Her First (5 page)

Napoleon Allen sat proudly at the head of the table.  He hadn’t said much since Madison and Ethan had arrived. His only concern was his daughter’s happiness.  Once everyone was seated around the table, he spoke out.  “I have to admit I was a little skeptical about meeting my new son-in-law, especially since he didn’t ask me for my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Everybody remained quiet. All eyes were on
Madison and Ethan. Ethan squeezed Madison’s hand under the table.

Napoleon continued, “Son, after seeing how happy you’ve made my daughter, I want to officially welcome you into the
Allen family.”

Sighs of relief could be heard around the table.
Madison’s stomach turned. She felt bad because she knew it was all a charade. She faked a smile and almost squeezed the life out of Ethan’s hand.

The rest of the dinner went by uneventful. Small talk was made. Most of the questions were directed at
Ethan. Ethan, not sure of what Madison had already told them about him, was forced to ad-lib on some of the facts they had just discussed in the car on the way over. Madison remained quiet.

Madison
noticed Adrienne’s quizzical look. Each time she caught Adrienne staring, Adrienne flashed that same wicked smile, the same one she‘d flash across the dinner table when they were children and she was holding something over one of her brother‘s or sister‘s head that would be sure to land them at least a week of punishment.

After dinner, the men took on the job of clearing away the table. Gerald chimed, “
Ethan, in this house, since the women do most of the cooking, the men wash the dishes. Well, only if there’s not a major game on. Then Mom allows us to get by without kitchen duty.”

Ethan
was concerned about Madison since she hadn’t said more than a few sentences. “I’ll be in there in a minute, Gerald. I need to talk to Madison for a minute.”

Gerald winked. “I understand. I was like that when April and I first got married.” He then vanished into the kitchen.

Ethan pulled Madison to the side and embraced her. He lowered his voice and said, “I can tell something’s wrong. You can either tell me now or later, but either way, we’re going to talk about it.”

Madison
felt uneasy about lying and even more so with her nosy sister Adrienne snooping around. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry about it.”

“If it affects you, it affects me.”

She pulled away and began walking off. “You’re taking this a little too far aren’t you?”

“Excuse me.”
Ethan reached out and grabbed her arm.

“This whole thing was a mistake. I’m going to tell them the truth and that’s it.”

Ethan was confused about the sudden change of events. “It’s your choice, but do you think your family will forgive you after you’ve made a fool of them?”

Madison
’s eyes filled with tears. Ethan picked up a napkin off the table and wiped the tears as they began falling from her eyes.

“
Madison, please don’t cry. It’s going to be alright,” he comforted her.

“
Madison’s what’s wrong?” Adrienne asked when she walked in the room.

Madison
straightened herself up and responded, “Nothing.” As she looked into Ethan’s eyes, she said, “Ethan informed me he’s leaving out of town tonight for a two-week trip.”

Ethan
was caught off guard, but followed Madison’s lead. “Yes, and I waited until the last minute to tell her because I didn’t want her to worry about me leaving again.”

Adrienne’s voice was showered with concern. “
Madison, you know you can always call me or anyone else in this family if you get lonely.”

“See, baby, I told you everything would work out.”

Madison felt trapped. “I hate to do this to everyone, but I think I’m ready to go. I don’t want to spend the last few hours with my husband around my family.”

“I’m sure everyone will understand,” Adrienne reassured her.

“Ethan, wait right here while I go tell Mom and Dad we’re leaving.”

As
Madison walked away, Ethan looked for a trashcan for the tear-stained napkin. Adrienne stood right behind him. “If you hurt my sister, you’ll have me to answer to,” she said out of nowhere and without hesitation.

Startled,
Ethan responded, “I have no intentions of hurting your sister.”

Adrienne still displayed an attitude. “You’d better not. I know about traveling salesman and the kind of life they live.”

“I’m not that type of guy.”

“Um huh. Just don’t do anything you’ll regret.” Adrienne turned away and quickly left the room.

Ethan and Madison said their good-byes to everyone and was on their way.

“I still don’t trust him,” Adrienne blurted no sooner than the door closed behind them.

Her remarks made Gerald angry. “Look, why don’t you stop being so negative.”

“And mind your own business,” her father added.

Adrienne didn’t respond to them directly but instead mumbled under her breath, “My sister’s business is my business.  You can best believe that.”

Madison remained quiet on the drive back to her place. Ethan was debating whether he should break the ice, or let her get herself together before discussing what happened at her folks’ place.

Once they arrived at her house,
Ethan walked her to her front door. “Madison, we need to talk. What happened back there?”

Rolling her eyes,
Madison responded, “I don’t know, you tell me.”

“I was doing you a favor, so why are you giving me a funky attitude?”

Madison rolled her eyes and lashed out. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Right now, I can’t stand being around you like this.”

Madison’s feelings were hurt, but she didn’t let Ethan know. “Whatever. Thanks for the favor...even though I think it was a mistake.  It’s all a façade.” She reached for the necklace.

“A mistake, huh?  Look, you can keep the necklace. Let it remind you of what we could have had.” He stormed away and got into his SUV.

Madison wanted to call out to him and tell him to stay, but her pride got the best of her.

She watched as he backed up. He stopped for a moment as if contemplating on whether to leave or not. The sound of screeching tires brought tears to
Madison’s eyes.

She heard her phone ringing as she fumbled for her keys. Without closing the front door, she rushed to the phone and sounded out of breath when she answered, “Hello.”

“How did it go?” the voice on the other end of the phone inquired.

“Charlotte, I thought you were
Ethan,” Madison sighed as she walked over and shut the front door, threw her purse on the plush living room chair and plopped down on the matching sofa.

“No. I was anxious to see how the dinner went.”

Madison’s hand toyed with the necklace Ethan gave her as she gave Charlotte details of the events leading up to Ethan’s speeding away. “Now what am I suppose to do?”

Charlotte responded by saying, “You should call
Ethan and apologize and then figure out how to come clean with your family.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t apologize to Ethan or you can’t tell your family the truth?”

“Both.”

Charlotte laughed and then abruptly stopped. “Madison, you have some serious issues. This goes deeper than I thought.”

“Whatever!”
Madison said as she found the television remote and flipped from channel to channel.

“I’m serious. You’re losing it over there.”

“I have everything under control.”

“Yeah right.”

Madison became agitated with her best friend. “Char, I hate to end our lovely conversation, but I have to go. Bye.”  Madison hung up without waiting on Charlotte to respond.

How dare she tell me I have issues?
Madison thought. 
Oh I have one issue and that’s everybody is always in my business. If people had stayed out of my business in the first place, it never would have gotten to this. I finally meet a nice guy who could be marriage material and now he’s mad at me. I can’t win for losing.

Madison
turned the TV off and went to her bedroom. She laid across the bed and thought about the events from the past few months; buying that stupid engagement ring, participating in that stupid wedding shower, having that stupid wedding celebration dinner with her family.  The only good thing that had happened recently was meeting Ethan. If it wasn’t for all that stupid made up stuff about an invisible husband, perhaps she wouldn’t have met the man that could very well be her future husband, her
real
future husband…one that everybody could see. 

Madison
reached over and picked up the phone and dialed Ethan’s number.  She got under the covers as she waited for him to answer. Disappointed that his voice mail picked up, Madison hung up. She threw the phone on the other side of her bed before closing her eyes.

***

Ethan decided not to answer when he saw Madison’s number pop up on the caller ID. He was still upset with her from earlier. He enjoyed her company and really wanted things to work out between them, but he didn’t feel like dealing with her attitude right now.

He sat up on the burgundy leather living room couch where he had laid down and collapsed in thought about what had just transpired between him and
Madison.  He then picked up the phone to dial his brother’s number, but inadvertently dialed Madison’s instead.

“Hello,”
Madison said in a gentle voice.

Ethan
held his finger over the disconnect button. He paused. “Madison?”

“I called to apologize.” She sounded more alert.

“I saw that you called and didn’t know if it was an emergency,” he lied.

“In a way it is. I hate to leave things up in the air.”

“Oh you got your point across loud and clear.”

“Look,
Ethan, I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. Lying to my family took more out of me than I thought it would.”

“So why are you doing it? Why don’t-”

Madison interrupted him. “I can’t. I have to pull this off or my family will never forgive me.”

Ethan
began to feel sorry for her. “I guess your apology is accepted. I can’t understand why you’re doing it. But if we’re going to make this thing work between us, I guess I’ll have to go along with it.”

Madison
sounded surprised. “Does it mean we’re cool again?”

A smile came across
Ethan’s face. “I guess. But we need to set up some ground rules if I’m going to help you fool your family and friends.”

“What kind of rules?”

“Hmmm, let me sleep on it and we can talk about it tomorrow.”

“You got me wondering what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“Miss Allen, you’ll find out tomorrow. Until then, get plenty of rest because you’ll need it.”

Ethan
hung up as he heard Madison ask, “What are you…”

He laid the phone on the cradle and walked up the spiral staircase to his two-room master suite. He couldn’t help speaking out loud. “She wants to act does she?  Let the charades began.”

Ethan woke up the next morning in a chipper mood. He dreamed of him and Madison in every sexual position imaginable. Although he agreed to take it slow with her, he knew it was going to be difficult to restrain himself much longer.  He woke up with emotions he didn’t know existed. It was because of her, he now had something else to occupy his thoughts instead of his next sale.

After getting dressed, he poured himself a glass of orange juice and a bowl of his favorite Captain Crunch cereal. His brother teased him about his choice of cereals. He had been eating Captain Crunch as long as he could remember.  He ate and placed the empty bowl and glass into the stainless dishwasher that matched the other stainless steel appliances in his kitchen. He grabbed his black leather briefcase and cell phone before rushing out the door.

He was halfway to work when his cell phone rang. Frederick’s name was displayed on the screen. He hit the speaker button.

“Hello,” he answered as he maneuvered between lanes.

“Man, where have you been hiding? Madison must have really laid it on you,” Frederick teased.

“It’s not even like that.”

“All I know is my little bro used to call me every day and now I barely hear from him.”

“Like you really care.”

“I do care.”

They both laughed.

Ethan slammed on his brakes after the car in front of him abruptly stopped.

“Damn!”
Ethan exclaimed.

“Man, you okay over there.”

“Yes, but somebody decided to go one point five miles in the fast lane. Now every lane’s jacked up.”

“You must be on
LBJ Freeway.”

“You know it.”

“So what's up with this Madison?” Frederick asked, getting back to the topic of conversation.

Ethan
took the phone off speaker and put in his earpiece.
It’s a long story,
he thought,
but since it looks like I’m going to be stuck in traffic, I might as well get a second opinion.

“Before I go into details, promise me this conversation will stay between us,”
Ethan said.

Frederick was silent for a second. “I promise. Now what’s the deal?”

He updated Frederick on his and Madison’s situation.

Frederick laughed uncontrollably throughout the entire conversation.

“Stop laughing. It’s not even that funny.”

“Yes, it is. Now I know why
Lifetime
is television for women because, man, what you just explained to me sound like the making of
Lifetime
movie.  And on top of that, I can’t believe you’re going along with it, and her family and friends must be crazy not to see through her game.”

“Man, I told you it’s complicated.”

“I wouldn’t touch that situation with a ten-foot pole or with my remote control,” Frederick laughed.

“I know I just met her, but I really think she’s the one,”
Ethan said over his brother’s laughter.

“Man you got it bad.”

Someone blew their horn at Ethan as he jumped in front of them. “I don’t know what it is about her, but I’ll do whatever I can to keep a smile on her face.”

“I’ll have to talk to Charlotte about her girl.”

Ethan took the Hillcrest Road exit. “I have a plan, but I hope it doesn’t backfire on me.”

“Before you say anymore, are you sure she’s worth it?”

“I know she is.”

“Whatever you decide to do, I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you know when I work some of the details out.”

“You know there’s a bright spot to all of this, don’t you?”

“What?” Ethan curiously asked.

“Since you’re pretending to be her husband, you should take advantage of her wifely duties.”

Ethan laughed. “Don’t even go there, man.”

“I’m just trying to help
you out. You've had a drought so this works out for both of you. Let me go. Tell my
not-really-my-sister-in-law
I said hi,” Frederick teased.

“Bye,”
Ethan said as he ran a yellow light.

***

The day at work was typical for Madison, except for the fact that she couldn’t get thoughts of Ethan out of her mind. She checked her voice mail at home, on her cell phone and at work and she had yet to receive a call or message from Ethan.

Did I dream our whole conversation?
she thought.   When he called last night, she was dosing off. She was happy to hear his voice and glad they were now speaking again.  She was curious to find out what he meant by setting up some ground rules.
At least, he’s willing to help me with my dilemma.  So what’s a few rules?

Madison
was startled when Owen walked up to her desk and said, “A penny for your thoughts.”

“It's none of your business.”

“I was only concerned. You don’t seem like your normal self.”
Owen sat down in her extra chair.

“It’s nothing. I’m tired.  I haven’t adjusted to juggling work and marriage yet.”

He leaned in closer as if he didn’t want to miss anything. “Tell me more.”

Madison
looked down at her notepad. “I’ve said enough.” She looked directly at him with a frown. “Don’t you have work to do?”

Owen
stood up. “I guess so, since it doesn’t seem like I’ll get anything else out of you.”

Madison
’s mouth went from a frown to a smile. “Now you know I don’t tell you anything I don’t want repeated.”

He took his hand and placed it across his chest. “I’m appalled that you think I would break your confidentiality.”

With a bit of sarcasm Madison said, “Now why would I think that?”

Owen
pushed the chair back and before walking away said, “Don’t come running to me when you feel like talking. I’ll probably be too busy.”

“Bye
Owen.”

***

Five o’clock arrived and Madison still hadn’t heard from Ethan.

Oh well. I guess I was dreaming.

She was surprised when she spotted Ethan’s SUV parked in her driveway when she pulled up. He opened her door before she could get her seatbelt off.

“What a pleasant surprise,” she said.

Ethan helped her with her briefcase. “I didn’t get a chance to call because of meetings all day, but thought I would meet you here and possibly cook you dinner.”

Two double-beeps were heard as she turned on her car alarm. “I’m always game for a free meal.”

“Let me get the bag out of the truck and I’ll meet you inside.”

Madison
felt like skipping to her front door, but refrained. She was barely through the door when Ethan came from behind her.

“That was quick.”

“I only had one bag.” He laid her briefcase by the front door and carried the grocery bag to the kitchen.

Madison
yelled, “Let me get freshened up and I’ll help you.”

“I got it. Take your time,” he responded.

Madison began humming a song by Alicia Keys, one of her favorite singers.

She opted on a quick shower instead of a bubble bath. She sprayed on her favorite perfume and put on a comfortable pair of jeans and a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt.

She smelled an aroma of oregano and garlic as she made her way to the kitchen.  “A girl can get used to this,” she said upon entering the kitchen.

Ethan
turned around and was wearing one of her aprons. She tried not to laugh, but couldn’t hold it. “You look so cute.”

He poured a cup of chopped vegetables in a pot and stirred. “Don’t go there.”

“If you could see yourself in my apron, you’d say the same thing.”

“Keep joking like that and you’ll starve.”

Still laughing, Madison said, “Seriously, everything smells good.”  She walked over to the stove.

Ethan
placed the spoon close to her mouth. “Taste this.”

“Mmm, this is good,” she said after taking a taste of the sauce he spoon fed her.

With a splash of spaghetti sauce still on her lips, Ethan leaned down and kissed her. The sound of the stove’s timer going off broke their kiss.

“I agree. It’s very good,”
Ethan said as he turned off one of the burners. “Dinner will be ready in a minute.”

“Did I tell you Italian food is my favorite?”

“Yes, among other things.”

Madison
’s heartbeat accelerated. She had to get her hormones under control. “I’ll set the table while you finish up.”

Ethan
responded, “Okay.”

They worked in silence.
Madison sneaked a look at Ethan, only to catch him looking in her direction.

By the time she placed the silverware, plates and glasses on the table,
Ethan was bringing in the food.

As he sat two plates of spaghetti on the table, he commented, “It’s a little hot, but by the time we eat our salad, it should be ready for consumption. Have a seat.”

He pulled out her chair. “Thanks. You’re really spoiling me.”

He walked to the refrigerator to take out the salad and said, “I plan on doing more than that.”

He placed the bowl of salad directly in front of her before taking a seat at the glass kitchen table with a seating for four, directly across from her.

He reached for her hand. “Precious Lord, we thank you for this food we’re about to eat. Thank you for allowing our paths to cross. Amen.”

Madison, teary eyed, said, “Amen.”  He had prayed over his food the first dinner they had together, but he had done it in silence.  Now he was praying out loud for them both.

The only sound heard between the two at first was the clinking of silverware.

“Madison, after we eat, there’s some things I want to discuss with you,” Ethan stated.

Madison
went back and forth in her mind on what to say, but decided to see what was weighing heavily on Ethan’s mind first.