Her First (17 page)

Joyce grabbed the pie.
Ethan picked up the pound cake and sweet potato pie.

Everybody was eagerly awaiting the dessert.  As they placed items on the table,
Ethan said, “Everybody, this is my cousin Joyce.”

Some replied, “Hi,” as they all dug in and helped themselves to the dessert of their choice.

The rest of the afternoon went by without any incidents to Ethan’s relief. He didn’t know what to expect after Joyce arrived.

“
Madison, we made it through the day,” he said as he closed the door behind their last guest.

“I’m exhausted,”
Madison responded.

“Me too. I’ll get those dishes in the morning.”

“I hate to leave dirty dishes, but I’m emotionally drained right now.”

“You want to talk about it.”

“Let me go get out of these clothes and I’ll meet you back downstairs.”

“Meet me in my bedroom,”
Ethan suggested.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“I promise. I won’t bite.”

“Okay.”

“That is unless you want me to,” he teased.

Ethan was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. He was laying across the bed flipping stations when Madison walked in. She laid down beside him and hugged him.

“Thanks,” she told him.

“For what?” he asked.

“For going beyond the call of duty.”

“When I agreed to be your husband, I took my duties seriously,” he joked.

“You’re so silly.”

“And you’re so beautiful.” His eyes sparkled as he spoke.

She paused before saying anything. “The tour of the house was a trip. I had to make up stuff. And you know the ring leader, Adrienne, asked plenty of questions.”

“Did you show them big daddy’s room?” He laughed.

“Yes, we came in here. Thankfully, I didn’t have to show them the other guest room, because my stuff was all over the bed.”

“Why not?”

“Adrienne was about to tear into April and by then everybody was ready to go back   downstairs.”

“April seems cool to me.”

“She is, but she said something to set Adrienne off.”

“Well the men folk didn’t have any drama. Your Dad had us laughing with some of the stories he was telling. I’m beginning to love your family.”

“Don’t go getting too comfortable. In a few more months you’ll be going about your merry way.”

He turned over onto his back, placed his arms under his neck and looked at her. “Don’t even think about getting rid of me,” he said.

“I’m not. I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

He pulled her down to his chest and began rubbing his hands through her hair. “Madison, how many times do we have to go over this? Regardless of our little predicament, we’re going to be together. Who knows? One day you may really become the real Mrs. Campbell.”

“Who knows?”
Madison said before falling asleep in his arms.

Ethan
carefully moved her and placed her under the covers. She reached out to him throughout the night. He wanted her so much and with her this close, it was making it harder for him to restrain himself. When he woke up, her legs were wrapped around him.  He attempted to move without waking her, but as soon as he moved, she woke up.

She rubbed her eyes and yawned.  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you up all night,” she said.

“I’ll accept your apology after I take a cold shower,” he told her.

He jumped out of bed without giving her a chance to respond and headed straight for the shower.

This water feels good,
he thought as he rinsed the soap off of his body. 
But it’s not helping my situation. Madison, we need to hurry up and do something about this.  I hope things work out with this paternity test. Either way it goes, I’m going to be a man about it and accept my responsibilities. 
When he stepped out of the shower, he called out for Madison, but she didn’t respond. 
Good, she’s left the room.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and was startled to see her sitting on his bed with her legs crossed when he entered the room.

“I thought you had left,” he told her.

“No. Then I would have missed seeing you walk out half naked.”

He looked down and pretended to be covering himself. “I’m shocked.”

“I’m aroused,” she teased.

“Madison, leave now or I won’t be held accountable for what I do next.”

“You promise?” she asked as she stood up.

“Don’t have me call your momma,” he said as she turned to walk out the door.

“Don’t have me call yours,” she retorted.

***

Madison
looked at the time and contemplated on whether or not she would go to church. She hadn’t attended in awhile. She was lying to her coworkers and family, but she wouldn’t dare go into the church sanctuary with the cross she had been carrying around. People would ask her about her husband and she would be forced to lie. She refused to be struck down on the church premises.

She poured herself a cup of coffee and began reading the Sunday paper. 
Ethan walked in the kitchen dressed in a tailor made gray pinstriped suit.

“What are your plans for today?” Ethan asked while pouring a cup of coffee. 

“
Nothing,” Madison replied.

“
What’s wrong with you?”

“
Why does something have to be wrong with me because I choose not to go to church?” she said with an attitude.

“
Hold up, I didn’t mention anything about church. I just asked one simple question and you’re going off.”

Madison
knew she owed him an apology, but instead of apologizing she said, “Have a good time at church.”

“
Why don’t you go to church with me today? Besides, it’ll give you a chance to meet my folks.”

She thought about it and agreed. “Give me about
thirty minutes.”

***

Ethan was proud to walk into the Tabernacle Baptist Church with Madison on his arms. She was dressed in a light purple double-breasted designer suit. The sleeves were feathered and she wore matching heels. Her purse was the same color. Ethan’s  dad was a deacon and Ethan noticed him sitting near the front of the church. His mother was sitting on the front pew.

It was crowded, so the usher directed them to seats near the back where they enjoyed the sermon.   After the sermon, his cousin sang a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. He looked to his right and saw tears flowing down
Madison’s face. He handed her the handkerchief in his pocket and whispered in her ear, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said between tears.

After service, they waited out front for his parents to come out. He greeted some of his relatives and other church members and introduced them to Madison as they waited.

Some of the single women weren’t too friendly.

Madison enjoyed the service, but if one more woman turned their nose up at her, she would not be held accountable for her actions.

These heifers are crazy,
she thought.
They shouldn’t be coming to church looking for a man anyway. If he wanted y’all, he would be with y’all. Now get to stepping.

She put on a fake smile and continued to shake her head at what seemed like appropriate moments as
Ethan talked.

I hope his folks hurry up and come out,
she thought
, because my feet are killing me. I don’t know why women like to torture themselves. All because we want to look cute and I know I must be looking real good for the women to act jealous and not even know me.

Ethan
called her name a few times. “Madison, this is my mom, Belle Campbell.”

“Oh I’m sorry. I don’t know where my mind was,”
Madison said as she reached her hand out for a handshake.

“Give me a hug,” Mrs.
Campbell insisted.

Ethan
’s mom hugged her.

“This is my dad, Frank,”
Ethan said as he gestured towards a six feet three inch bronze complexioned man with similar piercing gray eyes as Ethan’s. 

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Frank said as he shook
Madison’s hand.

“I hope it was all good,”
Madison stated as they walked down the sidewalk.

“Any woman who can put a smile on my baby’s face is alright with me,”
Ethan’s mom said.

“I’m not a baby,”
Ethan said.

“You’re my baby,” his mother insisted.

Ethan blushed.

Ethan
’s parents invited them over for dinner and they accepted. Madison got a chance to speak with his mother in private as Ethan and his father retreated to the den.  Madison attempted to help with dinner, but Ethan’s mother motioned for her to have a seat.

“
Madison, Ethan tells me you’re originally from Dallas. Where are your parents from?”

“They’re from this little town in Louisiana called Mansfield. It’s about twenty miles south of Shreveport.”
Madison wiped the perspiration from her forehead when Belle turned away.

“Never heard of it, but I’ve been to Shreveport to the casinos.”

“I’ve been to Vegas a few time times but don’t frequent the casinos in Shreveport,” Madison informed her.

“I shouldn’t be going, but the sounds of those machines can be addictive.”

Madison nodded her head in agreement. “You sure you don’t need any help with anything?”

“Sit down. I would hate for you to get your pretty suit dirty.”

“That’s what cleaners are for.” Madison stood up, took off her jacket and placed it on the chair. “Now what do you need me to do?”

Belle had a pleasing look on her face, and handed her a knife. “You can cut the potatoes for me.”

“Will do.”

Belle told
Madison stories of the mischief Ethan and Frederick often got into growing up. It was hard for her to imagine Ethan being a chubby little kid. Her maternal instincts kicked in and she yearned to have a child, Ethan’s child.

Ethan
walked in. “How are my two favorite girls?” he asked.  He kissed his mom on the cheek and attempted to open up a pot. His mom smacked him on the back of his hand. “Ouch.”

“I told you I don’t like anybody over my stove, while I’m cooking,” his mother scolded.

Looking like a dejected little boy, Ethan said, “Yes ma’am.” He paused before saying, “Dad and I are going to the store. Do we need to bring something back?”

“Not that I can think of,” Belle responded.

“Ladies, we’ll be back,” Ethan said before winking at Madison.

She smiled at him and went to the sink and cleaned the potatoes before placing them in a pot. She tried to figure out which knob to turn for the front burner.

“I got it, dear,” Belle said. “Once these potatoes get done, I’ll make the salad and we’ll be ready to eat.”

Although dinner went well,
Ethan sensed his mom wanted to ask him something. Madison’s ring sparkled brighter under the dining room light than he remembered. They were getting ready to leave out when his mom pulled him to the side.

“Son, is there something you want to tell me?”

“No, Mom.”

“You’re not messing with a married woman are you?”

“Of course not. You raised me better than that.”

“I hope not.
Madison’s nice and all, but I don’t condone extramarital affairs,” Belle sternly said.

“She’s far from married.”

She hugged Ethan and he bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “Call me later,” she said.

“I will. I better go before Dad talks
Madison’s head off.”

Ethan
rescued Madison and they waved at his parents as they pulled out of the driveway.

“That was nice,”
Madison commented.

“Yes, it was. Did my mom say anything to you?” he asked.

“We talked. Why, what’s up?” she asked.

“She made a comment about you being married.”

Madison held up her right hand. “I guess I should have taken the wedding ring off. Sorry.”

“Everything’s cool. She knows we’re not committing adultery.” He laughed.

She wiped her forehead. “Whew. Good. I would hate for her to think I was messing around with her son.”

“Her son wished you were though.” He looked over at
Madison and smiled.

“Wishful thinking. And please keep your eyes on the road.”

“Yes ma’am.”

***

When Madison turned in for bed, she reflected on the weekend events. She wanted to believe her life was going well, but internally, she struggled with the idea she was living a lie.

How I wish
Ethan and I met under better circumstances and not in the middle of a lie,
she thought.
I wish he were my husband. I see how he interacts with his family, my family. I know he cares about me or he wouldn’t have agreed to live this lie. I don’t know how much longer we can live like this. He deserves better.

Tears streamed down her face as she pulled the covers over her head.