Chapter Forty Two
Michael tapped Maria on her shoulder to wake her, “Mama, wake up I need to get to school.”
Maria turned to face him, “One more minute.” she mumbled, then pulled the cover over her head.
“No mama now!” he shook her, “Dave, tell her to wake up.” Maria pulled the cover off and sat up straight, fully awake. She finally realized where she was and she got pensive about Michael’s reaction, “Never mind, she’s up.” Michael knelt on the bed and kissed her nose before he turned to Dave, “So can I come for lunch today?”
“Good morning Maria.” Dave laughed when he saw the surprised look on her face. He put Izzy down on the bed and walked to the mirror to tie his tie, “You can’t come to my office during the day anymore, you have school, and you have new friends you can have lunch with.”
Maria watched the two converse casually, like there wasn’t a huge pink elephant in the room. She felt uncomfortable and mortified having been caught by Michael in a man’s bed. She expected him to ask her a million questions, she would most definitely turn red trying to answer, but Michael completely ignored her. Izzy crawled to her and hoisted herself up against Maria. She held her face in between her little hands, kissed her nose, then settled on her lap, pulling the heavy covers over her legs. Maria smiled, she really loved Izzy and she was glad Michael loved her as well, she wondered what else he had taught her.
“Okay, but I’m coming on Saturday.” Michael insisted, “I don’t like missing lunch with you.”
“Sure, we’ll spend the whole day together, give your mom a break.” Dave hoisted Michael then Izzy off the bed, “Take her downstairs and get ready for school, we’ll be right down.”
“Okay, mama hurry up.” Michael took Izzy’s hand and led her out the room.
“Bye.” Izzy sang out as she waved and walked out behind Michael.
Maria waved back until the door closed behind them, then she jumped off the bed completely freaked out, “Why did you let them in before I had a chance to get out of bed?” Maria half yelled.
“You looked peaceful, it would have been a crime to wake you up.” he answered her calmly, watching her pace the room fretting. “Besides, the kids are fed, dressed and ready to leave.”
“That is not the point, Michael caught me in your bed.” she sat on the king size bed and held her head in her hands, “What he must be thinking.” she moaned.
Dave chuckled, “For a five year old, a lot.” he picked up his jacket from the mini sofa.
Her head jerked up, “What do you mean?” She stood up and moved to him, “He asked you what I was doing in your bed didn’t he?” she asked worried. This was one of the times she wished she had a normal five year old.
“Yes.” he pulled his jacket on and straightened out his shirt.
“Well, are you waiting for a bell? Spill!”
Dave laughed as he straightened out her tussled hair with his fingers, “I told him mommy slept in my bed because I was afraid of the dark.”
“He’s four, not stupid. What did you really tell him?”
“That we only slept in the same bed to keep each other company and nothing else happened.”
“That’s it?” Maria asked perplexed. She knew her son and she was sure there must have been more.
“He was glad that you were my girlfriend now.” Dave lied. He didn’t want Maria to start her day with a cloud hanging over her head, “And I asked him to call me Dave on occasion just to keep you comfortable.”
Maria felt guilty, she didn’t want this, well she did, but it didn’t keep her from feeling guilty, “I don’t want you and Michael to change your relationship just because it will make me more at ease.”
Dave placed his palm on her cheek, “We aren’t changing anything. We, yes Michael and I agreed it would be better this way, until we make it official.” He kissed her forehead and walked to the door.
“Wait what?” Maria turned to him confused, “What do you mean official, and what other plans have you and Michael made?”
“Get dressed, Michael needs to be at school in an hour.” He closed the door behind him, laughing.
Maria knew Dave always needed to have control and take charge of every single detail, but she wished he would have the conversations with her and not Michael. She was fine with him sometimes making the decisions for all of them, because so far he’s been doing all the heavy lifting, but she wished she’d have a stronger input in the decisions. Maria went to her room and got ready, a little irked at another controlled life she had gotten herself into, she wasn’t battered into it which was great, but it dawned on her, she is a housewife, she wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.
She dropped off Michael at school then went to work early. Izzy was taking a nap in Rose’s office, with a baby monitor tucked close to her head and the receiver strapped to Maria’s apron. She and Jane weren’t friendly anymore, the little talking they did, had become none existent. Maria didn’t mind let alone care, but she wished Jane wouldn’t talk behind her back. Maria didn’t care to find out what she was saying, but the cooks and the new blond waitress kept glaring at her. If she didn’t have to pay some of Michael’s tuition she would have gladly quit and found another job, if Dave let her. He liked having them close by and would prefer if she stayed at home than work far from him. Maria served one more table before she left for lunch.
“Paula.” Maria turned to Jane’s annoyed voice. She hadn’t bothered to tell Jane her real name, because she didn’t see a reason to, “Those guys want you to serve them.” She walked past Maria, bumping her in the process.
Maria wanted to pull her back by her hair, but she held back, she still had the rest of the afternoon with her, she wanted it to be peaceful. She picked up her notebook from the counter and walked to the table filled with five high school looking boys, “Hi and welcome to Rose’s, I’ll take your order.” she said, with fake cheer and a pasted smile on her face.
The brunette boy sitting close to her leaned forward, looked up at her with a wide grin, “What are your specials?”
Maria looked down at him with a raised eyebrow. She picked up the menu from the table and handed it to him, “Go through this, and once you make up your mind holler.” She turned to leave, but a tight hand clasped around her wrist and pulled her back.
“What he wants isn’t on the menu.” the blond boy hissed out, as he stood up and pulled her against him.
Maria could feel her anxiety rise as the familiar fear took hold of her, “Let go of me.” she struggled the words out. She was going to fight the fear, and shut off that part of her mind and pray that her growing strength would back her up now.
“Only if you promise to give me what I want.” the brunette spoke, looking up at them with the same grin on his face.
“What do you want?” Maria asked, controlling her voice. She looked down at the brunette, she couldn’t look at her captive, if she was going to keep it together and concentrated on slowing down her heart beat.
“Your phone number first.” he said, trailing down her arm with his finger tips. Maria fought the urge to pull away and tried to stay strong, but it was difficult to ignore how irate his touch made her skin feel.
The blond pushed the wrist he held behind her back and freeing his other hand, he griped her chin with it, “Then maybe a little of what you give Greer.” he hissed out in her ear. That was it, the last straw that broke her courage.
Maria could feel his hot breath in her ear, it made her even more scared thinking of all the ways she knew he could hurt her. She shut her eyes tight and tried not to break into a hysterical cry and waited for her weak, agonizing moment to pass, they were bound to stop tormenting her sometime. She could already feel her whole body itch with disgust at how their bodies touched and she hated his voice and breathe in her ear.
“She does look appetizing.” her captive spoke in her ear. He touched his cheek against hers, then put his tongue in her ear. Maria made a muffled scream, she bit her lips shut to keep from crying out, but there was nothing she could do about the hot tears running down her cheeks.
“You are in the wrong place, what you’re looking for is the strip club down town.” Carol’s voice echoed in the cafe. Maria almost cried out in relief when the boy let go of her chin and put a gap in between them. She turned and looked at Carol, very close to tears. Carol gave her a reassuring smile before she looked past them, “Brian, Amy has told you a lot about her ex-husband. What do you think he would do to you if he found out what you are doing to his girlfriend?” she asked, with a menacing voice.
Maria turned her head to the boy she was addressing, the fearful look on his face spoke volumes. In a second he was off his chair and out the door. His companions looked at each other before they followed him. Maria sank into the chair, biting back the sobs that were threatening to burst out. She thought she’d grown strong enough to stand up for herself, but she was very wrong.
Carol sat next to her and placed a hand on Maria’s shoulder, which she immediately brushed off, “It’s okay, you’re fine.” Carol spoke softly.
“No I’m not, I’m never going to be fine.” she said, with a quivering voice. She stood up and disappeared into the kitchen then came back with Izzy in her arms.
“Dave’s lunch is at the counter, please take Izzy to him.” She pulled off her apron and ran out the door.
Carol stared after her, confused. She walked to the counter and picked up Dave’s lunch, imagining how loud the explosion was going to be, “Amy, you’ve really done it this time.”