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“Yes, they are,” she replied, and she just stood there staring at him. The wounded expression made him wince.
“I’m sorry,” he said simply.
Lillian shot him a look that was an odd combination of hate and pride, shooed the kids toward the back, and followed them without saying a word.
Lillian must have gotten off the bus through the back door, because Mel didn’t see her leave. But she was one of the two people on his mind when he clocked out at the terminal and headed home. How was he going to play cards at Debra’s house as long as Big Boy was still mad at him? What if Lillian showed up?
He made a quick stop at Circuit City for the television set. They offered delivery within twenty-four hours, but Mel lugged the nineteen-inch TV home by cab and set it up in the bedroom, hoping that Adrienne would forgive his behavior from the night before.
Mel dashed back out of the house for food and flowers. There wasn’t much time. Adrienne would be home in two hours. A broad smile crossed Mel’s face as he shoved the apartment door open with his shoulder. His hands were filled with bags. He had purcha
sed a dozen pink roses, a bottle of champagne, two red candles, cold shrimp, honey barbecue chicken, a container of potato salad, and a chocolate layer cake for dessert. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Adrienne’s face when she got home and saw the spread set up in the living room. He took a quick shower and changed into a pair of red sweatpants and a matching T-shirt. After laying out the food on the coffee table, he turned out the living room lights and sat down to relax and wait for Adrienne.
He nervously checked the freezer to make sure the champagne and glasses were chilling properly before he sat down on the couch, anxiously waiting for his wife to put the key in the door. A few minutes went by, and then he heard the sound of her keys jingling. He rushed to greet her.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, baby,” Mel drawled as he grabbed Adrienne tenderly around the waist. Smiling, he took her by the hand and led her toward the living room.
He switched on the light. “Take a look around, baby!”
Adrienne took off her blazer and laid it over the sofa as she eased her way toward the romantic dinner Mel had prepared for her. “This is so sweet, honey. How thoughtful of you. Very nice,” she said absently while strolling into the bedroom.
Very nice? Mel thought angrily. After all the work he had put into this evening to make it perfect, and the best she could do was “very nice”? Feeling foolish and disappointed, he followed her into the bedroom. She was taking off her work clothes and humming softly to herself. It took a moment for her to realize he was standing in the doorway. He didn’t recognize the tune.
“Are you going to eat this food?” he asked stiffly.
Adrienne glanced at the open door leading to the living room. “Sure. Let me take a shower first.” She bent over and slipped out of her shoes.
“Why are you acting so cold?”
She pulled herself together and gave him a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry I acted so crabby when I came through the door. I was thinking about the new president at work. Believe me, it is one strange story.”
“Well, it must be something for you to turn down all this.” Mel pulled her close to his chest, his hands resting on her curvy hips. “Why don’t you tell me about it tomorrow?”
She gave him a sexy smile and wrapped her arms around his neck. Mel smelled like warm cinnamon. “Okay, baby. Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind?”
Mel swept her up and carried her to the bed. They could heat up the food later.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Adrienne and Dan had spent their early years in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. However, when Adrienne was entering junior high, drugs took over the street. Their father soon moved his family to Manhattan. He made good money as a subway conductor, but in order to afford the rent on the two-bedroom apartment he found on Tenth Avenue and Fiftieth Street, he had to work double overtime. The family rarely saw him after they moved. He was always just getting in from work or leaving to go to work.
Since their mother was always at home or at the school doing volunteer work for the PTA, Adrienne and Dan couldn’t get away with much. No attending after-school centers, going to hooky parties, smoking reefer, or cutting class for the Montgomery kids. As a result, they were well mannered and earned excellent grades. When it was time for high school, Adrienne auditioned for the High School for Performing Arts and was accepted.
As he grew older, their father was still always working. When he was around he managed only to frighten Dan with his constant demands that he “straighten up and act like a man.” Mama smothered and fussed over her son as if he were made of glass. It was only with Adrienne that Dan could relax and be himself, until he met Charlene.
Adrienne rang Dan’s bell three times. There was no response, and she was about to leave when her brother finally answered the intercom. “It’s me, Adrienne.” As Adrienne rode the elevator upstairs, she wondered if she had interrupted her brother and Charlene in bed, even though it was one on a Saturday afternoon.
Dan came to the door, and Adrienne peeked anxiously over her shoulder. “Is Charlene here?”
Dan laughed and stood aside to let Adrienne pass. “Yes. She is in the bedroom, on the phone with the cable company. They have us on hold, and we’re afraid to get off. You know how long it takes to get through to them.”
Adrienne shivered as she unbuttoned her coat. “Dag, it’s windy out there.” She tossed her coat and pocketbook onto the coffee table and flopped down onto the sofa. Dan excused himself, went into the kitchen, and picked up the extension. For the next few minutes, he and Charlene took turns arguing with a cable representative over the bill for over three hundred dollars that they had received. Adrienne didn’t pay attention to the details.
There were two big pots on the coffee table. One was filled with fat green beans and the other was for the discarded ends. Adrienne sat rubbing her hands together to warm them until Dan and Charlene got off the phone.
Dan finally came back and sat cross-legged on the floor. Charlene joined them. She gave Adrienne a hug. “It’s about time you came to see me. I’ll do your hair as soon as I get these beans cooking on the stove. Why don’t you help me?” Charlene flopped down on the sofa beside her sister-in-law and the two women started in on the beans.
Dan said. “You look like you’re about to burst, Adrienne. What’s up?”
