Bella Imperia: The things I don’t say

Another day, another battle.

This time, the enemy breached the perimeter.

My back porch—once a peaceful place meant for morning coffee, afternoon breezes, and pretending I have my life together—became a full-scale battleground. The invaders had moved in quietly, strategically, and with no regard for property lines. A wasps’ nest was being built inside my back porch light.

Inside. My. Porch. Light.

The audacity.

What followed was chaos, courage, and a questionable amount of overconfidence.

There were casualties.

Mostly mine.

I discovered two things today: first, I am apparently not allergic to wasp stings. Second, wasp stings hurt like absolute hell. Not “oh that smarts” pain. No. It is sharp, fiery, deeply personal pain—as if the wasp wanted to make sure I remembered who struck first.

For a moment, it seemed I may lose the battle. I questioned my decisions. I questioned my sanity. I questioned why I did not simply call professionals like a normal person.

But I am not always a normal person.

I am, at times, an independent woman powered by stubbornness and poor impulse control.

And I refused to be bested by flying pests.

I had already been riding high on my achievements. I conquered the washing machine. I successfully hung Boston ferns. I was productive, capable, thriving even. Confidence was flowing through me like caffeine through a sleep-deprived mother.

So naturally, I looked at a nest of angry insects and thought: Yes. I too can handle this.

Reader, I did handle it.

Messily. Painfully. Dramatically.

But I handled it.

The nest was destroyed. The wasps were defeated. My porch was reclaimed in the name of peace and slightly swollen vengeance.

Now, victory does come at a cost.

I will need Tylenol.
I will need an Epsom salt bath.
I will need hydrocortisone cream.
I may also need emotional support and the validation of strangers.

But in the end, I prevailed.

Let history remember this day not for the pain I endured, nor the questionable tactics I employed—but for the fact that when faced with danger, I stood tall, swatted wildly, and emerged victorious.

Another day. Another battle.

And today, I won.

-Bella Imperia