and exited the bedroom, pulling the door in behind him. He walked across the hall and could feel the heat radiating from the kitchen downstairs which mostly likely meant something was in the oven. Braelyn loved baked foods since it was more healthier.

Takashi walked across the hall to his room and saw Braelyn standing in the mirror. She already changed, looking like a 1800's housewife in her long nightgown, her hair pulled back in a slick bun with a bandana on her head to protect her hair. She looked like a pretty housewife, though. Braelyn hummed, turning her head to the side. She placed her hand over her rosary, looking at herself in the mirror. Her eyes switched behind her when she saw Takashi enter the room. He walked up behind her, a slight smirk lingering on his face.

He gripped her hips and gently kissed the back of her shoulder before kissing the inside of her neck. Braelyn felt a little jolt but she kept a straight face. "It's been a long day, huh." He breathed out. Braelyn could hear the stress in his voice. She knew he was referring to the incident that happened earlier.

"You okay?" He asked, wondering if she was still shaken up from earlier. He knew Toryn must have really scared her.

Braelyn turned around in his arms. "Are you asking me genuinely, or is it because you just remembered too?"

Takashi looked down at her, his hands still on her hips. "What you mean?"

"Nothing Takashi, excuse me." Braelyn said breaking out of his hold.

He grabbed her hand before she got far, pulling her right back between his body and the dresser. His bottom lip was stretched out and his brown eyes were low. "I'm so lost right now, shorty. What's with the attitude? Brae I just got off a hard day of work to have to race to my mom's house because Toryn was having a mental breakdown. What did I do for you to be mad at me?"

Braelyn just looked off to the side but Takashi lifted her chin.

"What did I do? Why are you upset with me?"

Braelyn looked him in the eyes, once again feeling like her issues were not important. Sure she could bring it up now, but he did have a point. How selfish would she sound being upset about something so irrelevant like the way he lifted Toryn up, and spending the whole day with her when the situation was much bigger than that? But she needed to get it off her chest.