Anointed (Urban Books)

by Patricia Haley

  Chapter 48

  Daylight broke and it was the day after. Dave was keeping to his plan of getting to Florida. Calling and calling Madeline’s hotel room was a bust. Letting her know he was showing up was preferred but not required. He was going regardless. After several more attempts, she answered.

  “Madeline, where have you been?” he asked anxiously, relieved. “I’ve been calling and calling. What’s going on with you and the kids?”

  “What does it matter to you? Dave, I have four children desperate to get to the pool. Can’t we talk later?” she said, extending no grace. Dave was in for a tough appeal, but he had no choice. Madeline had to take him in.

  “Come on, Madeline, can’t you give me a break? I admit it. I didn’t work hard enough to get my schedule cleared for you. I’m sorry.”

  “It wasn’t for me. I’m grown. I can handle disappointment. This was for my children.”

  “Don’t you mean our children?”

  “I didn’t stutter,” she said. Dave didn’t see the thick blanket of separation thinning. Madeline was madder than he was prepared for her to be after four days. It was going to take some doing to get her to loosen up.

  Dave heard a knock on his office door and ignored it. “Okay, I give up, you win. I accept my lashing from you and the kids. Give me a chance to make it right. Let me join you and the kids for the weekend. We can make it into a surprise for them.”

  “Why would we do that? I told you from the beginning that we can’t constantly be at the bottom of your priority list. These children deserve a father every day, not just when it’s convenient for you.” He agreed but opted not to interrupt. At least Madeline was speaking in full sentences instead of a few words here and there. He’d take it as a positive sign. He heard the knock again, louder, and continued ignoring it. “I’m sorry, Dave, no way. The children will be disrupted if you show up for two days and then leave. I’m not going to let you jerk them around.”

  “Come on, Madeline, work with me. I’m really trying to make this right.”

  “You don’t seem to get it. I was very serious about all or nothing. You’re gone all the time, why bother jumping in for a coffee break? If you can’t stay for the whole week, just don’t bother coming down here. The children are used to you being gone, me too. So, stay gone.” Dave was dejected but not beaten. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later,” she said, saying good-bye.

  “Wait, I can come for the week,” he said out of sheer desperation, a position totally foreign to him.

  “How can you free up a week on a whim? What’s wrong with you?”

  “Getting to Florida is that important to me. I need to be with my family more than you know. I miss you, and I can’t wait to see you.” He didn’t have a clue as to how the presentation was going to be handled next week. At a point of compromise, he was going to lose on one side or the other. Sherry had him compromised while Madeline forced his hand. He felt an undeniable pulling between the two women. One kept him hostage on the phone and the other kept him held up in the office.

  “I have to go Dave,” Madeline said apparently unwilling to haggle. Dave finished the call knowing what had to be done.

  Sherry called into his office through the intercom. He couldn’t avoid her forever. Besides, he was running a business and she was his secretary. They were going to have to talk, eventually. Might as well be now.

  “Yes, Sherry, can I help you?” he asked after pressing the talk button.

  “You’re supposed to have a phone call with Mr. Stenton this afternoon about expanding his contract. He wants to get the rest of his staff trained.”

  “From the Lutheran Group?” They had been a tough sale in the beginning, wanting deep discounts. Dave knew that once they began interacting with DMI, the remaining sales would be effortless—it worked every time.

  “Right, he wanted to move your meeting back an hour this afternoon. After I couldn’t reach you, I told him we’d have to reschedule. You’re free Monday at three or anytime Tuesday afternoon. Which one is going to be better?”

  “Sherry, can you come into my office, please? Thank you.” She stepped right in and began closing the door. “Oh, you can leave the door open,” he practically yelled out before gaining composure. He was still CEO and had to appear in control even when he wasn’t. “I’m going to be out of town over the next week.” Sherry shifted her weight from one leg to the other and squinted. He avoided eye contact, hoping not to discuss what happened last night. “I’ll have to get you to clear my schedule, move everything around.”

  “But what about Tri-State? That’s been the primary focus here for months. You’re going to cancel the meeting?”

  “Yes,” he said. “See what you can do to get it moved to another day. You were right in moving the Lutheran Group, too. I’m not available at all today or next week.”

  “This is so sudden. What can I tell people?”

  “That I have a personal family emergency,” which was true.

  “Is there a problem with your family?” she said, coming toward him.

  Dave jumped from his seat and moved away, toward the window. He was on edge every minute Sherry spent in his office, refusing to succumb to the awkwardness.

  “I miss my family and they miss me. My judgment has been off ever since they left. I’m not balanced, and I have to fix that. So, do the best you can with the changes. If someone can’t change, cancel them indefinitely.” He turned to her and with absolute control said, “I am going to Florida to be with my family, and nothing, I do mean nothing, will stop me today. It’s where I belong and it’s where I should have been last night.”

  “I see,” she said, standing in the middle of the floor with her mouth slightly open. She ran from the office and he let her go. His decision was firm but it didn’t stop him from feeling awful about hurting Sherry. She was twenty years his junior, a nice girl. But to reach out to her at such a vulnerable moment was bound to lead down a path he had no intention of travelling again. He’d repented, his mind was free, and temptation had been buried.

  Dave scrolled through the Rolodex, stopping at a travel agency business card. He quickly called to book a flight and car service for the evening. There were better options leaving tomorrow morning but that would mean spending an unprotected Friday night in Detroit, one he couldn’t afford. He didn’t have time to worry about what-ifs. He had to burn his energy on scrambling together a makeshift plan that the staff could use in his absence. He took the shortcut, and called Frank. He was CFO and was equipped to handle the fallout of Dave’s abrupt departure.

  Chapter 49

  Dave had everyone in high gear as they prepared for him to be out of the office. Sherry had been there nearly a year and he’d never taken off more than a few hours. He was always there, a certainty she’d come to rely on. It was weird to explain, but he was her closest friend really. Yes, he was her boss too, and that was for sure, but they were more. She had to believe they were much more. Dave had walked by her desk countless trips in the past two hours with nothing more spoken than two or three project requests. He was coming her way again. She acted busy.

  “Sherry, I almost forgot, here’s another list of meetings that you’ll have to reschedule. Thanks,” he said and went into his office, closing the door on her breaking heart. He hadn’t looked at her directly. She normally felt comfortable around Dave but today was different. He was completely focused on preparing for his impromptu week out of town and being with his family. Sherry didn’t know if she should knock on the door and have a quick chat with him or to continue pretending that nothing was wrong. She wanted to crawl under the desk and become invisible. Despair was determined to be her best friend, sticking close, allowing her minimal breathing room. Sherry didn’t know how to shake it other than having Dave affirm her presence. She wanted, needed, him to acknowledge their time together last night. She needed him to validate her feelings but he hadn’t. Sherry cringed in shame meshed with regret. Edward had cast her aside and now Dave
too. She wanted to burst into a sea of tears but was able to hold on.

  Throughout the afternoon, her strength waned. She went back and forth about whether to ask Dave a question, anything, something to hear his voice and have him confirm that she mattered. The hours had passed and his door remained mostly closed. Nothing came. On top of the depression she was battling from Edward’s departure, the coldness coming from Dave was more crushing. Her tears swelled but nothing materialized. It would wait until she got to the ladies’ room.

  Chapter 50

  Dave was on the run. He’d landed in Florida an hour ago and was becoming anxious. The hardest task lay before him, and that was getting Madeline to soften. He wasn’t exactly sure what to expect during his stay. He’d soon find out as the limousine barreled down the interstate lined with signs for DISNEY WORLD—MAGIC KINGDOM. A fairy tale ending was precisely the outcome he desired.

  He was hopeful but realistic. At best, a grand reunion with his wife and children wasn’t going to erase the stench of last night.

  Dave toughened up, reflecting on what he believed. He’d sinned. There was no question there, but he’d also repented. By faith, he knew in the depths of his spirit that God had forgiven him. If the Word of God was true, and he believed wholeheartedly that it was, then he was completely forgiven. No matter how terrible his infraction, it was hindsight and he had to walk accordingly, not allowing it to hold him hostage. Dave shook off the lingering unrest and sat back in his seat, more relaxed than he’d been since rising from Sherry’s bed last night. Harmony was flooding in, convinced that yesterday was gone and today was anew.

  Unfortunately, his act of betrayal did have other lingering implications that he couldn’t faith away or discount. The enormous question before him was whether he should tell Madeline now, later, or never. The answer wasn’t automatic. He pondered for a bit and came to a decision. Right or wrong, he’d spend the week enjoying his family and put the fractured pieces of the puzzle together afterward. Dave lay back and let images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse sweep in, as the dirty crevices of his mind were instantly brushed away, thank God.

  Madeline had heard every word Dave had said a few hours ago. Sure, he was coming to Florida. That much she’d give her husband. He did what he said he was going to do. That wasn’t the source of their problem. She needed him to do more of what benefited the family and not only the fulfillment of his self-absorbed calling. She’d heard that sermon enough times to choke on the Bible, God, and his freaking calling. If he was so bent on purpose, Dave should have understood the significance of being a hands-on father. Yes, he’d get to Florida, but would he be willing to sacrifice an entire week away from DMI for his family? That was the million-dollar question Madeline wanted to see answered.

  “Mommy, can we get a snack?” Tamara asked.

  Madeline snapped out of her daydreaming and got back to reality. Burning brain cells on Dave and what he was going to do was ridiculous. She didn’t have time for such nonsense.

  “It’s almost ten o’clock. I think it’s too late, young lady.”

  “Please, I’m really hungry,” she said, rubbing her chest.

  Madeline was sure it was a scheme. She didn’t have the heart to tell Tamara that hunger pains resided in her stomach and not her chest. The insight wasn’t worth putting a damper on her daughter’s zeal. “I guess you can have a snack. Get the boys and we’ll walk up to the snack shop. Put your shoes on quickly. I think they close at ten.”

  Her daughter went ripping out the room, yelling out the names of Sam, Andre, and Don. Madeline got up to get her shoes when the doorbell rang. With a three-bedroom suite, the bell had come in handy. She slipped on her sandals and went to the door, wondering what guest services wanted this late at night. Whatever it was, they’d better be quick because she had four anxious children thirty seconds from plowing through the front door. “Who is it?’ she asked.

  “Me, Dave.”

  Dave, she thought and let her body fall against the door. She’d forgotten that fast that he was coming. Honestly, she wasn’t prepared. Madeline drew in an extra-long breath and gripped the door handle, opening very slowly. Once the door was open, there he stood, in the flesh, the man she’d spent her entire adult years loving, and the past couple of months despising. What was she going to do with him?

  “I see you made it,” she said, lacking passion. They knew one another well, rendering no reason to pretend. Their relationship was built on honesty. It was the one bond they’d shared throughout the entire marriage and had become their glue. She wasn’t going to cheapen it by pretending to be thrilled with his arrival. She owed him more than empty words and fakeness.

  “I told you I was coming tonight. What, you didn’t believe me?” he asked, dropping the bag inside the unit and opening his arms.

  “Humph,” was the best she could offer. She didn’t fall into his embrace. It wasn’t a happily ever after ending. They were living the trauma of a strained marriage and she couldn’t muster the ability to accept his reconciliatory gesture. Constantly coming in second and third in his life didn’t generate gushing feelings of love for her any longer. She was hurt; simple as that, and it was going to take patience on his end to restore their relationship.

  Dave must have gotten the message. He dropped his arms and gave her a peck on the cheek as he entered the suite.

  Andre and Sam came barreling into the living room with their little brother keeping up. Tamara strolled in too, which was no great surprise. Wherever Don was, she was bound to be nearby.

  “Dad, you’re here,” Don and Tamara cried out, running to Dave, practically tackling him with affection. The older boys said hello and asked if they were still going for snacks, showing no significant interest in seeing their father. Madeline told them to wait a minute. She didn’t think Dave deserved the celebration, but she was beaming inside for her younger children. If they were happy, she was happy, which was precisely why she didn’t want Dave there. A week wasn’t long enough for him to get to know the children intimately. It was just long enough to lure them into a false sense of time and attention, only to have it snatched away next week. She couldn’t subject her children to the emotional roller coaster.

  “Let’s go, let’s go,” Tamara echoed, grabbing her Dad’s hand. “We have to get to the snack shop before they close. “Let’s hurry.”

  Madeline felt a bit guilty having given Dave the ultimatum. Watching Dave walk out the door with Tamara holding one hand and Don holding the other. Madeline was reminded of how much they loved him, unconditionally. Whereas she wanted loaves of his love, they seemed content with mere grains, far less than they were entitled to have. Now she had to deal with the penalty of forcing Dave to stay for an entire week or possibly longer. Ugh, she thought, and closed the door to her casket of despair.

  Chapter 51

  It was Monday, and Sherry was a mess. She didn’t want to be in the office since Dave wasn’t there. The awkwardness she’d felt on Friday was crippling and confusing. Thursday, she and Dave were perfectly fine. In an instant, their relationship had changed from boss and employee to something else. She wasn’t sure what they’d changed to. Sherry contemplated calling Dave and pretending it was for DMI business. At least she would hear his voice. With further consideration, she decided not to call.

  Sherry busied herself, determined to stay calm, yet the constant barrage of negativity kept coming. She hadn’t given any consideration to the possible fallout of her actions. Dave might tell Madeline, and then Sherry was out of a job for sure. She’d never worked with Madeline directly in the office. When Sherry first started, Madeline came in once in a while. Sherry had always taken notice of how firm Madeline was. She wasn’t shy and didn’t hold back. The few times she’d seen Madeline in action, she was on the phone talking tough to the clients who had been demanding deep discounts. Madeline and Dave had different styles but they were both very good at their jobs, an observation that made Sherry feel worse. She was certainly out of a job. The m
ore she dwelled on her situation the more evident the outcome became.

  Oddly, there was going to be a heavy price paid for unleashing her heart and allowing love to roam freely. Sherry negotiated a reasonable explanation that she could live with. When she thought about it, Dave was the one who’d come on to her. He was the one who’d initiated their intimacy. She wasn’t completely to blame. He had his part, although that wasn’t going to matter to Madeline. It had to be easier casting aside a secretary than the husband she’d been married to for years. Plus they shared a company and four children.

  Sherry had saved some money for the wedding. Maybe that could hold her until the placement office could find another job. Even after putting the pieces together and rationalizing what was going to come next, she didn’t regret the connection with Dave. Truthfully she felt the opposite, acknowledging a deep sense of longing that wasn’t going to be satisfied with her in Detroit and Dave in Florida. Sherry slumped, depressed.

  The phone rang. Sherry rushed to get the phone, desperately hoping it was Dave. Her greeting soared with excitement then began floating to the ground.

  “Edward, it’s you,” she said, actually glad to hear from him. He wasn’t Dave but that wasn’t a truth he could change. So she didn’t blame him. “I have been worried sick about you,” she whispered into her phone, scanning the area to see who might be close enough to hear. The coast was clear but she’d be watchful. “You left without saying good-bye. How could you be so cruel, Edward? I’ve been an absolute wreck since you left.”