“Can I get you something, Miss Charlotte?” Agnes asked.
“Maybe some juice.”
“Of course.”
“And where’s Curtina? Up in her room? I thought she’d be down here already.”
Curtis ignored her question and so did Matthew, so Agnes said, “She spent the night with Miss Emma, and she’s going to drop her off at school today.”
“Really?” Charlotte said, feeling embarrassed and realizing she’d been too drunk last night to even notice her little girl wasn’t home. She was also sure Curtis had told Aunt Emma and that cousin of hers way too much of their business.
Curtis shook his head, clearly incensed, and Charlotte wanted to cry. He and Matthew treated her like a nonentity, and now she wished she’d stayed up in her bedroom.
Agnes set a glass of apple juice in front of Charlotte and then looked at Matthew. “So, it sounds like you had a great time at your prom.”
“I did. Racquel and I had a blast, and it was great hanging out with my boys and their dates, too.”
“I’m so glad. And what about yesterday? How was the picnic?”
“That was a blast, too. There was a ton of food, and Elijah, Jonathan, and I completely stuffed ourselves.”
Agnes chuckled. “Shameful.”
“Yeah, but you know that’s how we roll, Miss Agnes. We love to eat more than anything else.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” she said, laughing.
“So, did Racquel enjoy the picnic, too?” Charlotte asked, hoping Matthew would chat with her also.
But all he said was, “Yep,” and still didn’t look at her.
“So, is that all you’re going to say? You’re not gonna elaborate?”
“For what, Mom? You don’t even like Racquel.”
“I do like her, Matt. Why are you saying that?”
He looked away again and flipped through some magazine lying in front of his plate.
“Matt, did you hear me?” she asked.
He sighed. “Yep. But, Mom, let’s not talk about Racquel. Let’s not talk about anything.”
“Why?”
Her son looked away again.
“Matt, I already told you how sorry I am, so why are you acting this way?”
“Because you said some terrible things to Racquel. You said terrible things to both of us.”
“I know, but, honey, I didn’t mean them.”
“Well, I’ve always heard that when people get drunk, they blurt out whatever they want. They say exactly what they mean.”
Charlotte wondered what had gotten into him. She knew she’d said some hurtful words on Saturday, but being disrespectful was so unlike him. In the past, he never would have spoken to her in such a curt manner, and she hoped this new attitude of his was only temporary.
“I’m going to call Racquel and apologize to her,” she said, “because I really am very sorry.”
Matthew glanced at his watch and pushed away from the table. “I’m outta here, Dad.”
“See you later, son. Have a good day.”
Charlotte was shocked Curtis was even alive since for the last few minutes, he’d said nothing. He hadn’t looked at her or Matthew the entire time they’d been conversing, and he acted as though he didn’t have a single problem with the way their son had addressed her.
Matthew grabbed his duffel bag. “See you, Miss Agnes.”
“See ya. Enjoy your day.”
“I will. Although, I’m not really looking forward to spending whole class hours reviewing all the stuff we learned this semester. We’re doing that every day this week.”
“Well, at least your finals are just around the corner, and you’ll be free.”
“Yep, and graduation is only two weeks from today.”
Charlotte wanted to tell him how proud she was of him, but since he wasn’t talking to her, she decided against it. He was speaking directly to Agnes and making it a point to keep his back to his own mother.
When Matthew went out the door, Agnes went to change the sheets on everyone’s beds and Curtis left the kitchen only minutes thereafter. Charlotte sat for a few seconds but then ran upstairs, searched through her cell phone contact list, and dialed Racquel.
“Hello?”
“Uh, Racquel, this is Mrs. Black, Matthew’s mom.”
“Oh… hi.”
Her voice was uneasy, so Charlotte quickly said, “I just want to say how sorry I am about Saturday. My words were totally uncalled for, and I hope you can forgive me.”
“It’s fine, Mrs. Black.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I was completely out of line, and I’ll never insult you like that again.”
“It’s no problem.”
“Okay, well, I know you have to get going for school, so have a great day.”
“You, too, Mrs. Black.”
Charlotte thought about jumping in the shower, but then she thought about Curtis leaving the house last evening. So she went back downstairs to his study.
“So where’d you go last night?” she asked.
He frowned at her. “Excuse me?”
“Where were you? I remember you leaving right after I got home.”
“It’s a wonder you remember anything.”
“Well, I do.”
“I was out.”
“Where?”
“It’s not important. I’ll tell you what is, though.”
“What?”
“You and the fact that you were hanging out with some guy.”
Charlotte stared at him, paralyzed. Had he seen Greg driving her up to the gate but hadn’t said anything until now? Had he been waiting to see if she would tell him about it on her own? Had someone seen her at Chelsey’s and she hadn’t noticed them? She would never admit anything, though, until she heard additional details, because she didn’t want to say any more than she had to. She would be much more careful this time so she wouldn’t make the mistake of telling on herself the way she had with that Michael situation last year. “What are you talking about?”
“Humph. So now you’re gonna play innocent.”
“Who told you that?”
“That’s beside the point. Who was he? Who were you sitting with at Chelsey’s?”
She exhaled, happy he must not have known anything more than the fact that she’d been at a sports bar.
“Nobody.”
“You sat by yourself the entire time?”
“I did.”
“You’re such a liar, Charlotte. And not even a good one at that.”
“What?” she said, realizing it might be best to just tell the truth. Part of it anyway. “There were all kinds of people in there watching the game, and there was this one guy who came over for a few minutes. But that was it.”
“Who was he?”
“How should I know?” she said, lying again.
“Yeah, right.”
“It sounds to me like you’re jealous.”
“Have you found a house yet?” he asked, changing the subject.
“No.”
“Have you even been looking?”
“No.”
“Well, your time is running out.”
“Why? Because you’re in a hurry to move in some other woman? And anyway, who were you talking to on the phone the other night?”
“Nobody you need to worry about.”
“Well, I am worried, and I have a problem with it.”
“What you need to do is find a new house, because if you don’t, I’m filing for a legal separation and forcing you out.”
Charlotte was taken aback. “What’s wrong with you? And what decent man would treat the mother of his children so viciously?”
Curtis grabbed his nylon sweat jacket, slipped it over his snow-white Polo shirt, and strode past her.
“Where are you going?”
Curtis never turned back and kept on his way through the house and out to his truck. Charlotte went upstairs, fuming. The nerve of
him, she thought, and she was getting tired of his ice-cold demeanor. She loved him with all her heart, but she wouldn’t go on being a fool. She also wouldn’t play second string to some mistress. She’d done that a few years ago when he’d traipsed around the country with Tabitha, traveling to a number of his speaking engagements, but she’d eventually forgiven him. She wouldn’t stand for it again, though. She was sure he thought he had the right to do whatever he wanted because of the way she’d betrayed him, but she wouldn’t tolerate any philandering. She wouldn’t continue kissing his behind like some child the way she had for a full year now, and she could show him much better than she could tell him—if he pushed her.
There was still something that bugged her, though… well, actually two things. She wanted to know who’d snitched about her sitting with Greg at Chelsey’s and who Curtis had been on the phone with a couple of nights ago when she’d stormed back into his office. She wondered about both situations and knew it was only a matter of time before she discovered the truth. Same as always.
Chapter 21
Not long after Curtis left, Janine had called Charlotte and invited her to lunch, and she was only ten minutes away from The Tuxon. But as she approached one of the busiest intersections in town, she slowed and stopped at the red light. When she did, her phone beeped, and she wondered who’d texted her. Surprisingly, it was Greg, asking how she was doing, and now she remembered that they’d exchanged phone numbers at some point in the evening. She thought about texting him back, but she called him instead.
He answered after the third ring. “Hey you.”
“How’s it goin’?”
“Good, but the question is how are you?”
Charlotte laughed quietly. “Much better.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Your husband didn’t see me drop you off, did he?”
“No.”
“Whew, that’s a relief.”
“I agree. I really appreciate you bringing me home, though. It was very kind of you.”
“It was no problem, and I was glad to do it. I also hope it’s okay that I sent you a message.”
“Well, I won’t lie. My husband certainly wouldn’t be happy about it.”
“But what about you?”
“I guess it’s okay.”
“You know, I really enjoyed my time with you yesterday.”
“I enjoyed myself, too.”
“Can we do it again?”
“You know I’m married.”
“Yeah, but it’s like you said—your husband is done with you and he’s filing for a divorce.”
Charlotte almost choked. She didn’t recall telling him anything of the sort, but how else would he know? And if she’d somehow carelessly blabbed that particular information, what else had she divulged? For the first time, she wondered if maybe she truly had been drinking too much.
“What else did I tell you?”
“A lot.”
Fear swept through her. “For example?”
“That there was a time when you hated your little stepdaughter, but now you love her with all your heart, and also how you were the one who’d ruined your marriage and that you regretted it. You don’t remember saying any of that?”
“Of course I do,” she said, but her memory was pretty vague.
“It doesn’t sound like it,” he said with a smile in his voice.
“So, what do you do for a living?”
“Oh, I get it. You wanna talk about something else. I own a landscaping business.”
“How neat.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you contract for residential or commercial?”
“Both.”
“That’s great, and with it being May, you must be very busy.”
“I am. But I have a lot of employees now, so for the most part, I do more overseeing than anything else.”
“Can’t beat that.”
“No. I’ve been in business for fifteen years, and it’s grown every single year. Mostly through referrals.”
“Then that means you do good work. Also, how old are you?” she asked.
“Why? Do I look too old?”
“No, actually, you look too young to have been in business for so long.”
“How old do you think I am?”
“Midthirties maybe.”
“Wow, what a compliment. I’m turning forty next month.”
“You look good.”
“I appreciate that. And you?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No. You’re a gorgeous woman with a fabulous body, so what’s wrong with telling your age?”
“Fine. I’m in my thirties, but that’s the most you’re getting out of me.”
They both laughed.
“Oh, okay,” he said. “I get it.”
Charlotte waited for another light to change and accelerated. “Well, hey, I’d better get going. But thanks for texting to check on me.”
“You’re welcome, but I really would like to see you. Today if possible.”
“Maybe another time.”
“What about for lunch?”
“I’m meeting my best friend in a few minutes.”
“This early?”
“They open at eleven, and we always like beating the lunch crowd.”
“Then what about dinner?”
“I don’t think so. But thanks for asking.”
“Another day it is, then.”
“Thanks again for yesterday.”
“Anytime.”
Charlotte hugged Janine, the hostess seated them, and now they sat browsing through their menus. Charlotte looked up, though, and said, “Hey, I’m really sorry about the way I’ve been acting lately, but I just haven’t been myself.”
“No apology necessary. I know you have a lot on your mind, but I just wish you would let me be here for you. I wish you would let me help you.”
“There’s not a lot anyone can do when it comes to my problems with Curtis.”
Janine seemed a little quiet.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, but I guess I have a confession.”
“What is it?”
“Now, don’t get mad, but when I hung up with you yesterday, I called Curtis.”
Charlotte was a little surprised by this. “Really? What about?”
“How worried I am about you.”
“But when I spoke to you, I told you I was fine.”
“I know, but, Charlotte, I’m your best friend. We’re like sisters, and sisters know when something’s wrong.”
Charlotte gazed out the window they were sitting at.
“Please don’t be upset,” Janine said. “I only called him because I didn’t know what else to do. You won’t tell me anything, and it seems like you’ve been dodging my phone calls.”
Charlotte looked at her. “I’m sorry, and I know you mean well, but I’m dealing with a lot of craziness right now.”
“Is that why you’ve been drinking?”
Charlotte wished Curtis had kept his mouth shut. “I went out for a couple of drinks the other day, and now Curtis thinks I’m an alcoholic.”
“He didn’t say that, but he did say you’d gotten drunk twice over a three-day period.”
Charlotte’s mouth dropped open. “Girl, please. When have you ever known me to get drunk?”
“I haven’t.”
“Exactly, so Curtis is clearly exaggerating.”
“But why are you drinking at all? It’s so not like you, and I’m only asking because I love you and because I don’t want anything happening to you.”
Charlotte’s anger softened. “Drinking eases my pain, J. My heart is so broken that there are times when I feel like dying. There are times I just don’t want to go on.”
“I’m so, so sorry you feel that way.”
“Did Curtis tell you he wants me to start looking for my own place?”
“No.”
“Well he does. He wants me out, and now he’s thre
atening me with a legal separation.”
“This is horrible, and I hate that it’s happening.”
“I do, too, but there’s nothing that can be done.”
The fiftysomething male waiter walked over. “So what can I get you ladies to drink?”
“Just water for me,” Janine said.
“I’ll have a glass of Riesling,” Charlotte said, but could sense the disapproving expression on her friend’s face without even looking at her.
“Sounds good,” he said. “Also, our specials for today are shrimp DeJonghe, chicken fettuccine, and grilled salmon. I’ll take your order as soon as I return with your beverages.”
Janine smiled. “Thanks.”
The waiter walked away, and Charlotte said, “Gosh, did you ever think my life would end up like this, J?”
“No, never. Not in a million years.”
“We’ve been through so much, but I guess it never dawned on me that there would come a time when Curtis and I wouldn’t be together. Lord knows we’ve had our ups and downs, but I never thought our marriage would end.”
“Well, I’m not giving up on you guys. I still have hope, and I’m going to keep praying day and night for Curtis to change his mind.”
“I appreciate that, but I doubt it’ll help.”
“Prayer always helps, and it’s like we’ve heard in church all our lives: when prayers go up, blessings come down.”
“Humph, there was a time when I used to believe in that, but today, not so much.”
Janine leaned back. “So are you saying you’ve lost faith in God?”
“I don’t know about anything anymore.”
Janine slowly shook her head, visibly horror-struck. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that’s just the way I feel.”
“Maybe you’re depressed.”
“Maybe. Who knows?”
“Then why don’t you make an appointment to see someone?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I do. I think you should see a therapist as soon as you can.”
Charlotte clasped her hands together. “You worry too much, girl.”
“Yeah, and for good reason.”
“Okay, then how about this? If I feel any worse, I’ll consider calling a counselor.”
“I hope you mean that.”
“I do. But enough about me and my problems. How’s Carl? And how’s my beautiful little goddaughter?”
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