Her First (25 page)

“You ran out of there like a bat out of hell,” Charlotte commented as she drove Madison home.

“I have some things I need to take care of before I go out tonight,”
Madison replied.

As they pulled up into her driveway, Charlotte said, “You didn’t say anything to me about going out.”

“That’s because I DIDN’T invite you.” Madison removed her seatbelt.

“Do tell.”

Opening her door, Madison said, “Call me tomorrow. I might have something to tell you then.”

“It’s
Ethan isn’t it?” Charlotte rolled down the passenger window and shouted.

Madison
waved her hand in the air and yelled, “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Bye.”

She heard Charlotte yell before pulling out of the driveway, “You’re not right.” 

Madison laughed to herself. “It’ll teach you to stay out of my business.”  She unlocked the door and immediately removed her shoes. She rubbed the bottom of her feet.  “These are some cute shoes, but I don’t know when I’ll wear them again.”

She walked to her bedroom with the shoes in her hand. She threw them on the floor by the bed. Before sitting down, she saw her message light blinking on her home phone. She picked up the receiver and scrolled through the caller ID.

She dialed Pam’s number. Pam answered on the third ring. “Girl, where have you been?” Pam asked.

“I went to
Ethan’s mom’s birthday dinner,” Madison answered.

“I didn’t know you guys had made up. That’s good news.”

“Slow down, we haven’t exactly made up.”

Madison
told her what happened at the birthday party. “Tell Adrienne because I don’t have the energy to repeat myself.”

“I will.” Before hanging up, Pam asked, “Will
Ethan be coming with you to Sunday dinner?”

“He’ll be out of town.”

“Maybe if he didn’t have to travel so much your relationship would be more solid,” Pam commented.

Madison
knew that was her queue that it was time to go. “Pam, I hate to rush you, but my husband and I have plans tonight.”

“Do your thing, girl. I’ll see you tomorrow. Too bad he couldn’t stay until after dinner.”

“No, he can’t. Good night.” After hanging up with Pam, she got undressed. 
I need another shower.

***

Ethan helped clean up at his parent’s before heading home. Once he got home, he took a quick shower and changed clothes.  He then headed back out to meet Madison,

When he arrived at the Broadway Café, he didn’t see
Madison’s car in the parking lot. He decided to meet her inside, just in case she had parked somewhere else.

The music inside was smooth and soothing. He declined seating until he was sure
Madison was not there. After looking around, he asked the hostess for a seat for two. He left his name at the door.

Several women at the next table made it a point to flirt with him. He smiled and continued to listen to the music.

“The lady at the table in the back told me to send this over,” a waitress said as she placed a glass of Courvoisier on the table in front of him.

“Who did you say sent this?” he asked.

The waitress pointed towards the back but no one was there. “She was there a few minutes ago.”

Before she could say anything else,
Madison walked up and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

Ethan
stood up and held Madison’s chair as she sat down.

“Thanks,” he said to the waitress.

“I’ll be back to take your orders,” the waitress said before walking off.

“You look exquisite,”
Ethan commented.

“Thanks. I see you have a fan club,”
Madison said as she glanced at the table full of women next to them.

“I only have eyes for one woman.”

“If another woman had bought you the drink, would you have accepted it?”

“No. I would have sent it back.”

“That’s what your mouth says.”

Ethan
held his hand to his heart. “My heart says I would.”

Madison
got quiet. Ethan took a sip from his drink. He watched Madison as she moved to the beat of the music.

“Would you like to dance?”

“Not right now.”

“Let me know when.”

“I sure will,” she smiled as the waitress came back to take their orders.

***

When she walked in the club and saw Ethan sitting by himself, she knew for a fact that there was no way she could go on without him.  The entire day being around him and his family showed her he was the man she needed in her life. She watched as the women at the table next to him flirted. He was polite, but not once did she see him flirt back. The idea to send the drink came up at the last minute. Now as she sat across from him, she wanted to feel his arms around her and his lips on hers.

“
Madison, are you okay?” he asked.

She shook her head and came back to reality. “Yes. Would you like to dance?”

“Sure. I thought you would never ask.” He winked at her.

Ethan
pulled out her chair. Madison noticed a couple of the women turning their noses up when they passed by their table.

“Eat your hearts out, ladies,”
Madison said as Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I’ve wanted to sweep you off your feet since the day I met you.”

“Is that why you spilled that drink on my brand new shoes?” She pulled back from him a little and looked in his face and smiled.

“I had to do something. How else would I have gotten your number?”

She leaned in closer to him. “You’re right. I never would have given you my number.”

He blew in her ear. “Never?”

Madison found it hard to keep her balance. “I would have if you asked.”

He stopped blowing in her ear. “Glad to see I haven’t lost it.”

“You haven’t lost me either,” she said softly, not sure if he heard her over the music.

They danced for the next two songs. 
Ethan held her hand as they walked back to the table.  After they got seated, the waitress brought out their food.

“This looks good,”
Madison said about her stuffed shrimp.

“I hope it tastes good.”

They ate in silence while enjoying the café’s ambiance.

Madison
glanced at her watch. “Ethan, I’ve had a nice time, but it’s getting late and I’ve had a long day,” she told him.

“This has been a long day.” He stood, walked around to her chair and pulled it out for her.

She waited for Ethan to pay for the meal and drinks. After placing some money on the table for the tip, Ethan reached for her hand and they walked out doors.

“I’m parked right over there.”  She pointed.

“I’ll walk you to your car.”

Madison
didn’t want the night to end. For a few hours, she was able to forget her problems at work and all other issues.  She found her keys and turned off her alarm. “I guess this is good night,” she said as she opened the door.

“
Madison, wait,” Ethan said as he reached for her arm. She turned around. “Come back over to my place so we can really talk. I know it’s late, but I feel there are some other things we need to clear up.” 

Madison
took her hand and placed it around his neck and pulled his lips onto hers.

“Everything is cool now. I have dinner at my folk’s place tomorrow, so I’ll call you afterwards.”

He exhaled. “I’ll be waiting on the call.”

She got into the car and waved at him as she backed up and pulled away.

“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” Frederick said through the phone receiver to Ethan who had just pulled out of the driveway.

“How many times are you going to ask me the same question? I was prepared to do it yesterday, but I didn’t feel like the time was right,”
Ethan stated.

“Better you than me,” he added.

“I called you for encouragement.”

Frederick imitated Kermit the Frog as he spoke. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Me and commitments don’t get alone.”

Ethan had to laugh. “You must have cheated your way through school because I know your retarded behind didn’t earn a three point five GPA on your own.”

“I plead the fifth, and on that note, I’m about to let you go,” Frederick said.

“Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. She loves you. And I love you too, man.”

“Is Freddie getting mushy on me?”

“Bye
ETHAN,” Frederick said before hanging up.

I know I wasn’t invited to dinner, but this can’t wait,
Ethan thought as he drove.
He turned on the wrong street at first, but ten minutes later, he parked right behind Madison’s car. He hoped her folks wouldn’t mind an extra mouth to feed. He checked his pants pockets and walked up the walkway.

After he reached the door, he had second thoughts. He turned to walk away when he heard Napoleon say, “Son, where are you going? I know you didn’t come all this way to turn around.”

“Sir, I wasn’t sure if I was welcome,” Ethan said.

Madison
’s father reached out to shake Ethan’s hand. “I saw a shadow come up the driveway and when I didn’t hear a knock I came to see who it was.  I see I almost missed you. No need to turn away.  You’re always welcome here, son.”

“You still don’t know do you?”
Ethan asked.

Napoleon had a puzzled look on his face. “Know what?”

Ethan stopped. “Maybe we should talk out here.” He pointed to the chairs on the porch.

“You should probably sit down.”

“It must be serious.” Napoleon sat down and didn’t blink an eye.

Ethan
was nervous and made sure he was standing a few feet back. If Napoleon’s reaction to him and his daughter’s deceit was what he thought it would be, he didn’t want to be in arms length of his wrath.

“I don’t know where to begin.”

“The beginning always works for me,” Napoleon said sternly.

Ethan
looked up in the air and then back into Napoleon’s emotionless face. His palms were sweaty. How could he tell this man that Madison and him were not really married and had been living a lie for the past four months? He took a couple of deep breaths and began telling him how he and Madison met.  Once he got started, it became easier and easier to tell Napoleon everything. He left out certain things such as Madison being a virgin and the situation with Sarah claiming to be the mother of his child.  After confessing to Napoleon how he felt about his daughter and his intentions, Ethan waited for a response. Napoleon remained quiet. Ethan couldn’t figure out whether it was a good or bad sign, because his face still held no emotion.

***

“What’s taking Dad so long? I’m hungry,” Adrienne exclaimed.

“I’ll go see,” Gerald said.

Madison
was oblivious to what was happening around her.  Her heart was heavy from all of the lies. She missed church again because she didn’t want to lie in the sanctuary.  Her mom looked at her disapprovingly when she walked in the room.

“
Madison, if you can go out, you can get up in the morning and give the Lord a few hours of your time,” her mother scolded.

“I watched one of the TV ministries
,” Madison said in her own defense.

Ethel shook her head. “Now child there’s nothing wrong with doing that. But the Lord likes for us to fellowship with one another. You’ve said yourself that going to church gives you the fuel you need to deal with your hectic week.”

Madison looked down on the floor. “It does, but there’s so much stuff going on. I don’t feel right.”

Before she could finish, her Dad said, “Look who I found at the front door.”

Madison looked up and saw Ethan standing between her dad and Gerald.

Ethan
hugged Ethel. “Hi Mrs. Allen,” he said.

“Hi yourself.
Madison told us you had to work,” Ethel said.

Madison
couldn’t bring herself to look at anyone. “I’m glad you’re here,” she softly said.

“I bet you are,” Napoleon commented.

Ethel ignored Napoleon’s comment. “Madison, what are you waiting on? Go get an extra plate and silverware out the china cabinet,” her mother instructed her.

Madison
wanted to ask Ethan why he was there, but didn’t. She obeyed her mom and followed them into the dining room.  Her family was happy to see Ethan.

Napoleon stated, “
Ethan you sit up here next to me. Madison, I want you sitting right next to him.”

“Yes sir,”
Madison bashfully said. 
Something’s not right.

Madison
squirmed in her seat. Adrienne was watching her when she looked up and gave her a curious stare.  Madison wanted to lick her tongue out at Adrienne, but she knew that was an immature act. So she straightened up. 

Napoleon stood at the head of the table and said, “I’m glad to see everyone is here once again safe and sound. Before we start dinner, I want to give
Ethan a chance to say something.”

Madison
whispered in Ethan’s ear, “What’s going on here? You’re not supposed to be here.”

“
Madi, let Ethan speak please,” Napoleon firmly said.

Everyone looked at Napoleon as if wondering why he spoke so harshly.

Ethan stood up. She heard him clear his throat a few times. She felt like fleeing the room, but she didn’t have the nerve or the strength to stand up.

“Thanks, Mr.
Allen,” Ethan started.  “I’m here today to clear up a few things. I’m here today because there is no other woman in the world I would rather spend my life with.”

Madison
watched Adrienne pull her chair closer to the table and put her elbow on the table and hand under her chin so she wouldn’t miss a word that came out of Ethan’s mouth.

Madison
turned and looked at him and said, “Ethan don’t.”

“
Madison, I know I promised you I wouldn’t say anything to your family,” Ethan said regretfully, “but I want to do this right. I tried doing it your way and it didn’t work. I probably should have talked to you about it, but I’m the man and I must stand on what I know is right.”

Madison
held her breath. She looked at her father and noticed a smile. She looked up at Ethan. “What are you saying?”

As if they were the only ones in the room,
Ethan looked into her eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. He pulled the chair out further, got down on one knee and reached for Madison’s hands.

“I’ve asked your father’s permission, so
Madison Allen, will you take me, Ethan Campbell, as your husband, to have and to love you all the days of my life?”

“I thought y’all were already married,” Pam curiously said.

“It’s too late to be proposing now,” Adrienne shouted.

“Y’all be quiet!” Napoleon shouted as he slammed his fist on the table.

“What’s going on here?” Ethel asked.

“Trust me,”
Madison heard her father say.

“
Madison, did you hear me?” Ethan asked, holding his breath.

Tears fell from her eyes. She looked around the table at her family. She saw her father shake his head up and down. She smiled and looked at
Ethan and in a light whisper said, “Yes.”

“What was that?” Napoleon asked.

“Yes,” she repeated. “Ethan, I will marry you.” Ethan placed the two-carat diamond cut ring on her finger.

“Now will somebody tell me what’s going on?” Ethel asked.

Ethan got off his knees and sat down beside Madison. Not once did he release her hand. Madison got the courage she needed from the strength she felt in his hands.

Napoleon said, “I’ll let
Madison tell you. The floor is yours, baby.”

Ethan
added, “He knows.”

“Everything?”
Madison questioned. Ethan shook his head. “This isn’t going to be easy.”

“Spill it out,” Adrienne said as she sat back and crossed her arms.

Madison sighed and began telling her family about her and Ethan’s relationship. No one said anything as she spoke. Ethan put his arms around her shoulders for support.

“I know you’re wondering why we, I mean
I
did it. I’m not making any excuses, but I hope you all can see it from my point of view,” Madison concluded.

“It’s hard to figure out why someone would lie to their family
for months and then get other people involved,” Pam stated as she looked between Madison and Ethan.

“Every time we get together,”
Madison began to reason, “the first thing out of everybody’s mouth is ‘when are you getting married? Why isn’t Madison married yet?’ Or ‘something must be wrong with her if she hadn’t snagged her a husband by now.’”  She looked at her mom and noticed tears in her eyes. “I actually did think something was wrong with me until I met this guy.” She looked at Ethan. “I had already lied about being married, but he was my knight in shining armor. He was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy.”

Ethel spoke for the first time. “He shouldn’t have lied for you.”

“I know, Mom, but he did. It might not be right, but he was only trying to make
Madison
happy,” Madison said in defense of Ethan.  “For the first time a man put
me
first. Even when he thought it was a crazy idea.”

“You got that right!” Adrienne shouted.

“Hold on, Adrienne,” Madison said.  “Don’t go judging me. You’re the one who kept telling me I needed to hurry up and get married so I could have kids. For six months straight, every conversation we had evolved around me being single. You tried to fix me up with every guy you knew.”

Adrienne looked away. “I was only trying to help,” she explained.

Madison looked around the room. “I know and I love you for it, but couldn’t y’all see the anguish you put me through?  I know it's been tradition for the women in the family to all marry before twenty-one but this is a new day. I'm only twenty-two and I have an entire life ahead of me. I have plenty of time to marry. That's how I felt before now. Before Ethan. All of this has been so stressful. I just wanted to make y'all happy and proud of me. Even with my good grades and a great job, it seemed like you were still disappointed that I wasn't married."

Madison's
hands began to shake and tears streamed down her face. 

Ethel stood up and walked over to her. “Dear, I’m sorry for any part I may have had.”

“It’s not your fault, Mom. I shouldn’t have lied. I bowed down to the pressure.”

“Give us a minute,” Ethel said. 
Madison stood up and followed her mom. Adrienne and Pam walked behind them.