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Double dates were awkward even when couples were friends, or the couple were more or less equal. Paul and I were a new couple while Mary Lou and Greg—well, that’s harder to define but they had a lot more drama.
Paul was a psychiatrist, so nothing really fazed him, but that didn’t mean these two couldn’t scare him away.
I’d filled the odd silence talking about Lester and my suggestion that Matt and Gunnar take a trip. Mary Lou went on about Florida.
“I think I’d love to go to Disney World for my next honeymoon. I never got to go as a child,” Mary Lou said.
“Me either. Not sure I’d enjoy it the same now.” I tried to think of a way to steer talk away from marriage and honeymoons. I didn’t need Paul freaking out about that, either. No rush here.
“How is the rehab facility going?” Greg asked.
Paul nodded. “Well. We’ve staffed up. Brody is a good office manager. We have a wait list. But the trick is we need a sober living facility to help the patients once they’re detoxed and completed the base treatment. A step between full treatment and normal life.”
“A halfway house,” Greg said.
“Sort of. Some structure and accountability but more freedom and chances to face their temptations and history. Ideally, we’d own one of those as well.” Paul shrugged to me.
“I agree, but one step at a time,” I replied.
“Mrs. Weathers’ grant to the charity should help,” Greg said.
“I thought I told you,” Mary Lou pouted. “Lance is challenging the will and the divorce. John is telling him it’s no use as far as the will but he’s going to make it hard on everyone. Matt can’t sell the mansion yet.”
I wasn’t in the mood for Lance bashing. “I’m holding that money separately until the drama is done. That could fund the sober living unit and so much more but we’re not rushing into this.”
“Lance is hurting people because his pride is hurt. John needs to talk to him. Matt is too nice,” Mary Lou snarked.
“Matt has his own issues. John is moving on. You need to the let courts do their job and not stress,” Greg said.
“I agree. Mary Lou, you’ve been through a lot and there is no rush to make a lot of decisions. Keep yourself busy and heal. Big changes can happen slowly over time.” I sipped my water.
Mary Lou took a long drink of her wine. “You and Paul work together and are starting a big new charity project. I could warn you off of that.”
I knew what she meant and I wasn’t going to feed her defensiveness.
“I think we’re both mature enough to work together even if things don’t progress personally,” Paul said diplomatically.
“Don’t do that. Don’t go all high and mighty. I’ve seen that enough. Deanna might live in a mansion but she’s not a high-class snob,” Mary Lou shot back.
That was enough. I put my hand on Paul’s knee subtly under the table to keep him from engaging. “Mary Lou, I can manage my own situations. I’m no snob but good manners aren’t about class. Just because people don’t want to share all their personal gossip or tidbits with everyone doesn’t mean they are unemotional or closed off.”
“Lance,” she said.
“I know. I’m sorry your marriage was so hard, and Lance was a barbarian throwback to men from days before women could even vote, but not all men are like that. Heck, his own brothers aren’t. You’re hurting but you can’t take it out on everyone,” I said softly.
“Lance is here.” She glared at me and looked back to the door.
Lance was, in fact, stomping through the fancy restaurant headed right for us.
Greg stood up as though he’d defend Mary Lou.
“Sit down,” I hissed at Greg.
A staff member was right behind Lance trying to see what he wanted. Greg didn’t sit and Paul set his napkin on the table.
“No, don’t. It’s not worth it,” I whispered to Paul.
Paul was tall with brown hair and a calm approach. He was Cajun as well, on his father’s side. With a last name like LeBlanc, the Cajun was obvious. His mother’s side was Jewish but I didn’t know their origins country-wise. I was hoping whatever it was tempered the hot-bloodedness Cajuns were famous for.
I didn’t want to screw up this relationship with my friend drama.
“I’ve already been replaced, I see!” Lance shouted.
“You want to make a scene?” I asked him.
“I tried, Deanna. I really tried to be civil and keep this quiet. But Mary Lou taking up with him again so soon? I know she’s not in her own room in your house,” Lance raged.
“It’s my life and I want it back.” Mary Lou shot out of her chair and threw a wine glass as Lance.
Paul dodged the wine glass—Mary Lou was no baseball player.
“Sir, please,” our waiter tried to intervene.
Lance took a picture of our group around table. “You never stopped sleeping with him. You get nothing. Cheating wives don’t get to walk away with diamonds and my family’s money.”
“That’s a lie,” Greg said.
“Prove it,” Lance challenged.
“Sir, we’ll have to call security,” the manager approached.
“I’m leaving. Just gathering evidence personally.” Lance stormed off.
The wait staff cleaned up the spilt wine and glass as our food arrived.
“Personally? I’d expect he’s having you followed,” Paul said.
Mary Lou frowned. “What I do now doesn’t matter.”
“It’s Lance. He probably has a team of PIs investigating you—past and present. Be prepared,” I said.
“No more Lance talk.” She leaned over and kissed Greg.
Paul and I shared a look. He got a lot of boyfriend points for enduring this evening.
The next day, things felt almost normal once everyone was off to work. Ivy and Brody plus Matt and Mary Lou were out. Gunnar was going over things with the new housekeeper guy.
Greg poured himself a third cup of coffee.
“Things okay?” I asked.
“I don’t want to discuss Mary Lou,” he said.
“Fine. How was the church?” I switched topics.
“Unpleasant. Like a time warp. They claim to be Bible-based but they’re selecting teachings that suit their purpose. Women in skirts, no makeup, and long hair. Women must be subordinate.” He gave me a pained look. He knew I’d hate it.
“Lovely. Like those polygamists out west?” I asked.
“Sort of, but no multiple wives or any of that. Feels really out of place in modern times. I can see spare the rod and spoil the child going over well.” Greg shook his head.
“Any evidence of abuse in the open?”
“No. Pastor Cole was welcoming but not detailed. They are on the outskirts of New Orleans. Most of the parishioners are outside of the city in a small town. I think they’re trying to win converts. Save the souls of the heathens in the city.” He downed his coffee.
“You okay?”
He sighed. “Yes. I’ll go on Sunday and see what it’s like.”
“I can go, too,” I offered.
He laughed. “No, you’d lose your temper or catch on fire. Gunnar was trying to play it straight and failing. I’ll take Mary Lou, she can fake it.”
“Good. Now when I asked if you were okay—I meant Mary Lou. Lance’s crashing the date was awful. He’s not going to let up.” Lance would fit in at this weird little church.
“She’s upset by Lance. He is going to make her life hell.” Greg paced the kitchen.
“And yours. I’m not telling you what to do but cooling it until she’s divorced might not be the worst thing,” I suggested.
“Mary Lou won’t see it that way,” Greg replied.
“What about you?” I pressed.
“She’s vulnerable. We have a history.” Greg poured another cup of coffee.
“You’re going to get a caffeine headache,” I warned.
“I know. I just can’t—I feel like part of this is my fault. Their marriage breaking up is a shock,” he said.
“No, it’s not. Mrs. Weathers died. It had nothing to do with you. I’m not trying to hurt you but Mary Lou has plenty of money and friends. She can live without a boyfriend for a few months,” I said.
“I had a hand in damaging their marriage. I won’t let myself off the hook for that,” he said.
“Ugh, go to confession. That much Catholic guilt is only hurting you. If you and Mary Lou don’t work, don’t torture yourself. Let the guilt go and move on. She’ll live,” I said.
He sighed. “Not to be mean but you need to mind your own business.”
I held up my hands. “Fair enough. I’m having lunch alone with Paul to try and make it up to him. Double dates might be a bad idea for Mary Lou. She’s a bit bitter.”
“Paul handled himself well. Mary Lou is very fragile and upset lately. She tries to keep it normal and put a smile on her face but Lance isn’t helping.” He dumped out his coffee. “I’m going to research the pastor and his family.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you need backup. I can be polite,” I said.
“This church isn’t about polite. It’d piss off most people—at least those who think women are capable of more than cooking, cleaning, and childrearing.” Greg smiled painfully.
“Yeah, that would be bad,” I admitted. “I’m going to go and forget that church exists right now.”
“Smart move. But we can’t report them over antiquated philosophies. Freedom of religion,” he pointed out.
“I know. But if people are leaving because of abuse, some are stuck there. We need to investigate it properly,” I countered.
“I’ll update Matt. Make sure he jumps in when he thinks it’s necessary.” Greg nodded.
“Sounds good. I’m going to run some errands before lunch.” I put my coffee mug in the sink and headed for the door.
“Have fun,” he said.
“You too.” I grabbed my purse and left the house. Paul would be such a welcome break. I should’ve checked my makeup or hair, but it was only lunch.