"Have they tried?" Charisma asked, forehead scrunched in thought. "Surely?."
Esmeralda smiled gently. "The world isn't a nice place Charisma? especially to people like me. Most people look at me and they see poor white trash. And when they find out I love another woman, it makes me less than the dirt on their shoes."
"That's not right!"
"No, it isn't, but it is life. It shouldn't matter that I clean up behind people to make a living or that my mate is a woman like I am. What should matter is that I work hard and pay my bills on time; that I talk to God diligently and am a loving, faithful mate to Saphira."
"How does you loving another woman make you a bad person, Esmeralda? And what is wrong with honest, hard work that people look down their noses at you for doing it?"
"You're asking the wrong person, Charisma. I just know how things work in my world."
Brianna tilted her head. "Do you think your world is so different from ours?"
Esmeralda returned her look thoughtfully. "In many ways, no. But in some ways?. People with money and power make the rules, Brianna. And they get treated differently because of it. I can't say if it's better - I don't know. But if I was a betting person, I would say it probably is to some extent."
"How so?"
"People don't question your right to be somewhere or do something because you're seen as somebody. You probably have never had someone look down their nose at you because of what you do or what you wear or who you're with. If I was in your place, my relationship with Saphira would titillate, not offend. Not that I want my relationship with her to become some sort of front page sensation, but people would be intrigued by us because we were rich and powerful."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes," Esmeralda replied without hesitation. Then they were pulling up at the diner and Turq was opening the door. "I'd be willing to bet that if your colleagues had met Saphira and me before the Father dismissed us, we'd have been welcomed with open arms." She took Turq's hand to help her from the car, leaving two thoughtful Senators behind her.
Chapter LI
"What did you do to them?" Saphira asked quietly as she approached the car. Turq had called and warned Saphira they were coming, so Saphira had been waiting at the door watching for them when the limousine pulled up. She'd waited a moment, watching Esmeralda slowly emerge and had come out to greet her. Turq was still standing by the open car door. "I thought they were coming in with you."
Esmeralda frowned. "So did I, actually. Give me a sec?" she asked and Saphira nodded. Esmeralda walked back around to stick her head in the door. She cleared her throat, bringing two sets of eyes swinging in her direction. "Are the two of you coming in or should I say goodnight here?"
"What? Oh? I didn't realize," Charisma said.
Brianna blinked. "Me either."
Esmeralda shook her head. "It wasn't that profound, really. Now c'mon? Matilda has chocolate cake waiting."
Esmeralda backed away from the door quickly when she realized their intent. Charisma and Brianna scrambled out of the vehicle so quickly, Turq barely had a chance to offer them a hand. Then they came around the back of the car to greet Saphira. Charisma turned to Turq.
"Come with us, Turq."
"Oh, no ma'am? I couldn't."
"Does the snobbery thing work both ways?" she asked Esmeralda before turning back to Turq.
"Ma'am?"
"Just once, forget the rules. If it makes you feel better, no one will know except for us." Charisma saw Turq's eyes shift behind her for a bare moment and wondered if she had been seeking permission, because when they fastened on her again, Turq nodded her agreement.
"Thank you for the invitation, Senator." Then they were walking inside together and Saphira locked the door behind them.
Matilda walked around the counter when they crossed the threshold. If she was surprised by the number of people walking in the door of her technically closed diner, she didn't even blink to show it. Instead, she held out her arms to Esmeralda and offered her a hug. Then she did the same to Brianna, though with a much briefer embrace. Then she turned back to Esmeralda.
"Introduce me to my new friends, Essie. I know Brianna, but this is??"
"Matilda, this is Senator Charisma Tagherty and my friend Turq."
Matilda's eyes twinkled in delight. "Senator Tagherty, it's nice to make your acquaintance. And Turq?" She wrinkled her brow in thought. "You look familiar to me. Have you been here before?"
"Yes, ma'am. Es recommended your pot roast, so I've been in once or twice for that."
"Did you enjoy it?"
Turq cleared her throat and blushed. "As often as I can manage, ma'am."
"My name is Matilda, Turq. Only old folks get called ma'am around here, ya got it?"
"Yes ma'am? um, Matilda." Matilda just laughed.
"Don't worry about it Turq. You were obviously raised right."
"My mama will be glad to hear that."
Matilda laughed again and directed them towards the counter. "Now what can I do for you ladies tonight? We don't have much, I'm afraid."
"Please tell me there's chocolate cake?" Brianna practically whined. "Charisma had to go and mention it earlier and I've been jonesing for it ever since."
"Well, Brianna - you're in luck. I happened to make one earlier to have it for the lunch crowd tomorrow. Guess I'll be making another one in the morning, won't I?" She turned to Charisma. "And you, Senator Tagherty? What can I get for you?"
"I'd like it very much if you'd call me Charisma, Matilda. Otherwise I feel very much the odd woman out here." Matilda nodded.
"Of course, Charisma. Thank you. I've learned not to assume that privilege in this town."
"I can understand why. I'd like the chocolate cake as well. And I'd like to talk to you about ordering about a half dozen more of them," smiling when Matilda's eyebrows shot up into her hairline. "I'm taking Es' word on faith. She swears it's the best thing going."
Matilda smiled at Esmeralda before turning back to Charisma. "Well, I'll admit it's pretty damn good, but I'm pretty sure six of them will make you hurl your guts, Charisma. It wouldn't be pretty."
Charisma blinked. "Oh? ew, no. I'd like them for next weekend. We're going to my parents for the holiday and I figure that should be enough for the entire family. My brothers have teenagers - mostly teenage boys," as if that explained it all. And for Matilda it seemed to as she nodded her head sagely.
"In that case? when do you need them by?"
"Wednesday morning?" She looked at Brianna. "Would you mind swinging by here and picking them up on your way?"
"Not at all. Es?" finally noting that Esmeralda and Saphira were seated at one end of the counter, quietly eating the meal Saphira had split between them. Saphira nudged her and jerked her head in Brianna's direction, and Esmeralda refocused her gaze.
"I'm sorry, Brianna - what did I miss?"
"Charisma was wondering if we could pick up the cakes she's ordering from Matilda on Wednesday morning on our way out of town." Esmeralda's eyes widened and she swallowed. "Of course, Brianna - whatever you want to do. Saphira and I are just along for the ride."
"You're along for much more than that," Brianna and Charisma declared in tandem, then stared at one another in startlement. The rest chuckled softly and it broke the tableau, causing Brianna and Charisma to smile.
"Great," Matilda said clapping her hands together excitedly. "Now that we have that settled, what can I get for you Turq?"
"I'll have the same, ma'am? Matilda."
Matilda turned and reached towards the window, swiping the three plates of cake Joe had put there as soon as he'd heard the orders. Matilda set them in front of her impromptu guests, then turned and pulled three glasses of milk from the big machine behind the counter. All three women looked at her. Matilda just raised an eyebrow.