Page 54 of Misfortune: Christmas With Scrooge (Miss 1)

They stood staring at one another, on the verge of another verbal battle when his mother and Norton approached. “Dexter, what are you doing here?”

“Trying to knock some sense into this woman's head,” he barked, thrusting an angry finger in her direction.

The temptation to bite it off was too great; Laura clenched the edge of the kitchen table and bit down hard on her lower lip.

“Dexter, don't be angry,” his mother pleaded. “Be happy, this is a wonderful thing Laura is trying to do—”

“Happy?” He sounded incredulous. “She's digging herself another money pit. Because that's what will happen. And guess who has to bail her out yet again!” This last sentence he spat at her, slamming his chest in exaggeration. Laura’s eyes narrowed in fury.

“Don't worry, Adell.” She attempted to control the anger in her voice. “Dexter doesn't know what the word happiness means. He's been against my shelter from the beginning. He would do anything to see it fail. Including crashing the opening party.”

“But I'm sure he didn't mean too.” Adell's eyes began to grow with concern.

“Oh, I'm sure he did.” Her anger was well out of control. “There's a few hard facts you should know about your son, Adell. He's a callous man lacking in normal human feelings and emotions.”

“Laura, stop, you don't understand.” His mother tried to interfere.

“The only emotion he carries is a heartless attachment to money. He doesn't care who he hurts or misuses as long as it benefits his bottom dollar.”

“Laura, please don't.”

“I sicken at the stomach from the simple reminder he once held my regard.”

“Oh Lord.” Adell closed her eyes.

Dexter remained stone silent until that moment. “Then, I take it I know longer hold your esteem?”

She snorted. “Not if the Pope himself made you a saint.”

“Then at least I have accomplished some good tonight.”

Laura winced inwardly. “Then, for the first time in your life, Dexter O’Reilly, you must be very happy.” Her sarcasm had the right amount of sting to it. “Because you certainly have accomplished that.”

He paused, then without another word, turned and left. Just like that he was gone. And this time, Laura was fairly certain it was for good. Taking a deep breath, for she hadn't realized she had been holding it, she looked at Adell. For the first time, she noticed the horrified look on her face, and suddenly felt intensely horrid. Her anger was directed solely at Dexter, but inadvertently she had wounded her friend.

“Oh Adell.” She reached out to her, but the woman turned away.

“Laura you shouldn't have said those things.” Her large hazel eyes, identical to Dexter's, looked painful. “You didn't really mean them, did you?”

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. S

he felt miserable inside.

“Norton, get my coat. I suddenly don't feel very well.”

“Adell, please,” Laura begged, pleading for understanding. “Please.”

When the other woman looked up, her eyes too pleaded with their own type of understanding. “I'll call you tomorrow.”

And like her son, she was gone. Laura stood there feeling every ghastly emotion rip her heart apart. With a cry of despair, she ran for her bedroom where solitude awaited. She collapsed on her bed and allowed herself to cry her heart out. She hated Dexter O'Reilly even more. Why had he drawn her anger? He had said himself he accomplished what he came to do. But why?

The answer came swiftly. He wanted her connections with Adell to be severed. And he knew exactly what to do. She remembered the words spoken the night when she first laid eyes on him. “He was a man only his mother could love.” Adell loved her son dearly, faults and all. Dexter knew it and allowed Laura to step right into his scheme.

* * *

The following day showed no sign of contact from Adell, which hadn’t surprised Laura too much. Considering the hateful words she had spat at Dexter, she wondered if Adell would ever come to forgive her. Appalled at her behavior the night before, she wanted instantly to call her and apologize. No matter what her feelings toward the woman's son, she should have considered Adell's feelings. All she had done for her came from the core of the woman’s sincere heart. She never had a truer friend than Adell Cameron and how did she treat her, with disgrace.

For that matter, Laura conceded grudgingly, she owed Dexter an ample reserve of gratefulness as well. Whether he acknowledged his part in the restoration of her family home or not, Laura understood the significance. She wouldn’t have her home back if it weren’t for Dexter. Evidently, she required to express her regrets and sorrow not only to Adell, but her son as well.

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