Lee nodded his head in agreement. “I’ll let him know.”
Carol reached over and patted her husband’s arm. “Lee, I think he’s already put in an application to Michael.”
Duffy blinked. “Michael Dunbar?”
Carol nodded. “Yes. He’s my cousin’s brother-in-law. Of course, I don’t know if he’ll get the job...”
Duffy’s arm slid from the back of the chair to Sunday’s shoulders. He squeezed her shoulder hard enough to cause her to wince. Duffy turned his head to look at his wife. “Isn’t that funny, Sunday?” He turned back toward the couple. “That’s quite a coincidence. We saw him earlier today at Sunday’s cousin’s house. Madison.”
Carol nodded. “I know Madison.”
Duffy chuckled. “That Michael. He seems to have his fingers in all the pies. Sunday works for him too. Does some accounting for him. Don’tcha, Sunday?”
Sunday nodded. She felt the hot flush from Duffy’s comments and hoped Carol and Lee didn’t pick up on her husband’s sarcastic remarks.
“I didn’t know that,” Carol replied.
Sunday offered, “Just part-time for a while. His main accountant is on leave for her pregnancy.”
“Well, that was nice of you,” Carol replied.
“Yes, my wife can do it all. Last month she was involved in the Clear Lake clean-up day.” He leaned forward. “Need any body to help you recycle? How about a maid for the day? Sunday can do it all.”
Carol laughed and shook her head. “Oh, Duffy.”
Sunday felt ill. While she plastered a smile on her face, her stomach churned from the anger rising within. She glanced away, catching a second of Lee’s face. He stared oddly at Duffy.
Lee spoke up. “Duffy, I think we’re both lucky to have the wives we do.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ve got to be getting back home.” He reached toward his back pocket.
“Dinner’s on me,” Duffy stated.
Carol leaned toward Sunday. “Call me sometime. I know this great spa—we can make a day of it!”
Sunday nodded. “Sounds like fun, Carol. I’ll do that.”
* * * *
The drive home took forever. Sunday stared straight ahead as Duffy barreled home. Tension was thick in the air. Sunday ran several scenarios in her head, where she reached over and beat him about the face all the way home. The SUV was barely stopped in the garage before Sunday got out and quickly entered the house.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Duffy questioned, setting his keys on the dining room table.
Sunday turned quickly; she felt the anger inside her burst forth like a tsunami. “What the hell is wrong with me? Just because you humiliated me in front of our friends? Made a complete ass out of yourself?” She paused. “Michael’s got his fingers in everything,” she mimicked.
Duffy took his old Army stance: arms crossed; his legs wide apart. “I can’t even go out and have dinner, without his name being brought up.”
She held her hand up. “Duffy! This is a small community. Everyone knows everyone! Or they’re related! You were an ass tonight. I don’t know when I’ll go out in public with you again!”
“You wouldn’t be making such a big deal out of it, if you didn’t have something going with him.”
“Stop it! I’ve had it with your jealousy!”
Duffy walked over to her purse and pulled out her cell phone. “Call him then. Call him now and tell him you quit.”
Sunday crossed her arms now and shook her head. She could feel the trembling of her body, a mixture of rage and fear. “No. I won’t do it. You’re ridiculous!”
“Here.” He pushed the phone toward her face.
Her reaction was instant and without thought. She slapped the phone from his hand. The cell was airborne for a couple of seconds before landing, skidding across the hardwood floor.
For a split second, Duffy’s head turned the direction of the phone. When he turned back and faced Sunday, anger flared in his dark eyes. She took a step back just as his hand swung, barley connecting with the side of her face. Even though it wasn’t the full impact, the force sent her backwards, falling. Her head barely missed the edge of the coffee table.
Duffy knelt down beside her. “Oh God, Sunday...I’m sorry...” He tried to pick her up.
She slapped at him. “Get your fucking hands off me!” She rolled over and pushed herself up. All the while, Duffy pleaded with her.
“I didn’t mean to...not your face.”
Sunday didn’t realize she was bleeding until she saw the red spots on her hardwood flooring. She reached up and touched her lip. It felt swollen, sticky with her blood.
“Dammit.” She walked into her bedroom, pulling a suitcase out. Tossing it on the bed, she opened her drawers and began to throw some clothes in it.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m leaving.”
He shook his head adamantly. “No, you’re not.”
She grabbed up her suitcase, lugging it out the bedroom door. Duffy reached out and grabbed the handle.
“You’re not leaving. I’m sorry I hit you. I won’t do it again.”
“How many times have you said that, Duffy? Fifty? A hundred?” She grabbed the handle with both her hands, attempting to pull it out of Duffy’s grip. He was too strong.
Relinquishing, she reared back and kicked the suitcase at him. Sunday ran through the house, picking up her purse, and out to her car. She had moved it to the front of the house before they left for dinner because Duffy wanted to drive the SUV. She jumped in and locked the doors before she started the ignition.
“Open up,” Duffy demanded. He stood beside her car. She shook her head and started the car. Duffy banged on the window. “Please, Babe. Don’t do this.”
She stepped on the gas. Duffy ran a few steps and threw himself onto the front of her car. She stomped on the gas. He grabbed a hold of the windshield wipers. “Please, Sunday. I love you. Don’t do this.” She sped up more, hoping he would just let go. She would reach the highway soon. What would she do then?
“Bastard! Let go of my car!” She was almost to the highway. Maybe he would fall off and someone would run over him, kill him. Did she really want that? Just before reaching the intersection, she swerved to the right and slammed on the brakes. Duffy lost his grip and slid off of the car. He tumbled to the gravel and for a brief moment, Sunday was afraid she’d hurt him badly. However, he scrambled up quicker than Sunday thought possible and jumped back on the hood.
“I love you. I’ll do anything you want, Sunday. I’ll go to counseling like you asked. We can have babies, whatever you want. But please...please don’t leave me. I can’t live without you.” Tears streamed down his face. Sunday had never seen him so desperate.
His pitiful begging tugged up feelings that had lain hidden. Duffy really did need her. His tears brought up instinctual nurturing emotions. He was promising to do all the things she’d asked him for years. It was all there, lying on a platter before her. His hand pressed against the windshield. “Please, Sunday; we can go away by ourselves. Have a second honeymoon.”
Part of her wanted to keep driving, be free! But another part clung to the hope of their marriage, of the love they once had. Tears ran freely. She reached forward, laying her palm against the window, matching his. She nodded her head, hoping she wouldn’t regret her decision.
* * * *
Sunday was just waking up. It was Monday morning. She glanced at the clock. Duffy was very late leaving for work. She smelled the mixed aroma of bacon cooking, along with cinnamon. Duffy brought Sunday breakfast in bed and sat down beside her. She had a few slices of crisp bacon, two pieces of raisin cinnamon toast, and a small glass of orange juice.
“What a nice surprise! Thank you, Honey.”
“Make the reservations as soon as you can. I’ll get a hold of Bobby and have him deal with work. If anything important happens, he can call me or fax paper work to the hotel.”
Sunday smiled. “Oh, Duffy
. I can’t believe we’re finally going away. Two splendid, beautiful weeks!”
Duffy brushed back her long hair and kissed the top of her head. “I should have done this a long time ago. I should have been thinking about you instead of work.”
“And the marriage counseling? Should I go ahead and make an appointment for when we return.”
“Sure, Baby.”
“And...you meant what you said about babies?”
“Yes! Whatever I need to do to make you happy.” He glanced at his watch. “I better get going.”
“All right.”
She finished her leisurely breakfast. After her shower, she threw on her bathrobe and entered the den. She sat down in front of the computer and began searching for Hawaii vacations. She made notes, paying attention to which island, and looked into package deals. Should they go on a short cruise? Maybe Duffy would want to go on a day fishing trip while she shopped.
After a couple of hours she took a break and called Michael, letting him know she’d be gone for a couple of weeks, and would catch up when she returned. He seemed genuinely pleased about the trip.
That done, she sat her phone on the table and took a deep breath. “Got to do it.” She called Roxy.
“What’s up that he’s taking you to Hawaii?”
Sunday grimaced. She didn’t want to tell her everything. She touched her lower lip, still swollen and tender to her touch. Her lower jaw and chin held a dark bruise.
“We had a fight.”
“Are you okay?” Fear was loud in her voice.
“Yes. He just shoved me down and I tried to leave.” She went on to describe what happened.
“You should have run the bastard over!”
“At the time, it was one of my thoughts.”
“And he actually told you he’d go to counseling?”
“Yes.”
“Must have scared the shit outta him!”
Sunday laughed, but stopped suddenly as she felt the stab of pain. “I must have.”
Roxy was quiet for a moment. “If you get there and something happens, you call me. I’ll rob a bank or whatever, but I’ll get you back home.”
“I’ll call if anything happens.”
“Are you calling Madison?”
“Just as soon as I hang up with you.”
“Sunday?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you call off that lawyer. I know right now, Duffy’s being a prince and all, but I don’t trust him.”
Sunday sighed. She had actually thought about calling the attorney and asking him to drop everything. “I won’t do anything for right now.”
Sunday ended the call. A wave of apprehension brought up doubts. Sunday shook her head. Roxy doesn’t understand how much Duffy really cares. She’ll see. In time, she’ll see.
Chapter 28
Madison opened each cupboard, slamming them closed as she went. “I’m sure I had another month of pills,” she mumbled to herself. She stood up, scowling, and placed her hands on her hips. She turned and walked into her bedroom, going through her dresser drawers. Just in case. Still finding nothing, she sighed heavily and picked up her empty package and dialed the pharmacy.
A moment later she was talking to the pharmacist, only to be told that had been her last month’s prescription and she would need to call her doctor and bring in a new prescription. Madison slammed down the phone. “I’ll have to have another friggin’ pelvic. Damn doctor has been trying to give me a good physical for the last year and half. She’s not gonna let this one pass.” She folded her arms across her chest and glared at the phone, her eyes squinting as if she could set it on fire by her thoughts.
The sudden unexpected chirp of the phone caused Madison to jump. It was Justin’s ring tone.
“Hello, Honey!”
“Hello yourself.”
“Bad day?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Oh.”
“Oh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Uh...well...Marie and Josh were planning to go out for dinner for their anniversary, but their babysitter is ill.”
Madison gritted her teeth. Calm... “Your sister needs a babysitter?”
“They could drop them by. It’d just be for two or three hours.”
“To eat?”
“Uh, I gave them money for a movie too. I said it was from us.”
If I hated his sister I could be really angry right now. But she’s such a sweetheart.
Madison rubbed her forehead. “Sure.”
“Thank you! I love you! What should I bring home for dinner?”
“You go ahead and pick something.”
She closed the phone and walked into the living room. “Princess, why don’t you ever pick up your toys? “ Bits of stuffed animal were strung across the carpet. “They’ll think we’re pigs.” Madison quickly picked up the massacred animals and vacuumed the rest of the tiny cotton puffs. She gave a quick dust in the living room. The sound of Justin’s truck reminded her of the call she needed to make to her doctor. She glanced at the clock.
“Frig! It’s too late now! I’ll have to wait until Monday!”
Justin opened the door, juggling bags of Chinese food and groceries. Madison ran to him and grabbed a bag before it slipped from his arms.
“Close call!”
“Yep.” Justin leaned over and kissed Madison’s cheek.
“You’re just tryin’ to butter me up so I’ll be nice to your family.”
“Is it working?”
“A little,” she said and grinned.
Justin grabbed the plates from the cupboard while Madison got the silverware. A knock sounded at the front door just as Madison was grabbing a pitcher of lemonade. Princess yipped excitedly. Seconds later Madison opened the door.
“Thank you so much for offering to babysit, Madison.”
Madison nodded as Marie brought little Ann Marie inside. Meanwhile, Josh handed the baby to Justin and retreated back outside. “I’ll be right back.”
Marie knelt down and met her daughter at eye-level. “I’m going to help Daddy bring in the baby’s things.” She stood up and hurried out the door.
Ann Marie walked to Madison and took her hand. “Can I play with the puppy again?”
Madison glanced around before she saw that Princess had retreated to her cage.
“In a few minutes, Honey. Let’s get you and your sister settled first.”
Josh stepped back into the house, carrying a diaper bag, a small container of toys, two blankets, and a padded mat that had items attached to it. Marie carried in another bag filled with clothes and of toys. She quickly rattled off instructions to her brother. He listened and nodded while holding the fussing baby.
Josh wrapped his arm around his young wife. “We really appreciate this. We hardly go out any more. Babysitters are hard to come by.”
“Good babysitters,” Marie interjected, cocking her head and staring at him.
“Yes. Good ones.” He squeezed her shoulder affectionately. “We had one high school girl call us, but when we checked her references, they weren’t very—”
Marie interrupted again. “You’d think if you had done a bad job, like having friends over and smoking, leaving beer cans strung through the house. Beer cans, mind you, that you would be smart enough to not use that particular couple for a reference? Maybe she thought we wouldn’t call!” She shook her head in disgust.
Madison reached over, combing back a few strands of baby Kali’s hair. “I’ll take her,” Madison offered.
Ann Marie jumped up and down. “Puppy! Puppy!”
Madison laughed and turned towards Marie. “We’ll be fine. You two go out and have a nice time.”
Justin piped in. “I’ll call if there are any problems.” He closed the door behind them. “Dinner?”
Madison shook her head. “Cold, I’m sure.”
A couple of hours later, Madison marveled at Justin lying on the floor, playing with his niece. He tick
led her playfully. The bubbling laughter of the toddler was highly infectious. Grinning to her self, Madison bottle fed the baby. It might be fun having Justin’s baby after all.
* * * *
A sharp knock at the door startled Jacki. She realized she must have fallen asleep on her couch. The morning had been cool and perfect for the landscaping job. However, the temperature had risen to eighty-five degrees. After putting in a ten-hour day she was more wiped out than she had thought. Although eighty degree weather was common on the east side of the Cascade Mountain range, the west side could only boast a handful of summer days that ran into that kind of heat.
Jacki opened the door; her eyes blinked against the glare of the setting sun. Silhouetted from the glare, the voice told Jacki who stood in front of her.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
Jacki placed her arm over her eyes to shield the light. “I’ve been working. Come on in, Elvira.”
Jacki walked back into her living room and plopped down on the love seat. The television was on, the volume low. Jacki crossed her legs and stretched her arm over the back of the small couch. Elvira sat down stiffly on the over-stuffed chair.
“You look very tired,” Elvira stated. Her face held a look of concern.
Jacki nodded. “It’s a high paying rush job. They want everything done in two weeks. I coulda put in some twelve hour days, but this heat is kicking my ass.”
Elvira glanced down, picking at a spot of loosened nail polish on her finger tip. Ever so quietly, she said, “You still could have called. What’s up? Is the romance over?” Her large violet eyes filled with tears.
Jacki shook her head. “You’re reading too much into this.”
“Am I? Three weeks ago you’d call me once or twice a day and text!”
Jacki’s attention was drawn toward the TV.
“I must be boring you!” Elvira snapped.
Jacki turned toward her; an embarrassed grin crossed her face. “No. I’m just...tired...distracted. I don’t do well in the heat.”
“That’s not all that’s going on and you know it. Tell me!”
(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women Page 17