That’s what I tell myself.
I’m actually feeling a little more firm-footed and a little less floaty when Drake Chambers calls. Pearl and I are making letters and words in shaving cream on her art table while Winnie supervises from her baby bouncer. I have to answer the phone with my pinkie and hold it between my ear and shoulder while I rinse my hands.
“Hello.”
“Mrs. Maddox! Drake Chambers. How are you?”
“Good.” I’m not Cora anymore?
“I’m sorry it’s been a minute. I intended to call sooner, but I wanted to have something concrete to tell you before I did. Do you have time to talk now?”
“Sure.” Pearl is fully occupied with making an unholy mess, and Winnie is happy watching.
“Well, I’m afraid it’s a case of good news, bad news. Which would you like first?”
“The good news?” I’m frankly surprised there is any.
“So, I’ve been in touch with Nicolet and Burgess, and they’ve indicated a willingness on your husband’s part to discuss amending your agreement.”
“The custody part?”
“We haven’t gotten into the nitty-gritty yet, but we can certainly request that custody be on the table.”
Adrian didn’t mention this. Is this a rich person thing? Delegating your marriage to the lawyers? “Okay. What’s the bad news?”
“Well, maybe ‘bad’ is unduly prejudicial. As a show of good faith, Mr. Maddox has asked that you attend a business function with him. A holiday dinner, I believe, with clients.”
That stupid night out without the kids. Adrian won’t let it go. I don’t want to be around him alone. It’s trouble.
“I don’t want to do that. Maybeafterwe amend the agreement.”
For a few seconds, I’m afraid the call dropped, but then Drake says, “Mrs. Maddox, unfortunately, it’s my understanding that Mr. Maddox is not willing to enter discussions regarding possible amendment untilafteryou demonstrate an openness to abide by the, uh, less contentious stipulations of the present agreement.”
What happened to this guy? I don’t remember him talking like the small print at the end of a drug commercial when we met the first time.
“What are you saying?”
Drake exhales. “Cora, you’ve got to believe, I’m fighting for you out here. I’m in the trenches with these guys, getting dirty, and they’re simply not going to give unless we do. They want an initial concession, and in your prenup, you agreed to attend business functions.”
“I didn’t know I agreed to that.”
“I know that. Hell,theyknow that. But this is where we’re at. You want me to tell them to kick rocks, that’s what I’ll do. You’re the boss. You’re in control here.”
I stifle a snort. What a joke. “What dinner? When?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have those details. I’m sure you can get them from Mr. Maddox.”
“And if I go, he’ll agree to get rid of that custody agreement?”
“He has agreed to instruct his attorneys to open negotiations around amending the agreement.”
“So he hasagreedto fuck all.”Readinglegalese is one thing, but when you hear people say it out loud like it’s English, the bullshit is super obvious.
I stare out the bathroom window. Adrian’s Scorpion is parked out front, and he’s standing out there, chatting with Sal, one of the groundskeepers, probably about the car. He loves that thing. It’s one of the only things that interests him outside of business.
“Okay. Tell them I agree. Is that all?”
“As of now, yes.” He drops his voice a register in that way guys do when they’re about to butter you up. “Cora, I know this is hard for you, and I wish I could make it easier, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. I’m fighting for you, and it’s all going to work out in the end. You just have to keep the faith. Can you do that for me?”
