Dangerous Authority (4 page)

Chapter 5

S
he went back to the daycare center to collect Jessie and sort out the schedule and payment.  They spent the day away from home, enjoying their last day of total freedom before she'd be confined to the regimen of a job.  They visited the park and went for a long walk.  They picked up some groceries and Mary Jane splurged and bought little toys for each of the kids while at Walmart.  She killed time until it was time to pick up the boys without going home because she was afraid to find that Zander had lost his job and might be there drinking.

She also dreaded picking up the kids and seeing Dominique.  She enjoyed her afternoon with Jessie but was dramatically sad that everything would change the very next morning when she was gone before the children even woke, to pour coffee and deliver eggs and toast to impatient customers.  She felt on the edge of a complete breakdown as Dominique's comment played over and over in her head.  She blamed him for everything.  Every bit of heart ache she was embroiled in; it was all his fault.

When it finally was time for her daily wait in the cafeteria, she sat there with her blood boiling waiting for him to walk in.  Like clockwork, he arrived a couple minutes behind her, and his eyes sought hers out as soon as he was in the door.  He made his way to her.

"Don't," she said coldly.

"Mary Jane, please," Dominique said quietly, gazing down at her with sad eyes.

"Dominique," she whispered.  "I mean it.  Just go away.  I.  Cannot.  Go.  There.  With you."

After a pause when her words hit him, she thought maybe he'd turn and walk away.  But instead he sat down next to her just as he had the day before.  Only much closer than twelve inches apart this time.

"I'm not asking you to go anywhere with me," he said softly; intensely.  "I just…  I just want to be near you.  That's all.  Please."

Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at him.  Everything that his actions had caused in her life raced through her mind once more and she blinked hard to try and stave off the tears.  "No," she whispered angrily.  "No, stop.  I don't have room in my world for you to be near me, Dominique.  You had your chance.  You had my
heart. 
You didn't want it, and that was your choice.  It's too late now."

She scooped Jessie up and stormed away, blustering into the gym before parents were even invited in.  She strode purposefully to the risers where her sons were seated, only a couple rows down from the Flame boys.  She brusquely told them to come on.  On the way back across the gym, she shot the teachers a look just daring them to try and stop her.

They didn't say a word.

***

Exactly as she'd feared, Zander's truck was parked in their driveway when she pulled in with the kids.  She sighed and sat behind the wheel of the van for several minutes after shutting it off.  She felt shaky and weak, once again on the verge of tears.  Having been down this road so many times before, she knew that he'd been fired.

"Are we going inside, Mommy?" Jason asked impatiently from the backseat, snapping her out of her dark thoughts.

She grabbed the keys out of the ignition and tossed them in her purse.  "Yep, sorry, buddy.  I was daydreaming."  She helped the kids out of the van and together they ventured into the house.

As soon as she was in the door she heard the scrape of Zander's chair on the kitchen floor and he thundered into the living room.

"The mother fucker fired me!" he shouted.

His beer sloshed out of the bottle as he wildly flailed his arms to accentuate his salty declaration.  His eyes looked bleary and wild, his hair a mess.  And his loud words had been slurred.  Mary Jane bent to kiss each of her children on their heads. "Go play out in the back yard," she told them.

"But I want a snack," Jonah whined.  Being unfortunately used to their father's drunken ramblings, he didn't even seem affected by it this time.

"I know, sweetie," Mary Jane said softly.  "I'll bring snacks out to you in just a minute, OK?  We'll have a snack picnic!"  She tried to sound cheerful, but the three kids slumped grouchily out the back door.  She turned to face her husband.

"Zander, how many times do I have to ask you not to talk like that in front of my kids?"

Zander gave her a hateful look.  "That all you got to say?  They're
our
kids, Mary Jane.  And I'll talk however I goddamn well want to, you got that?"

She stared at him evilly.  Thinking for the millionth time of the job she had waiting for her in the morning, it suddenly popped into her mind to toss him out.  She'd never so much as considered it before.  But she felt she was rapidly approaching the end of what she'd accept from him.

"Here's the deal, Z.  I knew you were going to get fired.  So I went out and got a job.  I start in the morning."

Zander's jaw dropped and he stared blinking at her.  He raked his fingers through his hair and began to pace, slamming his beer down on an end table so hard, she was surprised it didn't break.  "A job?  Jesus, Mary Jane.  Thought I'd been pretty clear on where I stand on this."

She shook her head.  "Sorry, but enough is enough, Zander.  I'm tired of struggling.  Tired of moving.  Tired of all of it.  One of us has to be responsible.  Guess it's going to me."

He strode to her so quickly that he was in her face in an instant.  "Hey, it's not my fault there's nobody to work for in this fuckin' town but shit heads," he growled.

An alarm bell began sounding in her mind.  She didn't like him so close to her when he acted like this.  However, she was so angry she'd crossed over the line of caring about his delicate feelings.  She rolled her eyes.  "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it a million times before.  I'm done with your excuses, Zander.  And I need a little more help from you now that I'll be working.  You can't go run the bars on weeknights anymore.  I agreed to work Monday through Saturday, and I go in at five in the morning.  That means you'll have to get the kids up and take them to daycare and
hopefully
you'll find a new job soon.  The daycare will take the boys to school, so they'll only be there for a few minutes, and I'll be off in plenty of time to still pick them up each day."

Zander straightened and stood back from her slightly, staring down at her with a snarling mouth and flaring nostrils.  Then, he completely surprised her by bursting into tears.

His knees seemed to buckle and he sunk onto the couch.  He leaned forward and buried his face in his hands, weeping bitterly.  Her hard heart softened slightly.  But at the same time, she'd seen this routine before as well.  She wasn't sure she was buying it, but at least it was better than anger and yelling.

"I'm such a fuck up," Zander moaned.

That was her cue to comfort and coddle him, usually.  However, she simply didn't have it in her that day.  In the past, she'd never failed to stroke his ego and make him feel better about himself, but not this time.  She'd adored the years she spent at home with her children, and now it was being stripped from her.  She was beyond angry.

"You know what, Zander; give it a rest, alright?"

His head snapped up at her and he stared open mouthed into her face.  All the anger was completely gone from his expression then, and replaced by hurt.  Her face on the other hand, was stony and bitter as she met his gaze.

"I'm just over it," she muttered.  "This is how it's going to be now, and if you don't like it, then just get out."

She spun on her heel and stalked out the back door, forgetting about preparing snacks for the kids.

***

At five in the morning, Mary Jane dragged herself to Zander's truck, dreading going to work.  She knew what to expect from her day at the old diner, which was nice.  But getting up so early and being on her feet all day was going to take some getting used to.  She knew she'd be exhausted that afternoon.

After they'd avoided each other for several hours the evening prior, they both finally settled down enough to sort out a new routine.  She had been surprised that after she'd for once had the strength to put her foot down, he was cooperative.  He switched to coffee and sobered up, and they'd agreed to switch vehicles in the morning so he could transport the kids to daycare.  Then he promised to go out job hunting and return the van to her after she got off work. 

"Maybe after I find something, you'll quit?" he'd asked her hopefully.

She stared out the kitchen window and considered his question.  Naturally, there was nothing she'd like more than to continue staying home with her children.  But just because she'd apparently won an argument for once, didn't mean she believed for a second that he was going to straighten up.  Or that he ever would, if she was being honest with herself.

"We’ll see," she'd finally answered, deciding to simply not address the matter just then.

Chugging her travel mug of coffee, Mary Jane soon turned onto Main Street where the diner was situated.  When she swung into a parking spot, she saw no other vehicles around.

Except for an idling police cruiser.

It was far too early for anyone to be downtown yet, and because they were already so familiar with Mary Jane, the management had provided her with keys.  She'd been hired to be the opener for the restaurant.  So there were also no other employees present.  Just that lone police cruiser.

Too tired to be angry, or any emotion really, Mary Jane stepped out of the truck and trudged to the cruiser.  She bent slightly to peer into the passenger side window and confirmed that it was Dominique sitting there in the shadows.  He rolled the window down and gave her one of his almost indiscernible smiles.

"What are you doing?" she asked.  There was nothing angry in her tone.  Only tired.

"I asked Doris what hours you'd be working," he commented simply.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Wow, stalker much?" she said smartly.

He smirked.  "Oh please.  I'm just making sure you get in the door safely, Mary Jane.  I'm a public servant, if you recall."

She couldn't help but smirk back, though she still wasn't ready to show him a smile.  "Yes, because this town is just so dangerous."

Something dark passed across his eyes and he was back to frowning.  "It's not as safe as you think, Mary Jane," he said softly.  Then he nodded toward the door.  "Go on in, and lock it back up behind you while you get ready to open."

She gave him a salute.  "Yes, officer.  Will do, thank you."

Chapter 6

M
ary Jane whisked through her busy morning in the diner.  Nothing much had changed.  All the procedures remained the same, so she required no training.  All the same customers flowed in and out, and they were abundantly happy to see her.  Even the old grouchy men revealed how they'd missed her over the years.  She hardly had a free second to think about any of her personal problems and she quite enjoyed herself, and the stack of cash accumulating in her apron pocket.  She thought of little else beyond what she was doing, except that the sound of Dominique saying her name played in the background of her imagination as she worked.

It surprised her that he never came in throughout the morning.  But at noon, an hour before she got off, Zander did enter the diner.  She thought he was just there to give her keys to the van, but instead, he took a seat in one of the booths.

She walked curtly up to him holding out her hand.  "Hey, it’s the middle of lunch rush, so…"

He seemed to be oblivious to how busy she was.  "So, I got a new job already!" he exclaimed smiling broadly at her.

She tried not to let her frustration show as she watched three of her tables fill up out of the corner of her eye.  "That's great, Z, we'll talk about it when I get off."  She wiggled her fingers, inviting him once again, to hand over the keys.

"I'm gonna have lunch, can I have a menu?"

Mary Jane stifled a groan.  "OK, hang on a sec; let me get my new customers first, alright?"

"Sure," he said good naturedly.

She buzzed around delivering menus to the new customers and grabbing drink orders.  She also refilled coffees as she made her way through the dining room.

"Thank you, Missy," said one of the old farmers who regularly drank coffee in the diner.  He patted her hand as she poured.

"HEY!  KEEP YOUR FUCKING HANDS OF MY WIFE!" Zander screamed, leaping out of his seat and rushing at the old man.

The entire jam packed dining room fell deathly quiet.  Mary Jane stood stalk still, mouth gaping, the breath frozen in her lungs.

A brilliant red color rose in the old farmer's face and he slid back his chair to stand.  Though he was dressed in worn overalls and possessed a nondescript appearance, Mary Jane knew him to be one of the wealthiest members of the community.  And certainly not a customer the management would want to piss off. 

"Excuse me, son?" the farmer asked testily.

"You heard me," Zander growled. 

The manager raced across the dining room, fumbling desperately to apologize to the farmer, who turned and angrily stormed out of the restaurant.  As the door's bells jingled, signaling his abrupt departure, everyone in the dining room resumed their chatter. 

Her manager, Mitch, glared at Zander.  "Mr. Barnaby, I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave.  And Mary Jane, I need to speak with you."

She glanced at Zander silently praying he would just leave, though he looked close to explosion.  After a tense moment of exchanged glances among the three of them, Zander turned and stalked out of the restaurant, tossing the keys to the van on a table as he left.

Mary Jane followed Mitch into the back, out of the view of the customers.

"Mary Jane, come on," he said irritably.  "What am I supposed to say here?"

She struggled to fight back tears.  "Mitch, I am
so
sorry.  Believe me; no one is as mortified as I am.  Please…  Don't fire me."

He glowered at her for a long time before he finally spoke.  "He can't come in here.  CANNOT come in here, do you understand me?  It's a diner full of ancient old married men, for Christ's sake.  That man looks at you like a grandchild, I can promise you that."

"I know, I know.  I understand!  You know I don't mind these old fellas, Mitch."  Relief washed over her, managing to push back some of her embarrassment.  He wasn't going to fire her.  As long as Zander cooperated, anyway.

With one final warning, he sent her back to finish out her day.

***

After she left work, she found herself killing time away from home once again.  Confronting Zander was the absolute last thing on earth she wanted to do just then.  She picked up Jessie from daycare and took her to the park again, where they stayed until it was time to pick up the boys.

In the school cafeteria, Dominique came in soon after her, just as always.  He strolled to where she sat and took a seat next to her.

"Heard about your husband's shenanigans," he said without prelude.

She shot him a warning look.  "Don't, Dominique.  I'm not discussing it with you."

He arched an eyebrow and gave her that infuriating yet dizzy making small smile.  "Why not?" he teased.

"It's not funny.  And you know why not."  Mary Jane groaned.  "Would you give me a break?  What part of 'go away' are you not understanding,
Officer
?"

He gazed at her for one of those characteristic long moments where she would die to know what he was thinking.  "Mary Jane, if I thought for one minute that you meant it, I would go away."

Her cheeks blazed.  They didn't say anything else and soon it was time to pick up their students and they parted ways, leaving Mary Jane's mind on tilt.

***

Mary Jane's life became a busy whirlwind, working six days a week and managing her family.  Within a couple weeks, school dismissed for the summer so she no longer saw Dominique each afternoon in the cafeteria.  But he was there almost religiously in the mornings when she reported to work.  She didn't even speak to him at those times; simply proceeded into the building.

He also stopped in for a quick cup of coffee almost every day that she worked.  She couldn't deny enjoying settling back into a friendship with the mysterious man, but she was also glad that she could busy herself with other customers if she felt on the verge of crossing a line.

Zander started his new job on a construction crew and surprised her by doing very well, as far as she could see.  He reported on time and stayed all day, and she heard zero complaints from him in the evenings.  They were pulling in more money than they ever had since they'd been together.  For a time, she began to feel like things were working out.

Four weeks after she started working the diner again, she spent a hot Saturday evening cooking out in the back yard with her family.  The fragrant aroma charcoal and grilling steaks drifted on the warm summer air.  Mary Jane closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze on her face, and the sound of her kids, and other children all over the neighborhood, enjoying the beautiful evening. 

Zander stood at the grill and she wandered up behind him and put her arms around his waist.  He hung his tongs off the grill's handle and turned to face her and take her in his arms.

"We missed you this morning while you were at work," he murmured into her hair.

"Aw, I missed you guys too," she replied.

After a long, lazy moment he pulled back just enough to look down into her eyes.  "Since things have been going so well with my new job, don't you think it's time to quit that hell hole?"

Mary Jane's smile faded.  She'd wondered when this argument would strike.  She didn't know what to say.  Afraid of disrupting the peaceful balance that had finally occurred in their household; she thought she should tread lightly.

"It's really not a hell hole, Z," she said gently.  "It’s a really
nice
place.  The customers are kind people.  I do really well there!  And…  I like it."

Shadows crossed his face and he frowned darkly.  "Oh yeah?  Better than you like your family?"  He dropped his hands and gave her a little shove back.  It was a gentle shove, but a shove nonetheless.

"Come on, Zander, you know that's not true.  Don't you enjoy all the extra money?  When have we ever been able to afford anything extra?  By Christmas, we'll probably be able to afford a trip to Disney World!  It's so nice not to worry and struggle, you must agree with that."

"So I guess me working my ass off for you all those years wasn't good enough then?"

I wouldn't exactly call it working your ass off to get fired every other week,
she thought bitterly.

She sighed.  "I'm sorry, but I'm not quitting the job.  Please try to understand.  It's good for me, and it's good for us.  That's the end of it."

He glared angrily at her for a long moment and she saw the husband she was used to, the one who'd been carefully hidden for the last month, present himself in all his angry glory.  She refused to look away, refused to back down.  Finally he turned and stalked into the house.  For the first time since she'd started working, she watched him peel out of the driveway, undoubtedly headed for the bar.

He left the family's steaks still smoking on the grill.