No power at all

Well, she was right, but that didn't exactly make him happy to hear. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the shelving. "Listen here, bitch, no one tells me 'no.' Especially not some loser's slut."

Tegan scrambled against his hold as he held her up. Her vision was getting blurry and she felt her lungs scream for air. Then, she felt the hand on her let go, dropping here. There was a thud and Tegan looked up to see your neighbor, Lauren, standing there with a frying pan.

"Oh, dear," she said, bending forward and offering Tegan her hand. Jake was on the ground, completely out. Lauren helped Tegan up and gave her a soft smile, "sorry that this is the way we ended up meeting. I'm your neighbor, Lauren Phillips."

Tegan was struggling to regain her breath, leaning against her cart. "T-thank you."

Lauren rested a hand on Tegan's back and offered a gentle smile. "Let's get you and your groceries home, okay?"

"What about him?" Tegan asked, looking down at Jake.

"Who fucking cares?" Lauren quipped, earning a laugh from Tegan.

"You're right. Thanks." Tegan nodded and gathered her stuff. For better or worse, no one seemed to come to Jake's aid... Probably because everyone hated him. "Where does he get off acting like that?" Tegan scoffed as the two walked out of the store.

"He had a brief - and I mean brief stint - as mayor. He ran on a bunch of bullshit promises, turned up the cheese to eleven, and made a bunch of housewives swoon over him. He got cocky, embezzled some funds, fucked some married woman, and was literally chased out of office by a bunch of not-so-happy men. The only reason he didn't thrown in jail was because he spent most of what could be considered his prison sentence in the hospital. Besides, this is a small town. We handle everything in-house." Lauren winked.

Tegan pace with her on their walk back to their houses, giving Lauren a readers-digest about the two of you and your 'relationship' with Jake.

"Thanks again. So much." Tegan couldn't help but give her a small bow.

"Think nothing of it. Besides, I've been meaning to invite the two of you over for dinner. I just bought a bunch of groceries, so how about I cook something up tonight and you and your husband can just come on over. I'll just need to get dessert!" Lauren smiled brightly.

"If you're sure, then, yes! We'd love to come over!" Tegan gleamed before the two parted ways and returned to their houses.