The Husband Diet, page 24
Warren gave his father a look of hatred mixed with fear, scooped Maddy up into his strong arms and headed upstairs. After a moment, I heard a chair dragged across the floor and presumably propped up against the door knob. I breathed a silent prayer of thanks. As long as they were safe, nothing else scared me.
I bunched my fists. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing, coming into my home and scaring the kids? You left us, remember?’ I cried, fighting back the tears. ‘What the hell do you want from me now?’
‘I want you back.’
Tears were streaming down his cheeks too, and he was babbling incoherently, but I had no pity for him. In fact, I felt nothing for this man whom I’d once loved.
‘You don’t want me, Ira. Nor do you care about the children. You just want the cushy life you led in this home while you basked in the warmth of our love, without ever giving any back.’
He raised his bat, his eyes huge. ‘This is my house, too, and I’m coming back!’
‘And you’re trying to convince me by threatening us with a baseball bat?’ I spat.
‘I’m not threatening you with anything,’ he boomed. ‘I just want you back.’
‘But I don’t want you,’ I cried. ‘I don’t love you anymore. Now get out – you’re terrifying my children!’
‘Our children!’ he screamed, and swiped the photos off the mantelpiece with one sweep of the bat. ‘They’re mine, too!’
I screamed. An angry scream. ‘What are you doing? Stop it!’
‘I don’t want a divorce,’ he bawled.
‘Too late!’ I bawled in turn. ‘I loved you for years, Ira. For both of us. I can’t do that anymore,’ I cried.
In response, he swung the bat out again, knocking the lamp off the side table. I protected my face as the shards flew around my head. This was not the way I’d envisaged it. In my mind, I’d always been the one to attack. I’d always been the one killing him. How ironic that it would be him to have the violent reaction. And now, he was advancing on me, his eyes burning with something I’d never seen before, as if he’d completely lost all connection with reality.
Another set of baubles flew off the other side table, its pieces exploding even closer to me. I stepped away, looking around for an escape, or a weapon, but he was now standing between me and the kitchen, where I kept my knives. Not that I’d really use it on him to hurt him, unless he headed upstairs for the kids.
As I was trying to figure how to get between him and the staircase leading upstairs to the kids if he turned that way, a loud bang shook the house. I whirled around to see Julian’s face in the front door window.
‘Erica!’ he yelled, pounding on the wood.
I turned as Ira neared me, his eyes unfocused.
Julian punched a fist through the front door window and stuck his arm in to unlock the door. Once inside, he took in the smashed lamp and looked at me, paling instantly.
‘Are you OK?’ he demanded, and I nodded.
Ira whirled around, his wild eyes focusing on Julian, who raised his hands.
‘Mr. Lowenstein – Ira,’ Julian continued. ‘Please put that down. You’re scaring everybody.’
‘You!’ Ira spat, coming forward. ‘Baseball champion!’
‘Please, Mr. Lowenstein, before somebody gets hurt.’
‘You want my family? Come and get it!’ And then he dropped the bat, throwing himself on Julian, who easily wrestled him to the ground.
Julian didn’t look at me, but his voice was low. ‘Erica, get me some duct tape. The police are on their way.’
And as if on cue, there was a loud bellow from the front door. ‘Everybody, hands up!’ And only then did I see the blue, white and red lights of the police car swirling around the living room walls like a giant psychedelic star-spangled banner.
To an outsider, Julian would still have seemed the aggressor, crouching down to keep Ira still, huge and panting, as Ira crouched in the corner, sniveling.
‘You alright, ma’am?’ asked one of the agents.
Ira let himself be handcuffed and taken to the car, his eyes burning through me. I’d never forget the sheer hatred in his eyes. It was much more intense than all my murder fantasies put together.
‘Ma’am, you need to come down to the station with us.’
I had no choice but to leave the kids with my neighbor, Mrs. Oldman, who shuffled them in through her front door, as I called my parents. Who called my lawyer.
Who found out that Ira was being hunted down by the IRS, Inland Revenue Service. The bastard wanted to get back with me to minimize the chances of my testifying against him. Some love.
I refused to press charges against Ira. But I had a restraint order issued against him.
At the station, Julian held my hand. Neither of us spoke. It was enough just to have him near me.
*
In three hours, we were back home. Paul opened the door, pale and shaken as he opened his arms for us. My family had come and gone, offering to stay the night, and even Mrs. Oldman next door offered to keep the kids overnight, but I refused. I needed to keep things as normal as possible.
The broken lamp and pictures had been removed. Maddy and Warren, who were still shaking under the blanket I’d put over us, refused to go upstairs to bed lest their father return to finish us all off.
So Julian temporarily patched up the window he’d broken earlier and Paul cooked us a meal, while I lay on the sofa with Maddy in my lap and an arm around a still trembling Warren. I only hoped it was from shock and not rage. Shock subsides in time, while rage only grows like a well-fed fire.
‘You did the right thing, calling Mr. Foxham,’ I whispered as I kissed the top of his head, and he nodded against my chest, snuggling up to me like when he was little, only now his arms rested around me protectively.
‘He was going to kill you, Mom.’
‘Oh, honey, Daddy would never hurt us,’ I said. ‘He’s just not well at the moment, but he’ll get better soon, you’ll see.’ Ira needed both financial and psychological help.
‘Good thing Julian came,’ Warren said.
I wondered fleetingly when Warren had started calling his principal by his first name.
‘Julian’s cool,’ Warren whispered.
And as if summoned, Julian and Paul appeared with steaming trays of spaghetti and meatballs, grilled vegetables and cake. Plus a glass of red wine for me.
As I watched, Julian cut up Maddy’s spaghetti for her with a spoon, just the way she liked it. How did he know? Maddy took her bowl and he tickled her until she giggled.
Julian had managed to reach their hearts in no time, so starved were they for a father figure. Julian was the alpha male. The protector. He’d sure won me over. Not only was he kind and considerate, but he was also warrior-like. Which was so, so sexy.
‘I always knew Ira was a shit,’ Paul whispered to Julian, who tilted his head to listen and nod.
I glared at them and jerked my head toward the kids.
‘As if they didn’t know,’ Paul said and got to his feet. ‘Sunshine, you’re in good hands here. Get some sleep – preferably in this gorgeous man’s arms, huh?’ he whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. ‘I’ll call you in the morning.’
Julian and Paul swatted each other across the back like gorillas and nodded, then Paul headed for the door.
Sitting on the sofa with my children, I watched Julian’s back as he whispered something else to Paul. It was probably about Ira, but now I didn’t have to worry anymore. For tonight at least, there was someone taking care of me. I wanted to pull Julian to me and feel the stubble of his cheek against my face again. To be with him all the time.
‘Hey, Warren,’ Julian said as he came back into the living room. ‘You were very brave today. You’re a real champ, you know that? Want to do some throws tomorrow?’
‘Sure,’ Warren said, all proud of himself. And then added, ‘Can you stay the night? Please?’
‘Aw, champ, I don’t think—’ Julian began, and I said, ‘Stay, Julian.’
I didn’t care what people thought. From now on, I’d do things my way and not worry about others. This was our life now.
‘You’re sure?’ Julian asked dubiously.
‘We’d be happy to have you.’
‘In that case, I’ll be happy to stay.’
‘Cool.’ And with that, Warren, exhausted from all the emotion but knowing he was safe, was asleep on the sofa within minutes.
Julian grinned.
As we lay sprawled with my children between us, I listened to their breathing.
‘You hanging in there?’ Julian whispered, placing a finger under my chin to look into my eyes.
The unexpected contact made me shiver and I nodded.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered back, my eyes never leaving his face.
His own were solemn and dark in the evening glow of the fire he’d built. In our house it was always me who made the fire. Ira had never stuck around long enough to enjoy its warmth and now the flames seemed to be caressing me.
‘Thank you – for everything you’ve done for us.’
‘I want to do more,’ Julian whispered back.
I slowly eased myself out of the tangle of my kids and then Julian brought Warren upstairs while I placed Maddy in her bed, my love fiercely gushing out of every pore. I’d kill anyone who hurt them.
I sat there for a few moments until Julian came back from Warren’s bedroom, then I crept downstairs into the kitchen and away from Julian. My face was hot and I was trembling. Julian’s presence in the house was reassuring me, but his nearness was overwhelming. I felt drawn to him like no one ever before. I wanted to reach out and touch him, smell the shampoo scent of his hair, touch the tautness of his skin. I wanted him to put his arms around me and tell me everything was going to be alright, because he was here.
There was no denying it. I wanted him to be my man for good. I wanted him to be part of my Tuscan dream.
Julian took my empty mug from my fingers and set it on the counter and before I knew what was happening, he pulled me into his arms. I felt the stubble of his face against my cheek, and my body and soul filled with so much longing, I moaned. He pulled me closer and I wrapped my arms around him, my hands climbing up his back, gripping his shoulder blades. The feel of his strong, lean frame against mine was so invigorating, and it scared me, the way my body reacted. Like never before.
He stroked the back of my head and neck, and I could hear his breathing, feel the warmth of it against the side of my face.
‘You’re so brave, Erica,’ he whispered, his voice deep, hoarse. Breathless, almost.
‘What are you talking about? I’m a total loser. Can’t you see the mess my life is?’
He put his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me in surprise. ‘No. I see a strong woman whose kids love her to pieces because she’s a wonderful mother,’ he said softly. ‘I see a kick-ass manager who makes things work. And a sexy, intelligent woman. And the way you faced Ira – I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t have cowered in a corner, but you… you are amazing and I…’ Then he went silent, busying himself with our coffees.
I rubbed my face against his chest and he squeezed my shoulders, his eyes hooded, then turned to the coffees again. I had to hand it to him. He was a real gentleman. I knew he wanted to take this further, but he respected the situation I was in. Later, once we were all settled, I’d show him exactly how grateful I was.
‘You’re the amazing one,’ I said finally. ‘And so was your meal. You and Paul could rival Le Tre Donne.’
‘You’re my teacher. You know, we should ditch our jobs and open an Italian restaurant somewhere,’ he whispered, and I felt my cheeks go hot.
Now would have been the perfect time to investigate.
The coffeemaker pinged and he poured me a cup.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered as he handed me a full mug. ‘What you did today – you saved our lives. Ira could have seriously hurt you as well.’
‘Well, he didn’t, and you won’t have to be afraid anymore. Now, you’re free of him.’
Free. I’d never be totally free until I landed on Italian soil. And until I could confess my Italian desires to Julian.
34
Carpe Diem
Morning caught me unprepared. I opened my eyes to find myself on the sofa – in Julian’s arms under a throw, his lips against my temple, his body hot against mine. Would I never tire of this man?
‘Morning,’ he murmured, his voice languid, caressing me just as languidly, and just like that, I wanted him, right here, right now.
Here was our chance. It was early and all was quiet. I shifted so I was straddling him. Ooh, that felt nice.
‘Morning, your highness,’ I whispered with a giggle. ‘Or should I say your hardness?’
‘Kids are fast asleep,’ he informed me, kissing my lips. ‘Come here,’ he rasped as he grabbed my hips and placed me on his…
‘Ah…’ I moaned. ‘That’s… that’s good…’
‘Perfect fit,’ he moaned back as he removed our clothes under the throw, his mouth bending to my bare breasts, and I gripped his shoulders.
And we took each other home in record time. Fast (that was a first), hard, urgent. I loved it. I loved any way we did it.
‘Mommy?’ came Maddy’s voice from somewhere at the back of my consciousness.
I turned and threw on my jeans and T-shirt before she made it downstairs. That had been close. The kid was already scarred for life – the last thing she needed to see was her mommy buck naked lying on the sofa with her principal.
‘Yes, sweetie?’ I whispered.
‘Warren’s wet his bed,’ she whispered back.
‘That’s OK, sweetie. You go back to your room and get dressed before breakfast, OK?’
‘OK,’ she said, obeying.
I crept up into Warren’s room and halted on the threshold. He’d already removed the sheets, his eyes lowered.
‘Hey, Warren, I’m changing the bed sheets today. I’ve already got mine and Maddy’s. Can I have yours, too?’
He nodded, still not looking at me. I felt for the little fella.
Julian appeared at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed. ‘Hey, champ, want to come down and shoot a few hoops before breakfast?’
Warren shot to his feet gratefully. ‘Coming,’ he called, then turned to me, his eyes pleading. ‘Please don’t tell him.’
I crossed my heart and took the sheets from him.
‘Thanks, Mom.’
I lingered, looking out his window as he reached Julian outside. I watched them play. I knew he’d be fine. Thanks to some time with a fine man.
After the game, I invited Julian to stay for lunch.
‘What did you say to him?’ I asked when we were alone.
‘That it happened to me, too.’
‘Did it really, or were you just trying to make him feel better?’
‘I wish. It happened when I was thirteen. I’d just discovered I’d been adopted.’
‘Oh, right.’
‘It’s no big deal,’ Julian said. ‘My adoptive parents have always loved me like their own.’
‘As if anyone could not love you,’ I whispered, and he grinned.
‘Plus, I have you – and you’re all that a bloke could ever want.’
Thinking that someone had abandoned him only made me realize how strong Julian was and how much more I still needed to learn about this magnificent man.
*
I don’t know when I fell asleep again, but the next thing I was aware of was the last rays of the day streaming across my face and the joyous laughter of the kids. I’d never slept for so long in my life.
I rubbed my face and padded into the kitchen, where I peered out the window over my (still flourishing, by the way) succulents. There, in the back garden, Julian and Warren were rolling around in the sandpit, pure glee on their faces, while Maddy was perched daintily on the edge, clapping her hands in delight.
As I watched, Julian stood up, and tons of sand spilled from his pockets and pant legs.
I wiped the sleep out of my eyes and the cobwebs out of my brain, the night before coming back to me with a vengeance, with the horror of Ira’s violence, the hatred in his eyes as he begged me to take him back. It hadn’t been a bad dream, but it still didn’t make sense. Until I factored in the money aspect. He was not only hoping to bring me back round to him, but also banking on squeezing some more dough out of me.
In all probability, Ira’s company really was sinking, only he gave priority to Maxine’s needs. Whenever I’d asked him about Tech.Com, he’d sighed and said, ‘I’ll take care of it.’ Which he hadn’t, obviously. Now, I understood what had made him crack – not the fact that he missed us, but that he needed money and needed it fast. You don’t screw around with the IRS.
So yes, it was really time to go away. I’d sell the house and invest in a smaller farmhouse I could afford, and do it up little by little. There was no way Ira would get joint custody now and in a sense, I was doing him a favor. He’d never really wanted the burden of having children. I wrapped my sweater around me. Outside it was still cold, but it was nothing compared to the icy fingers gripping my heart. Now, I had to look out for the light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing else mattered.
*
That night after Julian left, I couldn’t fall asleep, so I dialed Paul’s cellphone.
‘Sunshine,’ Paul said softly, ‘things aren’t going to get better if you stay up all night.’
‘I know, but everything is such a mess,’ I sobbed, then sniffed. ‘How did you know it was me?’
‘Because you’re the only fool who would be up at this ungodly hour? Besides, I have caller ID, silly, remember?’
‘Right,’ I said as I dashed the back of my hand into my eye. ‘I forgot.’
‘So, what’s up?’
‘I’m so, so tired of all this. I just want to go now. I’m still looking for a place in Tuscany, possibly near your place.’
‘Tell you what. I’ll ring up my good friend Roberto Luzzi again and give him a kick up the ass, OK?’
I swallowed. ‘OK. Nothing too expensive. I don’t have a big budget.’
