Chapter Thirty Two
Maria walked into the firm behind Michael and Izzy, carrying their lunch in her hands. She had grown accustomed to the stares and the stares had reduced since she became a constant visitor. She got to Carol’s desk and placed a chocolate cake on it, “For the best secretary ever.”
Carol smiled, “Thanks, you spoil me.” She looked at Maria differently, with a new found respect. After all she had been through, it was a miracle she gathered the courage to set foot out of her home every day, if it was her she would be locked in, hiding in a corner.
“You deserve it.” she pulled Michael and Izzy back before they ran into his office, “Wait a minute, he might be busy.”
“Actually, he’s talking to Amy’s lawyer. Good job by the way.” Carol stood up and hugged her. The congratulation on her victory over Amy was an excuse to give her a comforting hug, which she really wanted to give her.
Maria felt uneasy, the pleasure of putting Amy in her place all gone. She didn’t want any legal problems, she would be a sitting duck if she were to end up in jail for it, “That was a really bad move.”
Carol pulled away, her face lit with excitement, “You really did run her over?”
“I didn’t run her over, I nicked her car.” Maria defended herself, “How bad is it?”
“Don’t worry, Dave is taking care of it. Go in.” Izzy and Michael ran in, but Maria took her time. She was sure Dave was furious she had damaged his and Amy’s car. She hated his temper and she hoped he wouldn’t be very mad at her, either way, she would take it, hopefully without cowering away. She was learning to get used to his temper, since it was never directed to her or the kids, but it was difficult and all she could think about was the day that it would be directed to her.
“What was she doing there in the first place?” Dave’s hard voice filled the room. Maria heard the door close behind her and she felt trapped, already hearing the anger in Dave’s voice. She thought of sneaking out since he had his back to her, he wouldn’t notice. “Do I have to file a restraining order?” he bellowed louder. Maria moved to the table and placed the food on it before her shaky hands dropped it.
“She’s lucky, if it was me I would have run her and that stupid car over.” he turned and his harsh face eased into a grin when he spotted Michael and Izzy playing in the corner, “she was trespassing!” his voice gentler. Maria relaxed, taking the change as a good sign. He turned to her and his grin widened, then picked up a few papers and a file and stuck them in a drawer.
Maria had gotten used to seeing him do that, she knew his job required privacy and she tried to always avoid reading his papers when she cleaned up at home—she was still getting used to calling his house her home. He beckoned the kids to him and they ran to him, Michael getting there first. He picked him up with one hand and hugged him tight, then set him down and did the same with Izzy. Maria watched them, she loved seeing that, it was picture perfect.
And the urge to go to him and have him hold her, filled her every essence. She hated being touched, that was an undisputed fact, but she craved his touch, his protective comforting touch.
“Ask your client to read the terms of the divorce again and make it clear to her.” he signalled for Maria to come to him, she moved slowly towards him, her hands dug in her back pockets. He’d seen how tense she was and he wanted to reassure her, “She is no longer my wife and who I live with or buy a car for is none of her business.” He draped a hand over Maria’s shoulders and chuckled at the stunned look she gave him, “The insurance will cover it.” he tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear, when he did, it exposed a long scar on the side of her head, something he’d never seen before. He pulled his eyes away fast before she noticed, holding her tighter against him, “We both know your client so what does she really want?”
Maria looked at him keenly, the anger was back in his voice and face. She was sure Amy was proving to be difficult, she was the only one capable of making him angry so fast.
She smiled at herself, glad she didn’t get the itchy feeling, instead she felt warm and comfortable. She felt his tight grip on her shoulder and as much as it made her uncomfortable she was relieved it wasn’t meant to hurt her, no longer a sign of a beating to come. She shook her head and pressed her face in his chest for a moment, she needed to get her mind out of the past and focus on her future, not everyone wanted to hurt her.
Dave looked down at her, worried, she had never done that before. He had gotten used to a quick touch on his arm, handshakes and quick pecks on the cheek and only when she felt comfortable enough to do all those. He put his thumb under her chin and pushed her head up. She looked up at him with a smile then turned to the kids’ direction. He kept his eyes on her, half listening to the blabbering of Amy’s lawyer. Like a hundred times before, he felt the urge to kiss her forehead, then her long neck, but he fought it, he didn’t want to scare her away, especially now that he knew what she went through with Ricky. If he wasn’t already dead, he would kill him himself.
“And…” he answered quietly in the receiver. He pushed her jet black hair back and over her other shoulder exposing more of her neck. It looked so tempting to him, but that little desire was cut short when he saw other scars on her hair line and behind her ear. There was one that was partially exposed by the gap her flannel, button down, white shirt made at the back. It was further down her shoulder and it had a crescent shape to it. He felt his rage build inside him, he was sure she had more scars and wondered how long she had tactfully hidden them. He now understood why she dressed in what can be considered conservative for her generation and why she had her hair styled in certain ways, she was hiding the scars.
Maria noticed how quiet and stiff Dave had gotten. She looked up at him and met his sad blue eyes. She wondered what ludicrous demands Amy was making, all she hoped for was that it didn’t involve Izzy. She put a hand around his waist and ran her thumb along his chin worried that it was about Izzy.
Dave saw that as an open invitation to get a little cuddly, he was going to get very little opportunities to be loving with her and he was going to make the most of each time. He held her closer to him, then leaned down and kissed her forehead, then turned his attention back to the phone, “That’s never going to happen, she doesn’t even know the meaning of the word mother. Which law school did you go to that taught you divorces can be appealed and renegotiated?”