Chapter Thirty-Three

 

Melissa woke with the sun rise. All night, the only words playing in her ears like a broken record were, “I don’t want a divorce.”

What was she supposed to do with his declaration? It was like selecting the winning lottery numbers after they were displayed on television. She had no magic wand to erase their past, or to turn this pumpkin into a fairy tale life.

She crawled out of bed and sat on the edge. With her stomach growling, she couldn’t hide in her bedroom all day. She stepped out onto the private balcony. The view alone was worth the hefty price she’d paid, but she loved the big wicker chaise that allowed her to hide from the world for just a few moments. She stretched out and allowed the sun to kiss her skin long enough to warm her.

The bang on her bedroom door made her jump.

“Darius?”

“Come on out, I’m taking you to breakfast.”

She wasn’t certain breakfast was a good idea but twenty minutes later, she was dressed and ready to go. Darius wore a loose T-shirt over his jeans. There was just enough five-o-clock shadow on his face to give him a bad-boy quality. With his hat and sunglasses in place, his disguise was complete.

“I’ve already walked the dog, so let’s head out.” Darius opened the door for her. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m hungry all the time. If this keeps up for three more months, we’ll have to take out a loan to feed me.”

“I’ve got you covered.”

They walked four blocks and turned onto South Street. “We’re almost there. This little diner came highly recommended. I hear they have excellent pancakes and fried chicken.”

“Can I get them both?”

Darius stopped in front of a plain storefront that didn’t catch her attention. “You can have whatever you want. I want my baby’s mommy to be happy.”

The smell of fresh baked bread greeted them as they walked inside. A small bakery showcase displayed the biggest muffins she’d ever seen, along with lemon-frosted pound cake. She swallowed and tried to decide which one she was going to devour after breakfast.

When the server arrived at the table, Darius said, “Help us out, man. This woman is going to take a bite out of me if we don’t get her fed right away.”

After placing their order, she sipped water to fill the gnawing until something more substantial arrived. “Asa says what I’m feeling is normal. I thought I was trying to make up for those first few months when I hardly ate anything.”

“From now on, I’ll make sure we have something at home for you to munch on so you won’t drool or snap at me. Are you going to pretend you didn’t hear what I said last night?”

She sucked in a big gulp of air. “We promised to be honest with each other last night, and I wanted to think about my response before I answered.”

“Maybe your most honest response would have been the one you gave me last night. Now, you’ve had an opportunity to script the good answer.”

She wove her fingers together and placed them on the table. “There are things we want in life and there are things we shouldn’t have. Discerning the difference is sometimes hard.”

The server returned and placed two plates of pancakes on the table and two additional plates of bacon, eggs, and potatoes.

“This is enough food to feed a small army.” Melissa picked up her fork and cut into the golden brown stack without syrup.

Half way through the meal Darius returned to his questions. “Melissa, we’re not discussing candy or shoes. We’re talking about our marriage. You can’t lump everything together and pretend they are in the same category.”

“How many chances do we give our relationship before we realize we can’t get it to bend in a direction that works for both of us?” She reached for a strip of bacon and bit off a large piece.

“We keep trying. There’s no giving up.” He pushed his fork into his over-easy eggs, letting the yoke flow onto the plate.

From her peripheral vision, she saw a woman approaching their table. Other couples got the opportunity to enjoy a simple meal without interruption. Seldom did she and Darius enjoy the same luxury. If they wanted to discuss the state of their future, they should have eaten at home.

“Excuse me. Can I get a picture with you, Darius? I’ve got to be your biggest fan here in Philly.” The woman, dressed in a green shirt and matching pants, stood at their table resembling a string bean. Melissa took another stab at her pancakes. Darius never ignored his fans, so she pushed a huge forkful of food into her mouth.

“Maybe, after we’ve finished our meal.” His tone was casual, but Melissa could detect a bit of annoyance. He turned his attention back to Melissa before the fan had crossed the room.

“Did I just see what I thought I saw? I don’t believe it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you refuse an autograph.”

“I’m enjoying breakfast with my wife.”

“My company has never stopped you before.”

“People can change. Even me, Melissa. Now you know why I don’t want to give up.”

“I know, I just never thought I’d live to see such a miracle. If I could take this little moment and multiply it a thousand times, I could have been a happy wife. But I knew better.”

“We’ve both made mistakes. You kept a secret that tore me apart.”

She finished her breakfast, and for the first time in days, she felt satisfied. “I know my doctor will fuss if I put on too much weight, but I really must have a slice of frosted pound cake. I swear it’s been taunting me since I walked in here.”

Within an instant, the server placed the cake in front of her. Darius helped her finish off the slab, paid the bill, and escorted her out. He pulled his baseball cap down and put on his shades.

“You’re really not going to sign an autograph for your fan?”

“I paid her check and autographed the back. The server will give it to her.” He placed his hand on her back and maneuvered her through a crowded crosswalk. “Don’t sound so surprised. I’m always nice.”

“I’ve got a gap in our marriage that says otherwise.”