Beginnings

by Yolanda Stokes

  Regina laughed, “Oh you mean Derrick, he was having a little problem with division and I helped him get a better understanding of it and now he isn’t afraid of it any longer,” she answered.

  “His grandmother is normally a tyrant, but today all she could do was sing your praises. Saying how happy she is that her daughter-in-law picked this center for her grandson to attend. When for the last couple of months she’s been threatening to take her grandson out and place him somewhere else.”

  Regina laughed picturing the woman saying just that and it still gave her a warm feeling when she was able to help a child understand the work.

  “Are you ready to go?” Ethan asked joining them on the bleachers.

  “I’m ready when you are all I have to do is go home and take a nap, while you on the other hand have some running around to do.”

  Ethan groaned, he’d forgotten all about the things he’d wanted to do before their date, “I’d totally forgotten about that,” he said rising. Ethan thanked his friends for showing Regina around and yelled goodbye to the guys and with his sweaty arm possessively around Regina’s shoulders as they left.

  “He’s got it bad and he’s only known her a damn week.” Roland commented to his wife.

  “I remember you being the same way when we first met. I have a feeling she is in the same shape that he is in.”

  Roland felt much better hearing her say that. His wife’s people radar was always on point and if she picked up on a good vibe from Regina then he would accept it…for now.

  “We can reschedule dinner if you want,” Regina offered when they pulled into her driveway.

  “Are you trying to get out of having dinner with me?” Ethan countered.

  “No,” she said chuckling, “I know that you have some things to take care of and I don’t want you rushing around to complete them just so that you can make it back for our date.” She said cupping the side of his face.

  “I only have to run one errand and it isn’t anything big. I promise to be careful and make it back in time for our date.” Leaning forward he captured her mouth with his for a deep sensual kiss that had his hunger for her springing to life. He pulled her into his arms pressing her body against his, letting her feel evidence of his desire.

  She gave him a quick nip on the lips before she climbed out of the car and headed inside.

  He had to sit there for a while trying to get his body under control. He was tempted to stop by his place for a cold shower, but he didn’t want to be late and he’d promised Regina that he wouldn’t rush. Ethan let out a deep sigh and backed out of Regina’s driveway and set off to complete his errand feeling very excited and a little anxious about his date with Regina.

  Chapter 8

  Madeline waited until Chester took the girls out back to play on the swing before she called her mother. She had to find out if her mother knew what was going on with Ethan and she hoped that she would have an answer as to how they could stop it. Madeline knew Chester didn’t understand why she had a problem with Ethan dating Regina, but she just didn’t have time to explain it to him. Her thoughts were interrupted when her mother answered.

  “Hi Madeline I see that you guys made it back.”

  “Yes mom, we just arrived home. Mom I wanted to know if you’d talked to Ethan while we were gone.”

  “Of course honey, especially since my grandbabies were there. They told me about how much fun they had with their uncle Ethan. Why do you ask?”

  “When we picked the girls up I found out that the twin’s kindergarten teacher is Ethan’s new neighbor.”

  “Yes I know, the girls told me. They were so excited when they’d invited her to go with them to the zoo. I believe she really helped Ethan out a lot just by being there.”

  Madeline wasn’t sure she liked what she was hearing from her mother, “Well did they tell you about Ethan kissing her?”

  Lola Thompson frowned at her daughter’s question. It wasn’t so much the question itself, but the tone of her daughter’s voice “No they didn’t mention it to me but I’m guessing they mentioned it to you?” She countered.

  “Yes when we were there to pick the kids up Maryann mentioned him giving her a kiss asking him if he was going to give Regina another kiss.” Madeline told her mother about the other comments the kids had made.

  “Well I think it’s about time your brother was kissing someone and not spending so much time working.”

  Madeline was stunned at what he mother was saying, “You mean you don’t have a problem with him seeing her?” She demanded.

  “Why would I have a problem with him seeing Regina?” Lola asked her daughter.

  “Mom I know you’ve met Regina when the twins started school,” Madeline responded as if that explained it all.

  “Yes I have met her and I think that she is a wonderful person and she is great with kids.”

  “Yes she is a wonderful person and she is great with the kids, but mom she happens to be black,” her words were met with total silence.

  “Um well Madeline like I said I have met her and I’m well aware that she is black, but what does that have to do with anything.”

  Madeline couldn’t believe what she was hearing, how her mother could make that kind of statement. “Mom, tell me that you don’t condone him seeing Regina. She is black and you know it won’t work and Ethan will end up getting hurt.”

  “No Madeline I don’t know that he will get hurt and neither do you. What I do know is that I’m tired of your brother living and breathing Thompson Investments and it is long past the time for him to have a life outside of the family business. Now I hope you haven’t said anything to him to discourage him from seeing Regina.”

  Madeline sighed not believing what she was hearing, “Mother, you simply can’t be okay with Ethan dating outside of his race. Just think of all the problems that he’s going to face,” she said impatiently.

  “Madeline honey, your brother is a grown man and has always made his own decisions and if he decides that he wants to have a relationship with Regina is his choice and is no concern of ours. As long as whoever your brother is dating makes him happy then that is all that I care about. Now I suggest you stop worrying about your brother’s love life and focus on your own. I love you and I will see you on Sunday for dinner.”

  Madeline stared at the phone after her mother had hung up still not believing that her mother didn’t agree with her. She’d thought about calling her father, but then she discarded the idea knowing her father would side with her mother. Slamming down the phone she turned and froze finding Chester standing in the doorway, “Um where are the kids?” She asked stalling.

  “They are in the backyard playing in their dollhouse that their uncle Ethan and I built for them. Would you like to explain to me why you have a problem with your brother seeing Regina?”

  The question was asked in such a chilled voice that she felt the chill creep up her spine, “You left the girls out there by themselves?” She commented stalling.

  “I told the girls that they could play for a few minutes before they had to come in and unpack their things, now answer my question,” Chester demanded walking further into the study.

  “Chester he is my baby brother and I don’t want to see him hurt.” Madeline snapped feeling as if he were backing her into a corner.

  “So you think that just because he is dating outside of his race he’ll be hurt. What he can’t be hurt by someone in the same race?” Chester challenged. He continued before she could speak, “So the fact that Karen fucked your cousin behind his back didn’t hurt him, hell she is as white as they come and because she thought Frank Jr. is going to be the next person running Thompson Investments, she fucked him without giving a thought to Ethan.” He could tell by the shocked look on her face that she had no idea of what had happened between Ethan and Karen. “So what did you mother say?”

  Madeline tried to recover from what her husband had just told her and what he’d told her effectively dispelled her
argument, “She said she was just happy that he was interested in someone and it was time for him to have a social life outside of Thompson Investments. I just don’t see why you guys can’t see why this is a bad idea. You know the family is looking for a reason to stop the sell of the company.”

  “What in the hell does the sell of the family business has to do with who Ethan is seeing? The sell has been voted on and approved by the board members and only your Uncle Frank and Aunt Rose are trying to stop the sell and you also know that the only reason for it is because their damn kids are jealous of Ethan. They always have been and always will be.” Chester turned to walk away, but stopped turning back to face his wife, “I really don’t understand why you are making such a big deal, he’s only taking the woman out to dinner and spending time with her. Who’s to say that this will be anything more than a quick affair?”

  “I don’t know how you could have missed it. You are right though he just met her and has only known her for a week, but you didn’t see the way he looked when he talked about her or the way he looked when he said that no one was going to stop him from seeing her. He’s already acting like a love sick puppy.”

  “Is that so damn bad?”

  “Yes it is.”

  Chester shook his head knowing that he was wasting his time, “You know I am really having a hard time believing that the woman I love and have loved for most of my entire life is prejudice.”

  “I am not prejudice,” Madeline snapped furious that he would label her prejudice.

  “What in the hell do you call it, just because you are okay with Regina as a teacher, but you can’t abide with the thought of your brother dating her, but you aren’t prejudice. Madeline I’m going to tell you this once, leave Ethan and Regina alone.” Without saying another word he turned and walked out of the room leaving her staring after him.

  Ethan rang the doorbell and waited nervously for Regina to answer the door. He didn’t know why he was so nervous, but he wasn’t going to allow it to discourage him. His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, his mouth dried up instantly and his heart pounded rapidly in his chest. She was absolutely beautiful, her long and silky hair hung in jet black waves down her back. She wore a shimmering red halter dress that hugged her full breasts gently and lovingly and was tapered at the waist flaring out just above mid thigh. Her beautifully long legs were bare and she wore a matching pair of strapless heeled sandals. His eyes returned to her beautiful face and he noticed that she wore no make up and the truth be told she didn’t need any, “My God you are beautiful.” he said.

  “You aren’t too bad yourself,” Regina said softly having a hard time getting her breathing under control. He was gorgeous wearing a tailor made charcoal grey Armani suit. His jet black hair shimmered like a raven’s wing flowing just past his shoulders. Her hand itched to tunnel through it, but she forced her hands to remain at her sides. “Let me grab my purse and wrap and we can head out.” When she turned Ethan noticed the way her nice rounded ass swayed as she walked. Her hair shifted giving him a glimpse of her silky smooth back and he wondered if it was as soft and silky as it looked.

  The Italian Bistro was a wonderful restaurant and Regina had been impressed by the place the one other time that she’d been there with Melba after a big shoot. “I’ve only been here once before, but I loved it,” she confessed once they were seated at their table.

  “I had a business meeting here and I was impressed with the service and the food,” he said, but what he didn’t say was at the time he’d thought about bringing a special woman here for dinner, “So what are you plans for tomorrow?” Ethan inquired.

  “I’m going to early service and then to my parents for Sunday brunch, I’ll stay long enough to help her prepare the food. I know I won’t stay to much longer after that considering my aunts and uncles and cousins will be there.”

  “You sound like you aren’t too excited about seeing your extended family,” Ethan commented after their waitress had refilled their drinks.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I love all my family, but I do have one that is so jealous and some of the younger ones tend to follow her because she promises them things and because they are so impressionable they don’t realize that she is lying to them.”

  He saw the pain and frustration before she was able to mask it and he understood how it felt, “Well, why don’t you call me when you leave and I’ll meet you at your place.” He offered.

  “Where are you going to be, I don’t want to take you away from anything important.”

  Ethan smiled, “I’ve decided to surprise my mother by joining the family at church and I’m sure she’ll expect me there for lunch, so you call me and I’ll meet you at home when you leave. I’ll even prepare dinner.”

  “How about I prepare dinner at my place, you made dinner the last night the girls were over so it’s my turn.”

  Unable to stop himself, he leaned over the table to capture her mouth with his tasting her sweetness along with the wine.

  “Would you like dessert?” Their waitress asked smiling down at them.

  “I would love whatever you have that includes chocolate cake.” She said excitedly.

  “We have a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, filled with warm melted chocolate topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

  Ethan laughed at the excited look on Regina’s face as the waitress described the dessert and he wondered if her eyes would glaze over like that when he made love to her. He promised himself that they would and he’d see to it.

  They shared the dessert and he had to agree it was delicious. He looked up when a tall leggy blonde walked up to their table. She smiled down at him with a calculating look in her eyes while she addressed Regina.

  “Regina, it’s so good to see you I’d heard that you’d turned in your resignation and I didn’t get a chance to see you before you left. I hope that you’ve found something else as I know how the job market is now days.”

  Ethan frowned, apparently this woman didn’t know who Regina was or who she was related to, but he said nothing.

  “Hi Melody, it’s good to see you too, don’t worry I’ve already found something else that is more fulfilling than dealing with spoiled rich kids.” Regina noticed how the woman never looked her way, but continued to stare at Ethan who was totally ignoring her. “Are you here by yourself?” Regina asked.

  “Uh no I’m here with my f…friend and as I was on my way to the ladies room when I spotted you and decided to stop by and say hello. And you are?” Melody said extending a hand to Ethan.

  He ignored her outstretched hand and said, “I’m with her,” he said smiling over at Regina. This time she leaned over and kissed him seeing the storm clouds building as she knew he didn’t appreciate the way Melody was practically ignoring her and staring at him hungrily.

  Melody took the hint, “Well I hope everything works out for you.” She said before walking away.

  “If the kids were anything like her I can see why you weren’t happy at that school.” He commented after the blonde stuck up bitch walked away.

  “Ethan, don’t let her get you upset, besides I can’t blame her for staring, you are a very handsome and fine ass man.” She said silkily.

  “I only want you staring, no one else,” he responded running the back of his hand against her cheek. The waitress cleared her throat to get there attention hating the fact that she’d had to interrupt them. They were such a wonderful couple and they looked good together.

  “I told the chef how much you enjoyed the food and he wanted to know if you’d mind if he came out to meet you.”

  “No we wouldn’t mind it at all,” Regina assured her.

  Ethan smiled shaking his head as he watched her charm the chef just as she had the rest of the staff and when the person responsible for the dessert came out she was greeted to the same warm and wonderful charm. He wasn’t surprised that she’d given them both a warm hug before they’d left. As they walked out he couldn’t help pulli
ng her into his arm for a kiss feeling lucky that she had come and was leaving with him.

  ******

  “Now you remember when your family starts getting to you just give me a call and I’ll meet you back here.” He told her as he stood on her front porch.

  “I won’t forget. You sure you don’t want to come in for some coffee?” She offered.

  Ethan shook his head knowing that if he went inside he’d do everything in his power to get her into bed. “No I think it would be best if I go on home so that you can get some rest. If I come in it will be really hard for me to continue to be a gentlemen and not talk you into bed on our first date.”

  His words touched her like nothing else, Joe hadn’t even tried to hide the fact that he’d planned on getting her into bed on their first date and with him she had the will power to make sure that it didn’t happen, but she knew with Ethan she would have surrendered right where she stood if he’d asked. She slipped her arm around his neck running her fingers through his hair as she brought his mouth to hers. The kiss was deep and sensual filled with passion and promise. When the kiss ended she softly said good night and closed the door locking it behind her.

  He wasn’t sure how long he stood there before he turned and walked off the porch and began to walk home. He stopped when he heard her call out to him that he was forgetting his car. With a wave he walked back to his car climbed in and drove to his home parking the car in his garage.

  Chapter 9

  Ethan walked inside the church that he’d grown up in and searched for his family. His nieces spotted him first and with their excited squeal his mother and father turned around to chastise them, but froze upon spotting him, the joy he saw in his mother’s face made his return all the sweeter.