Chapter Twenty-One

 

Dakota sat outside the restaurant, checking the rearview mirror. Madeline was already inside. She could see her seated at the table near the window. After last night, Dakota had more respect for Madeline. It took a tough woman to hold her family together when her husband was doing everything he could to tear it apart. The idea of monogamy was great in theory, but it seemed a lot harder to put into practice. Even her parents had died with the suspicion of infidelity in the air.

She shook the thought away. Dating Bishop was playing with fire. But while she thought she was having fun, he’d claimed her heart. He wasn’t any closer to giving up his playboy ways than she was of enduring their casual relationship.

She stepped out of the car and headed inside.

Madeline waved to her as she came through the door.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show.” Madeline slid her chair to the left to make room at the small table. The morning paper lay open in front of her.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I couldn’t get away from the bookstore. Jennifer was late this morning. Have you ordered yet?” Dakota picked up the menu.

“Of course not. I was waiting for you. I see the little affair last night made the front page. I think that’s very quaint. In La Jolla, something this small wouldn’t have been a blip on the screen of activity. I find it rather surprising that Bishop could be happy in such a small city.” She held her nose in the air like a bad smell had entered the room.

“Madeline, Bishop doesn’t live in Bristol. And Philadelphia is no hick city. I think Philly can compete with any cosmopolitan city.”

“Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to belittle the town or the affair. Everything was quite charming.”

The server arrived to take their orders, then disappeared. “I had hoped I’d get to your bookstore while I was here. I’d like to see your establishment.”

“You haven’t missed much. It’s under renovation. I’ll make sure to send you pictures of the finished project.”

She placed the napkin in her lap. “Dakota, I’m nothing if I’m not straightforward. After Adanna’s little debacle, I decided my hands-off approach is probably not the best idea.”

“Madeline, if you have something on your mind, just say it.”

She patted Dakota hands. “I thought so, dear. You seem to be quite reasonable. Level headed. You run a successful business. But honey, don’t fall in love with my son. You’ll end up hurt and bitter. Bishop can’t help himself. A gene passed on from his father, or after being raised by his father, he doesn’t stand a chance. In this case the apple doesn’t fall from the tree.”

Dakota opened her mouth to respond, but hesitated. How could she answer his mother when she had so many questions herself? “We’ve only been dating a short time. I’m not sure how I’d classify our relationship, but I think we are a long way from serious.” She shrugged.

“Oh, dear.” She looked distressed.

“Does he know we’re having this conversation?”

“Of course not. I just wish someone had told me what I was getting into when I fell head-over-heels for his father. He doesn’t think I see what’s going on. But every new piece of jewelry that he brought home meant he’d slept with another bimbo.”

Dakota pictured Bishop’s father as he groped the buttocks of the woman half his age last night. “Why do you put up with his behavior?”

“I used to think about leaving him, but when I turned fifty, I realized I didn’t want to start a new life. I have a nice home, with a clothes and shoe closet that would make other women drool. I take several wonderful trips each year and I have a core of girlfriends that are wonderful. When I need to complain, they listen. I’ve decided I’m too old to change my life now. But if I’d known in my twenties or thirties that he was going to be this kind of man, I would have taken my babies and run in the opposite direction.”

Madeline picked up her water glass and took a sip. The diamond on her ring finger could choke an elephant. After she put the glass down, she stacked her hands on the table. “I’m not proud to admit this, but…” She looked across the room. “It’s financial. I like the nice vacations, the designer clothes, and the big house. And I’m not walking away with only half.”

“Why are you telling me this? You hardly know me.”

“I see the way you look at him.” She picked up her glass again. “You love him. And Bishop might think he’s falling for you. I think that’s why he insisted we come to town. He wanted to show you off. But your relationship is still shiny and new. I’m not so sure he can hold on to that kind of passion for thirty or forty years.”

A thin film of sweat moistened Dakota’s back. She knew what she was getting into, to say anything less than that wouldn’t be fair to Bishop. But his mother’s sharp words pierced her heart like a blade.

“Ms. Contee…Madeline. Bishop has always been honest with me. We have a no-strings relationship. I’m not sure what you think you know about me, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

Madeline made a loud sucking sound with her teeth and shook her head. “If I thought Bishop or his brothers were capable of change, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I’m surprised he didn’t warn you. Out of all of my boys, he is usually the most honest one.”

Dakota sat back in her chair. She pressed her hand together in her lap to keep from fondling some miscellaneous item on the table. “One of the first things Bishop told me about himself was that he’s not into commitment.”

“You think you can change him?”

“No. I’m not ready to settle down, either. So our relationship works for us.”

“Let me tell you something about Contee men. Keep your heart tucked away. Someone should have stopped Adanna before she got carried away with Dennis. He’s not much better.”

“You don’t believe in marriage?”

She fingered the edge of the napkin. “Senior is slowing down now. Most nights I know exactly where he is. I’m not saying he isn’t a good man. He just wasn’t good husband material when he was young. He’s taking a long time to grow up. But after all these years of marriage, I don’t much care what he does anymore. He lives his life and I live mine. And I must say, I always manage to find good company when I’m in need.”

The server returned with lunch. Dakota looked at the large green apple salad and swallowed. No way could she sit through a meal.

“Darling, you look sick. Are you feeling well?” Madeline reached for her hand.

“If you could excuse me, I need to go to the ladies’ room.” Dakota pushed away from the table and grabbed her purse.

In the lounge, she sat on the sofa and buried her head in her palms. Her stomach churned like a cake mixer. She deserved exactly what she got. Mim used to say, if you play with fire, don’t cry when you get burned.

“Ma’am, are you okay? Can I get you something?”

Dakota looked up to find a server hunched over her with a paper towel in her hand. “I’m fine. Thank you.” Dakota stood and smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. After a deep breath, she slogged back to the dining room.