“I know, and I’m sorry, Sherry. It’s just that you hurt me badly when you gave my ring back. I admit it. I was so angry that I wanted to get away as fast as I could. I took the airline ticket and got out of town. The way I left wasn’t right. I know it, and I’m sorry. But at the time, it was all I could do from going berserk.” Sherry was really glad to be talking with him. She’d missed him and was relishing in the love he was pouring out over the line. “As mad as I was at you, I realized that nothing has changed for me,” he told her.
“What do you mean?”
“Miss Sherry Henderson, I love you as much today as I did last week, last month, and last year. You are the woman for me. I love you like I’ve never loved anybody.”
The longer he spoke, the worse she felt. Edward was a good man, and he deserved better. Instinct said to apologize and work out a reconciliation. “After I didn’t hear from you for days, I figured you didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“Oh no, I still want you to move to Texas with me. We can have a great life together here. I’m finally where I need to be with a good job under my belt. I can take care of you properly and treat you like the queen you are.”
She gobbled up each kind word, using it to bury Dave’s rejection. As the darkness in her day showed signs of brightening, she pondered. Perhaps she could move to Texas, get married, settle down, and start a family. She wanted to speak out and say yes about moving to Texas, but Dave kept muscling his way into her emotions, snatching her from Edward’s sincere embrace. She couldn’t resist Dave, his commanding presence, his intelligence, and the way he made her feel valued and important.
Sherry was confused, being jerked back and forth between Dave and Edward. She didn’t know what to do. For now, she’d keep Edward on the phone as long as possible. He was a soothing ointment on her singed soul.
Chapter 52
The weekend had crawled along. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday had passed, putting Thursday front and center. Dave was stretched out on the couch. His neck was a little stiff, having slept in an awkward position. He’d been too tired and discouraged to let out the sleeper. After the fifth night of distance from Madeline, his picture was clear. Dave lay pondering their situation. He should get up and go home but his determination wasn’t allowing him to give in. He was in Florida for one reason: to be with his family. It wasn’t going to be easy mending fences but that’s what he had to do.
He finally planted his feet on the floor, rubbed his head, and stood for a stretch, rolling his shoulders, buying time before confronting the storm in his life. Dave meandered down the hallway toward Madeline’s bedroom. He stopped at the doorway, bracing but still determined. It was nearly nine o’clock and no one was stirring. A minute elapsed before Dave knocked on her door. It was already cracked open. He walked in slowly and saw Tamara and Don sleeping in what should have been his spot on the bed.
“Madeline, are you asleep?” he said, going to the bedside of his kids and squeezing in. She rustled around without responding. He didn’t call her again, concerned that she might get irritated. Their rapport was that tenuous. Dave rested his head against the headboard, letting one foot remain on the floor. The kids were sprawled out, leaving only a small amount of space for him. He fit in where he could.
“What do you want, Dave?” Madeline said in a muffled voice, flinging the sheet over the kids and intentionally excluding him. Not a cover of the sheet touched him.
“What do you and the kids plan to do today?”
She sat up but kept her back to him. “We’re going to spend the day at Tomorrowland. Sam and Andre are bent on setting a record on Space Mountain. So, that’s where we’re going.”
“What’s Space Mountain?”
“Oh, it’s a roller coaster ride of some sort that scares them to death.”
“Wow, that sounds intense,” Dave said, amused.
“Well, that’s where they want to go.”
Don and Tamara stayed asleep with little to no movement. “Can the little ones go on a ride like that?”
“No, Dave,” Madeline snapped at him. “Duh, come on.”
He didn’t react. Dave was going to keep feeding Madeline chunks of calm despite what she hurled at him. “If you’d like, maybe I could take the boys for you and you could take Don and Tamara on rides they like.” Madeline whipped around and shot a look at Dave that screamed. Then she said, “You think I can’t handle four children? By now you ought to know better.”
“I’m just trying to help out while I’m here.”
She rose up from the bed, sitting straight up. “Don’t you get it? I don’t need your help. I’ve gotten used to not getting it. You spend your time living and breathing DMI, and then you think you’re going to hop a plane, come down here, and take over.” Her voice was getting loud, causing the kids to fidget, but they didn’t wake up yet. “Do you understand that’s not going to happen? Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.” Her gaze pierced his soul. She was really mad, not just upset, but bitterly angry. Dave wanted to cast a rod of unity, but Madeline wasn’t taking the bait.
“What can I do, Madeline? Tell me and I’ll do it.”
“N-o-t-h-i-n-g.”
Dave sat for a while and then got up. Before walking out he said, “Obviously you don’t want me here.” Madeline gritted her teeth and rolled her eyes. She’d spoken; additional words would be redundant. He walked out accepting where she was. He’d give up on trying to appease her and shift his focus to spending the remaining time with his kids. Unfortunately the number of days was completely in Madeline’s control. She’d decide when he had to go. Dave didn’t hang his head. Instead, he went to the kitchen, willing to prepare breakfast for anyone interested in sharing a meal with him. He was pretty sure Don and Tamara would. The rest of the family was a monumental question mark, one he hoped to convert to a comma, representing a continuation of their bond.
Chapter 53
Dave limped into the living area, wounded but not defeated. He’d set his family woes aside to tackle battles where his strength never wavered, at DMI. Thinking of the office, Sherry did trot across his thoughts. There was no way around her. If he was going to get updates while out of town, they’d have to talk. He would be okay with continuing their boss-and-employee relationship while blotting out their brief indiscretion. Last Thursday night was in the past for him, completely buried. He wasn’t sure if she felt the same way. He claimed a quiet spot at the kitchen table, next to the wall phone. Dialing DMI, soon he’d find out.
“Sherry, it’s Dave. Thought I’d check in before the day gets too hectic for you there.”
“Hi, Dave,” she said, without him detecting any awkwardness. There was bound to be some but nothing yet.
“So, what’s going on in the office? Any major news?”
“Only the Tri-State expansion meeting. I have tried and tried to get a new date set but no confirmation so far.”
“Well, keep trying.” Andre walked into the kitchen and went to the refrigerator without saying a word. Dave felt invisible. He figured it was because he was on the phone. Maybe his imagination was in overdrive, but for several days he’d sensed that Andre was avoiding him. Dave covered the mouthpiece on the phone and said, “Good morning, son.” Andre returned a weak wave. “Sherry, hold on please.” He directed his conversation to Andre. “Come on, surely you can do much better than that, young man.”
“Hi,” he said, agitated.
Dave didn’t get mad. He was sad seeing the sting of Madeline’s anger transferring to the kids. He was helpless. Here he was a man brokering million-dollar deals with a long line of top executives, movers, and shakers. Yet, he couldn’t manage the lackluster response of a ten-year-old.
“Dave, are you there?” he faintly heard coming from the phone.
Sherry. He’d forgotten she was on the line. “I’m here,” he said, fumbling to get the phone up to his ear. “Now, what were you saying about Tri-State?”
“We still have to get the meeti
ng rescheduled.”
“Shoot for next week.”
“That’s been the problem. They’re bent on coming in this week. They wanted me to check with you and see if there was any way you could come in this week. They offered to pay for the plane ride.”
Dave laughed out loud for the first time in days. It felt good.
Out of nowhere, Madeline entered the kitchen while he was laughing.
The call was innocent, but it didn’t feel that way. He knew why. The grand plan had been to come to Florida, find the right private moment with Madeline, and tell her the truth about what happened with Sherry. He hadn’t found either the courage, the time, or both. Every day that his secret remained buried, the roots were spreading. He realized that unless he unearthed the issue, it would eventually grow too big to conceal and manifest at the most inopportune time. He couldn’t let that happen. He’d tell her, soon.
“Who are you talking with this early?” Madeline asked, opening the cabinet.
Dave hesitated and then said, “Sherry.”
“It figures,” she snapped at him. “You can’t leave DMI for a few days without checking in.” Dave adjusted the phone to reduce the chance of Sherry overhearing. Madeline bent down and whispered into his ear. “Who are you fooling? This isn’t where your heart is. Do us all a favor, go home,” she drilled into his ear.
“Sherry, tell the Tri-State clients thanks for the offer, but I have a family commitment the entire week,” he said to Sherry, intending for Madeline to hear him too. “I’m here until further notice.”
Madeline slammed the cabinet drawer shut.
“Humph,” she muttered, storming out.
“I’ll let them know what you’ve said,” Sherry told him. Dave was ready to end the call when she said, “Dave, can we talk when you get home?”
“About what?” he asked, sitting up in the chair and scanning the room. A family member might enter at any time. His conversation had to be clean.
“Kind of personal.”
“Sure, why don’t you get a meeting on my calendar,” he said a bit louder. “We can discuss the details then,” he said, intentionally vague. He had to protect home. Sherry would have to understand.
Chapter 54
Don and Dave tumbled around on the floor playing silly games. Tamara sat close by waiting her turn, jumping in every now and then. Madeline watched off to the side. She was enraged, to the point where her head was hurting. She massaged her temples gently with no results, forcing her to apply more pressure. She’d go and lie down, hoping to get relief. Madeline stumbled to the bedroom, not quite sure what to do. She’d spent most of the first week with the children, alone. They’d established a routine and it worked for her. Dave popped up on short notice and was trying to dominate time with the children. She had to lie down, relax, and let the anger dissipate. Besides, the only person in pain was her. Dave and the two younger children were getting along nicely.
Rest didn’t come easily. Perhaps a cup of tea would help. She wandered into the kitchen to find Dave on the phone again.
“I haven’t seen a fax machine here, but I’ll check and let you know,” Dave said to whoever he was talking to. If Madeline had to guess it was DMI.
“Don, Tamara, go get your things packed,” she told them.
“Why, we don’t leave until tomorrow?” Miss Tamara said. Madeline wasn’t in the mood to negotiate her request, not today.
“Go do what I said, young lady.”
“Okay,” the little girl said, stomping each step. Tamara stopped and displayed a look of discovery, like she’d found out a big secret. “What about Andre and Sam? Don’t they have to pack too? Can I go get them?”
“Yes and no.”
“What?” Tamara asked, looking lost.
“Yes, they have to pack and, no, you can’t go find them. I’ll get them.”
Dave got off the phone.
“Daddy, are you coming to pack with us?”
“What’s this business about packing?” he asked Tamara, picking her up to shoulder level and twirling her in the air.
“Mommy said we have to pack.”
“Why are they packing so early? I was planning to spend the day with the kids.”
“We’re going home today,” she barked at him without making eye contact.
“Today, why? I thought we were leaving tomorrow.”
“We’re leaving today. Now go and get packed,” she yelled at the children and then eased up, because it made her headache hurt worse.
“That’s not fair,” Tamara said, crying and clinging to Dave.
“Life isn’t fair, young lady, now go,” Madeline said, pointing in the direction of the bedrooms.
When Don and Tamara were gone, Dave asked, “Is this about me? Are you so mad that you’re going to rob the kids of their last day here? This isn’t like you, Madeline. What’s going on?”
She didn’t have enough energy, interest, or pain relief to adequately address his question. Plus it would be redundant. He already knew why she was upset. Dropping in wasn’t acceptable. She’d told him from the beginning what was best for the children. Selfishly he disregarded her request and showed up for a mini visit. Her children needed a full-time father, not one who squeezed them into his schedule like a client meeting. They deserved more and she would make sure they got it.
“If you can tear yourself away from the phone for ten minutes, I’d like to make a call to the travel agency.”
“You’re really going to do this to the children?”
Madeline shot a stare at him that pierced deep inside. “Don’t you even think about going there.”
“You know how much the change is going to cost you in airfare? Why spend the money when we can wait one more day and fly out together tomorrow?”
“I am not concerned about a few dollars when it comes to my peace of mind. Staying in this hotel one more night with you is going to drive me insane. At least Mayweather Lane is my turf, and I’m not so bothered with you being around.”
“Okay, Madeline, if you want to end the vacation on a sour note, be my guest.” Dave handed her the phone with nothing left to say. She took it and made the call.
“I’d like to change my reservations for tomorrow and get a flight to Detroit this afternoon.” She gave the agent her confirmation number and waited. “They’re full-fare tickets. So I should be able to make changes with no problem, correct?”
The agent agreed. Madeline waited and waited until finally the agent returned and gave an update.
“Mrs. Mitchell, there’s a flight at three o’clock, but it doesn’t have five seats left in first class. There’s only one.”
“Are you sure?’
“Positive, I called the airline to confirm.”
Madeline was dejected. “I really needed to get home today. It’s an emergency,” she said, which had enough truth to justify the comment. If she didn’t get away from Dave immediately, words might be spoken that couldn’t easily be erased. Better for her to go home and let Dave have the suite and the entire state of Florida if he chose. “What other options do I have?”
“First class is basically full, but there are five seats available in coach.”
“Ugh,” Madeline responded. Her headache was heating up, which was why she said, “I’ll have to take those unless there’s another flight later today or tonight.”
“Psst,” was the sound Dave made attempting to get her attention.
“There’s a flight at two-thirty with two seats. There’s also one at six and another at eight-fifteen, but both are also fully booked. As a matter of fact, the three o’clock flight with the five seats is your best bet.”
Madeline contemplated briefly and then said, “I’ll take it.”
“Psst,” Dave continued.
“What?” she asked him.
“Change mine too, please.”
“Humph,” she said, shaking her head for no. “You have to take care of your ticket after I finish,” she said, holding the pho
ne away from her mouth with an outstretched arm.
“Please hold on while I make the changes,” the agent told her.
“Sure, thanks,” Madeline said. While on hold she turned to Dave and said, “This flight is full except for one seat in first class.” Before he remotely considered taking the seat, she added, “And I don’t expect you to be in first class when the five of us will be in coach.”
Madeline concluded the transaction to her satisfaction. She’d be on Mayweather Lane sleeping in her bed tonight. Her headache was already easing. She handed Dave the phone. He’d have to find another flight home, because the one his family was on had no room for him.
Chapter 55
By five o’clock Madeline was sailing through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, rejuvenated. This was her dominion, and she stepped with the confidence that said so.
“Mom, can I get a drink from the store?” Sam asked.
“Sure, everybody can get something from the store,” she said amid a wave of screaming approvals. The children floated around the store picking up a few things. She was drawn to a stack of magazines on the counter with Dave’s picture. Then she recalled him mentioning an article being done on him a few weeks ago. She bought a copy and tucked it away for the limousine ride home.
Secure in the car and on their way, Madeline plucked the magazine from her bag. Her heart began warming, melting the chunks of ice she’d let form toward Dave over the past week. She stared at the handsome photo blanketing the cover. Dave infuriated her at times, lately it was most of the time, but the truth of the matter was she adored him. They’d pieced a life together, and after calmly reflecting, she wasn’t willing to throw her hard-earned work in the trash. The more she thought about it, Dave was worth a second chance. She’d talk when he got home and figure out how to move forward, to restore the best of what they had. She was willing. Hopefully he would be too. Her headache subsided.
Anointed (Urban Books) Page 18