Rogue

Maxine went back to the hospital at noon, and was delighted to find that Eloise was doing well. She had regained consciousness, and Maxine was able to talk to her, although she wouldn't say why she had made the attempt. Maxine was recommending a long-term hospitalization for her, and her parents had agreed. They didn't want to risk anything like it happening again, whatever it took.

Maxine was back with her children by two. Daphne had gone out with friends, allegedly Christmas shopping, but Maxine was sure her daughter was avoiding her, which suited her just fine. She was still furious at Daphne's accusations that morning. And as usual, Sam was very sweet about making it up to her. Together they went to watch Jack play soccer. And much to their delight, Jack's team won the game. By the time they all got back to the apartment at five o'clock, they were in better spirits. Daphne was home by then and was very subdued.

When Charles called her at six, he said he had just woken up, and was stunned to hear she had run around all day.

“I'm used to this,” she laughed. “There's no rest for the weary. At least not when you have kids.”

“I don't know how you do it. I feel like I was hit by a bus. I'm a total wuss. How's your patient doing?” He sounded sleepy and sexy.

“Remarkably well. Thank God these kids are young. A lot of the time we have a pretty decent shot at saving them, though not always.”

“I'm glad this one worked out.” He had a vested interest in it now. “What are you doing tonight?”

“We're going to a movie at eight, probably pizza or Chinese before that.” And then she had an idea. She assumed he was too tired to join them, and she was beginning to drag too, but they always had family dinners on Sunday night that were more festive than during the week. “How about joining us for dinner tomorrow?”

“You and your children?” He sounded hesitant, and less enthused than she would have hoped. It was a new concept for him.

“Yes, that would be the idea. We can order in Chinese, or something else if you prefer.”

“I love Chinese takeout. I just don't want to intrude on a family dinner.”

“I think we can handle it. How about you?” She was smiling, and he couldn't think of a good excuse not to.

“Okay,” he said, sounding as though he had just agreed to bungeejump from the Empire State Building, and by his standards he had. Maxine appreciated that he was willing to make the effort. It obviously scared him to death.

“See you tomorrow at six,” she said, as Daphne stood in the room and glared at her.

“Did you just invite him to dinner tomorrow?” Daphne asked as soon as her mother hung up.

“Yes, I did.” And she was not about to ask permission. The children had friends over all the time, whom Maxine welcomed with open arms. She had a right to have friends over too, even if she rarely if ever exercised the privilege.

“Then I'm not eating with you tomorrow,” Daphne snarled.

“Yes, you are,” Maxine said calmly, and reminded her that her friends should be welcome in the house too. “I don't know why you're making such an issue of this, Daphne. He's a perfectly nice person. I'm not running off with him. And you deal with your father's girlfriends all the time.”

“Is he your boyfriend?” Daphne looked horrified, as Maxine shook her head.

“No, he's not, but that wouldn't be the most outrageous thing that ever happened. It's a lot more unusual that I haven't dated in years. You don't need to make such a big deal of this.” But maybe she did. She obviously felt threatened by Charles and the whole concept of a man near her mother. And Jack didn't like it either. “Nothing's going to happen here, Daff. But for chrissake, lighten up. Let's just treat it like what it is. A friend coming to dinner. If it turns out to be more than that one day, I'll tell you. For now, all it is is dinner. Okay?” As she said it, she thought of his kissing her that morning. So Daphne wasn't entirely wrong. It was more than just dinner. Daphne didn't say a word, she just walked out of her mother's room in silence.

When Charles showed up the next day, Daphne was in her room, and Maxine had to coax, beg, and threaten her to finally emerge for dinner. She came to the kitchen, but she made it clear with her body language and behavior that she was there under protest. She ignored Charles completely, and looked at her mother in fury. And when they served the Chinese food that arrived at seven, Daphne refused to eat. Sam and Jack more than made up for it. Charles congratulated Jack on winning the game the day before, and asked him the details of the play.

And after that, Sam and Charles struck up a lively conversation. Daphne looked at both her brothers like traitors, and was back in her room in twenty minutes. Charles mentioned it to Maxine while she was cleaning up the kitchen, and putting the leftovers away. Dinner had been good, and Charles had done very well. It was obviously an effort for him to talk to children, but he was trying. It was all completely unfamiliar to him.