Legacy

Fighting back tears, she shook her head. "I’d rather stay home if you don’t mind. I’ve provided fodder for gossip too many times as it is."

He took the container from her hands, shook his head and traced the outline of her lips with his finger. "I’m sorry about that, baby. It’s nothing. A little makeup and that beautiful face will be as radiant as ever."

"I’d rather not. It takes longer to heal when it’s smothered with makeup. Take Trey out to eat if you would like. Tara is going to the mall with Natalie. I have a lot of clothes to fold and I would like to rearrange the drawers in our bathroom." She prayed he would forego his lame attempts to apologize and leave her to her misery.

"Baby, I’m sorry. How many times do you want me to say it? Surely you can understand how I felt, rushing home a day early to be with you and the kids, and find you and another man running down my son. He had no right coming in my home while I was gone and you had no right letting him. I’ve never liked that man! I see the way he looks at you – leering, his slimy little tongue hanging out."

"He’s my son too, and I didn’t think I could postpone discussing Trey’s behavior and failing grades until you were available. What should I have done? Ask Mr. Simpson to send smoke signals from across the street? As far as you not liking him, you don’t like anyone who talks to me – man or woman."

"Look! I don’t want to go over this again. You know how much I love you. Too much! I’ve given you everything a woman could want – magnificent home, luxury cars, and closets filled with beautiful clothes and expensive jewelry. Why would I not get angry when I come home and find another man drooling over my wife?"

She tried to turn away but he was not finished.

"I’m not a deadbeat father; I’m involved in my children’s lives and I don’t appreciate that bastard coming here, unannounced, when I’m gone. As far as Trey is concerned, he’s just a normal growing young man – like his daddy was. He’ll get it all together."

"How can you say that Manny? He failed two classes and has to go to summer school. He talks back to the teacher and refuses to complete assignments. The ones he does turn in are late, which gives him an automatic F. You have got to stop pretending nothing is wrong. Trey is a troubled young man."

Her hand went to her face. "And why wouldn’t he be? Our children have witnessed so many episodes of your uncontrollable temper, it’s surprising that they haven’t run away by now, especially Trey. Can’t you see how much this upsets him?"

"Then we won’t tell him about it. There’s nothing wrong with Trey. You and that ass want to make him out to be some delinquent and he’s not." Coming closer, he noticed her tears and his voice softened. "Baby, you have to stop getting upset over nothing. Trey will be fine; I’ll talk to him as soon as he comes home. I don’t want to see that look on your face. I should go find that know-it-all bastard and kick his ass."

"I doubt that Mr. Simpson would allow you to slap him around the way you enjoy doing me." There was no bitterness in her voice, just hopelessness and despair.

"You talk like I beat you up or something, Deanne. I’m protecting what’s mine." He caressed her body. "You’re the most beautiful woman in this town and you’re mine.