His exhilaration leapt through the phone. She was inspired hearing him. “I have really good news that I can’t wait to share with you.”
“What, tell me. Did your unemployment benefits get extended again?”
“Better, but I’m not going to tell you until I see you in person. Please don’t work late tonight.”
She looked at her mound of work. “But I do have a lot of work left to do.”
“Please, I’m begging you to come home on time tonight, at least this one time, please.”
The sincerity rang loudly. She wouldn’t refuse his passionate appeal. “Sure, I’ll leave in a few minutes.”
“You promise? Don’t tell me you’re coming home early and then get caught up after you get off the phone.”
“I won’t, I promise. As a matter of fact, I’m putting my sweater on as we speak. I’m grabbing my purse. I’m walking out now. I’ll run by my place and be at yours before six.”
“Great, but don’t bother stopping at your apartment. Come right over. I can’t wait to see you.”
She might have stopped working at five, but her fantasizing continued in high gear. The thirty-minute drive to Edward’s seemed like five minutes. When she parked out front, there were few details Sherry could recall during her drive. Spas, limousines, all of it swirled around, nearly making her dizzy. She climbed the three flights of stairs to that attic apartment and knocked. Edward must have been standing at the door because he opened it instantly. Before she could greet him, Edward had whisked her from the hallway, squeezing tightly.
“My, aren’t we in a good mood.” She wanted to say “for a change” but decided against it. Whatever had him happy she didn’t want to ruin. It was such a rare state for him these days. He set her feet on the floor but held on longer. “My goodness,” she said, wanting a little space. It wasn’t his welcome that made her gasp for air. His apartment, room, or whatever he called it was the culprit. The place was tiny. She felt claustrophobic and was anxious to get out of there. “What’s the good news?” Hopefully he would tell her quickly. They could hug in celebration, and she could then get outside in less than five minutes total.
“Not so fast, ma’am. I want to savor this special moment. We don’t get a chance to talk much anymore.”
“About what? We talk all the time.” More like disagree, but talking was talking, she figured.
“Let’s talk about how our days went.” Sherry grimaced. “I’m serious, I want to hear about your day,” he told her.
“I don’t know if this is such a good idea, Edward.” They’d been down this path and it never ended well. She wanted to avoid the predictable and disastrous outcome. “You don’t usually like to hear about my day. You’ve told me a hundred times how much you don’t like my working late or how much focus I give DMI. I really don’t want to fight tonight. I had an amazing day and don’t want to ruin it with an argument.”
“I had a pretty incredible day too, so we’ll both have something wonderful to share. You go first,” he insisted.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she appealed.
“I’m sure.”
“Okay, well today was amazing like I said. My boss asked me to help him schedule this birthday package for his wife. It was out of this world. You wouldn’t believe how much money rich people spend. For one day, he’s going to spend over two thousand dollars. Who does that?” she said, bubbling. “I wish I could have a day like that,” she said without thinking. Sherry watched the pride drain from Edward’s countenance along with his smile. What had she done? Maybe there was a way to salvage the mood. She’d try. “Enough about my silly day, how about yours? I can’t wait to hear your great news. Come on, tell me. I can’t wait any longer.” She laid the charm on extra thick to overshadow her callous comment. He was struggling to pay the bills and she was cooing over her boss’s birthday gift. She felt awful.
“I’m sorry to have you living like this,” he said, peering around the room. “I can’t promise you the kind of birthday present that your boss got his wife, not yet, but one day, I promise to give you much more.”
“Don’t you think twice about the gift. I want to hear your news.”
He reluctantly said, “I got a job.”
She screamed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“That is great news. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wanted to surprise you but it’s no big deal.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s huge, congratulations. Is it with Ford or Chrysler, where?” She fired off a few more questions before he got a chance to answer.
He looked away and then back toward her. The joy he had when she came in was gone. Sherry knew it but continued clinging to the positive tidbits that she hadn’t yet driven out of the room.
“This placement is with the temporary service. I’ll be working the assembly line at a small factory on the other side of town. It’s second shift, three to eleven. I didn’t want to work nights but what choice do I have? It pays two hundred a month more than unemployment. I had to take it. The extra will cover the other half of your rent,” he said. That seemed to boost his enthusiasm.
“I don’t want you doing this because of my rent. My DMI check can keep covering my rent and more if we need it to.”
“We’re not having this conversation again. I’m the man in this relationship. If I can’t take care of you, what good am I in this relationship? It’s done. I’m taking the job and your rent is paid in full from now on and that’s final.”
She didn’t argue. She’d already wounded his spirit once this evening. She wasn’t going to twice. Edward was a good man. He didn’t have much, but what he did have, he was more than willing to generously share with her. She settled into the tight room and breathed. It was temporary and she could hold out until Edward got stable. She fell into his arms and relaxed.
Chapter 30
Dave was restless throughout the night. It was no wonder his feet were on the floor long before the alarm rang at 5:00 A.M. He ran down to his office and pulled out a single long-stemmed deep red rose that was safely tucked inside his closet. He’d gotten in fairly late last night and figured the flower wouldn’t be discovered. He’d decided against giving her a full bouquet since Madeline would be gone for the entire day. Next to the rose was a card. He set the flower down and signed the card, finishing his note with:
Thank you for being a dynamic partner, wife, and confidant. With all my love, I hope you enjoy your birthday. If anyone deserves it, you do.
He tucked the flap into the envelope, grabbed the flower, and rushed to Madeline. He couldn’t wait to make her day.
Upstairs, he sat on the bed next to her. She was sound asleep. He softly whispered her name. After several attempts to wake her, she began rousing.
“Good morning, darling; happy birthday.”
“Ah,” she moaned, stretching the cover over her head. “What time is it?”
“A little after five,” he whispered, poised to give her the rose.
“That’s too early. The boys don’t get up for another two hours. Go on to the office and let me get back to sleep. I’ll call you later or see you tonight or whenever.”
Her reaction wasn’t what he’d expected but Dave was determined not to be dissuaded. She was tired and he could certainly understand, but that’s exactly why today belonged to her.
“I’m not going to work today.”
She was quiet at first and then popped up in the bed. “Why, what’s wrong? Are you sick?” she said, clearly concerned.
“Nooo, I’m not sick. As a matter of fact, I feel great,” he shouted.
“Then what’s wrong with you?”
“Happy birthday,” he said, handing her the card and rose.
“Thank you, but you’re avoiding my question. Why aren’t you going to work?”
He drew closer to her. “Because I’m staying at home with the children.”
“Oh, quit playing,” she said and lay back down.
“I’m serious. I’m staying at home and taking care of the children today.”
Madeline had a perplexed look and then out of nowhere, erupted in laughter, to the point that she had to grab her stomach. Each time she tried speaking, her laughter latched on, making it impossible. Finally, after what felt like five minutes, Madeline was able to eke out a response. “You stay home with the children?” She started laughing again, pointing at him.
Dave wasn’t feeling the humor, but it was her birthday. If that’s the way she wanted to spend her day, fine with him. “This is your day.” He drew in even closer, leaving minimal separation between them. He gently stroked along her forehead and down the side of her face. “I’ve planned total relaxation for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“At seven, a car is picking you up and whisking you off to the spa.” The shock resonating on her face was priceless and worth the preparation efforts he’d made.
“I can’t go anywhere in the morning. I have to get the boys off to school, and then Tamara has to get on the school bus at noon. I . . .” she stammered. “I can’t go at seven.”
“Yes, you can. You have to. I’ll be here. I’ll take care of the kids,” Dave said, not doing well at assuring her.
“You don’t know the first thing to do when it comes to the children.”
“Okay, give me a quick set of directions.” He’d have the nanny and housekeeper as backup. How hard could it be? She was taking her gift. He wasn’t letting her off without a fight.
“I’m not sure,” Madeline said, bending her knees and resting her elbows on top. “I don’t think you’ll be able to handle it.”
“Try me and let’s see, fair?”
She sighed. “You’re not going to let up, are you, until I say yes?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Fine, I’ll go to the spa. How long is it, a few hours?”
“Actually, it’s the entire morning.”
“Oh my goodness, what are they going to do, peel my entire body and make me over?”
“Pretty much.”
“Okay,” she said in a muffled yell. “Just get me home in time to see Tamara off to school and before Don takes his nap.”
“No can do. After the spa, the car is taking you over to Canada for an afternoon of shopping.”
“There’s nowhere to shop across the river.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got that covered. There will be plenty of shopping for you.”
Madeline pressed her palms into both sides of her head and wailed. “Whatever, if nothing else, you’ve piqued my curiosity. I’ll go.”
“Thank you, Lord.”
She flipped the comforter back. “Let me get moving. I can get lunches packed for the boys.”
“No, you’re not. You’re going to rest for another hour and let me fix the lunches.” He wasn’t sure why the housekeeper or nanny weren’t fixing the lunches every day. Maybe they weren’t starting early enough to be of full benefit to Madeline. He’d have to check into that later.
Madeline reached out to him and they embraced. “Thank you for being so thoughtful.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
“I honestly think you’re getting in over your head with the children, but who am I to stop a self-made millionaire from making a decision? They’re all yours,” she said, kissing his cheek. “Have fun and don’t bother calling me at the spa to report any disasters. I’ll be too relaxed to respond.”
“Just what I want to hear.” Dave was happy, because Madeline was happy. Their marriage had endured a few stretched moments, ever since she’d left DMI last September, but they’d survived and would emerge stronger by God’s grace.
Chapter 31
Madeline hadn’t completely followed Dave’s orders, but she came as close as he could expect. She got up at six and took a bath. He’d planned for her to get out of bed and go straight to the spa where she could take a mineral bath and enjoy the full amenities of the spa. Dave sighed. His Madeline was going to do it her way. There was no sense spending energy debating with her. It was her time to use as she pleased.
“I’ll get the lunches packed for Sam and Andre,” she said, descending the stairs with her purse and a hanging bag containing the clothes she was changing into after the spa treatment.
“Let me get that for you,” he said, reaching for the bag.
“It’s light. Don’t worry about it,” she said and continued descending the staircase.
He was mildly disappointed. Dave wanted to make the entire day whimsical for Madeline, but she was so independent that he realized his vision would be much more difficult to execute than expected. “Don’t worry about the lunches. I can make them or the housekeeper can. Between us, we can handle two school lunches.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Did you know that Andre doesn’t like his sandwich to touch his fruit? You have to put his fruit in a bag and then stick it inside his lunch pail.”
“I got it, done,” he said, having no knowledge of Andre’s idiosyncrasy. Coming behind her, he placed one hand on her right shoulder and the other on her left forearm. “I’m steering you in the direction of relaxation,” he said, heading her toward the door.
“It’s too early for me to leave. I have twenty minutes left, and I have to sign Sam’s field trip note.” She draped the bag across the banister and took two steps up the stairs. “I also forgot to get the makeup kit for Tamara’s career fair. She couldn’t decide whether to be a fashion designer or makeup artist, so Miss Tamara decided to be both.”
“Where did she get the idea of being either of those?” he asked.
“Who knows, but I can’t stand around talking,” she said, taking the stairs faster, but Dave ran up and jumped in front.
“You are getting out of here, Mrs. Mitchell.” He took her hand and initially she resisted going back downstairs. Madeline wasn’t the only persuasive person in the family. Dave had built a company on the art of persuasion. A few select words and she was standing in the doorway holding her garment bag and purse. “Go and don’t worry about us. We’ll be just fine.”
“I need to say good-bye to the children again.”
“No, you don’t. You already woke up each of the kids and gave them hugs and kisses. They’ll be good for a few hours without you. The real question is, will you?”
“Bye, Mr. Mitchell,” Madeline said curtly, but with enough sweetness to let Dave know she was appreciative.
He stood outside as the limo exited the estate grounds.
He went inside and stood in the foyer not sure what to do next. Were the kids getting up on their own or would he have to wake them? In that moment Dave decided that no matter what happened, he was not going to disturb Madeline, not even if there was an emergency. Dave wanted her to relax. But the primary motivation for his decision was to prove that he could look after four kids. He wasn’t a fool. Of course he’d need the nanny and housekeeper to help, but Madeline did too.
By seven-fifty, Dave was running around the kitchen in disarray with Sam and Andre looking on. “Here, take these lunches,” he said, handing the pails to the boys in no particular order.
“Detroit Pistons is his. Speed Racer is mine,” Andre said and switched with his brother. As soon as he looked inside he began crying and shoved the bag off the counter.
“What’s wrong with you?” Dave asked, frazzled from the ruckus the two boys made getting dressed this morning. He was certain they didn’t horseplay every morning with their mother.
“You probably put his apple in the bag without covering it,” Sam said.
Oh shoot. Dave had forgotten that fast. The housekeeper whisked in to pick up the bag and to console Andre.
Dave scrambled, realizing time wasn’t on his side. “I think we can pack another lunch before your bus comes.”
“We don’t have any more deli meat, Mr. Mitchell,” the housekeeper told him. “We normally do the shopping on Tuesday.”
“That’s toda
y?” Dave said in a panic.
“Yes, sir.”
There had to be a plan B. The boy couldn’t go to school without a lunch. “Do they have a restaurant close to the school?” Dave figured he could buy a meal and drop it at the school before lunchtime.
“We don’t know. We ride the bus to school or Mom takes us,” Sam said.
Andre shrugged his shoulders. “You can buy lunch at our school,” he said, lighting up.
“Great,” Dave said, relieved and wondering why he hadn’t thought of that from the beginning. He darted upstairs, taking three steps at a time in pursuit of his wallet. He was up and back down in less than two minutes. He searched for a smaller bill but had to settle on a twenty and handed it to Andre.
“Can I have one too?” Sam asked.
“For what?”
“To buy my lunch.” Dave didn’t see any reason to buy him one when he was holding a perfectly good pail of food.
“Go on, boy, and get out of here, and take your lunch with you.” Sam trudged out. Andre was happier than Dave had seen him in a long time. “And bring me my change. That lunch can’t cost more than a buck or two,” he yelled as the boys ran to the edge of the long driveway. Dave saw the bus already sitting and waiting. He shook his head and went inside.
“We did it,” he told the housekeeper. “I was glad to see Andre so happy about the lunch. I’ll have to tell his mother that we should let them buy at the school more often.”
“I don’t think she’ll go for it.”
“Why not?” If it made the kids happy, he was all for it.
“Because Andre is allergic to nuts and he doesn’t like the edges on his bread. Mrs. Mitchell tried the school’s lunch program for several weeks until she had to stop.” Dave’s sense of accomplishment was vanishing with each revelation. “Andre wasn’t eating much at school. He came home starved each day until she put a stop to it and starting packing what he likes and can eat.”
“I had no idea,” Dave said, dejected. “But he was so thrilled about buying lunch. Why didn’t he tell me?” “Oh it’s probably like a game to him. He got to pull the wool over his father’s eyes.”
Anointed (Urban Books) Page 11
