“It,” he repeated.
“Sex.”
“I told you I don’t have a problem with it,” he said nonchalantly.
“I don’t think you understand.” Madison removed herself from his embrace so they would be facing one another.
“Enlighten me,” Ethan said with a concerned look on his face.
Madison looked him directly in the eyes. “I’m willing to give us a try, but I don’t want sex clouding either one of our judgments. I want to be sure there’s more than a physical attraction.”
“For me it is,” Ethan stated.
“Good, because I think waiting to have sex will enhance our relationship. It’ll give us a chance to know each other better.”
Ethan pulled her back into his arms and said, “When we do have sex, I want it to be because we both know beyond a shadow of a doubt that neither one of us is going anywhere.”
“Exactly.” Madison gleamed.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’ll be hard because you’re a desirable woman, but building a lasting relationship with you is more important to me at this time.”
Madison hugged Ethan tight and asked, “Where have you been all of my life?”
“Waiting on you.”
Chapter 7
Madison felt guilty about spending the entire weekend being lazy. She didn’t go to work on Friday, nor did she take care of any of her weekend errands. But the number one thing she felt bad about was that she’d overslept and missed church. As she got dressed, she was thankful that God had brought Ethan into her life. She made a silent promise to God to attend Wednesday night’s Bible study since she missed Sunday service.
After being at her place for the entire weekend, Ethan went home to get a change of clothes. After telling Ethan her dilemma about not having the husband her family expected to see at their monthly Sunday dinner, he suggested that he make his very first appearance as the mysterious husband. Madison told him that he didn’t have to do that for her, but he insisted.
“It’ll be our little secret,” he assured her.
She agreed when he flashed his killer smile. Madison knew she would never be able to resist those dimples of his.
They spent the next few weeks getting to know each other better. Madison hadn’t felt this at ease in a long time. With Ethan agreeing to attend her family dinner, she was able to relax her nerves.
Madison was putting on her lipstick when she heard her doorbell. She finished putting on her lipstick and then messed with a few strands of hair. She made it to the door but then had to go back into her bedroom to retrieve her purse with her keys in it. By the time she made it back to the door, the doorbell had sounded a second time.
“Sorry,” she said, answering the door where Ethan stood waiting. “I had to get my keys.”
He took her hand and led her to his Silver SUV. “No problem. I thought you were having second thoughts.”
“Oh, you’re not getting rid of me that fast, mister.”
“That’s exactly what I like to hear.”
They rode in silence for the majority of the trip except when Madison blurted out little facts about herself that her family might ask him and Ethan did the same about himself.
Madison gave him directions to her parent’s house. As they pulled into a residential area, Madison commented, “I thought you were going to change your mind. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did.”
Madison pointed to a dark brick-red split-level house.
“I’m a man of my word,” Ethan responded as he parked in front of her parent’s house.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. It’s not every day a woman finds a man who’s as caring as you are… and willing to do the insane.”
Ethan interrupted her. “Before we go in, I wanted to give you something.”
She remained quiet. Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “I know we’re still getting to know one another, but I know enough to know that I want you in my life. Please wear this pendant as a symbol of what the future can be. When you feel you’re ready to make a commitment, say the word and we can upgrade it to a ring."
Madison knew that if a fly flew around her now, he would be able to find a resting spot in her mouth, because she was speechless. “I don’t know what to say. I never expected this. Everything is happening so fast. We can take it slow. We don’t have to rush it.”
“So Ms. Allen, is that a yes?”
She jokingly responded, “It’s Madison and yes it is.”
Ethan removed the necklace from its box and placed it around Madison’s neck. After making sure the clasp was secure, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. They were caught up in the passion and didn’t stop kissing until they were disturbed by a knock on the passenger’s window.
“It looks like we’ve been busted,” Madison said as she straightened her dress before opening the door. “That’s my nephew, Jerry Junior, but we call him Junior.”
She opened the door and gave Junior a hug. Ethan walked around and Madison introduced them. They followed Junior into the house to the foyer. The entire family was lounging around in the living room waiting on the guests of honor to arrive.
Ethan took Madison’s hand and kissed the outside of it before giving her hand a reassuring tug as they headed down the foyer and walked hand-in-hand to the living room. When they reached the living room, all eyes were on them. Madison cleared her throat and announced, “Hi everyone. I know you all were wondering if we were going to show up.” She paused and took a couple of deep breaths before continuing, “I want you all to meet Ethan Campbell.”
Ethan flashed a smile before completing Madison’s sentence. “Her husband.”
***
Everybody crowded around them. You could tell the family resemblance because all of the Allens had high cheekbones and some had emerald eyes like Madison. In attendance were Madison’s two brothers, Gerald and his wife April, and Jerry and his wife Janice. Her two sisters, Pam and Adrienne, were also there with their husbands, Louis and Edward. Madison’s father stayed in the background and observed from his dark green lazy-boy chair that sat positioned in the middle of the room. Her nieces and nephews were running throughout the house.
Each member of Madison’s family reached out to Ethan with open arms. The men gave him a hearty handshake, while the women gave him tight hugs. Finally, Gerald led him to their father. Madison’s mom, Ethel, directed her to the kitchen. Her sisters walked right behind them while her sister-in-laws went to see about the children who were making their way through almost every room in the spacious house. It was the same house Madison and her brothers and sisters had grown up in.
Ethel flashed an approving smile. “Madison baby, he looks like a winner. Why did you hide him from us?” she said as she walked over to the refrigerator and took out a pitcher of lemonade and then a pitcher of tea, placing them both down on the newly updated black and gray marbled kitchen counter.
Madison cleared her throat. “I was selfish. We don’t get to spend much time together, so I wanted him all to myself.” She began assisting her mother by gathering glasses from the cupboards.
“I see why, because he is gorgeous. He makes Brad Pitt look like mince meat,” Pam said while everyone else laughed.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but something doesn’t feel right.” Adrienne frowned as she sat down at the kitchen table, the table that was now used as the kid’s table while the adults dined in the formal dining room.
Madison ignored her comment and proceeded to get plastic cups for the kids.
Pam, who sometimes instigated the sibling rivalry, asked, “Adrienne why do you say that?”
A wicked looking smile spread over Adrienne’s face. “Madison, you’ve only known him a short while. Nobody in the family has met him until now and so we’re supposed to accept him into the family? Are you sure you really know him? He looks like one of those playboy types. Why did you go to Vegas when everybody knows in this family, we
always have church weddings?”
Ethel jumped in before an argument started. “Adrienne, it doesn’t matter, he’s family now. So please keep your comments to yourself. Ethan is part of this family now, and if your sister is happy, then that’s all that matters.”
Madison hugged her mom. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Now ladies, I didn’t work all day at this hot stove for my food to get cold. Pick up one of the bowls or platters and help me get everything on the table,” Ethel ordered.
They each filled their hands with glasses, beverages and platters and headed towards the dining room. Ethel cooked a big southern dinner fit for royalty. She had baked a ham, roast, made mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, candy yams with fresh dinner rolls and a peach cobbler for dessert.
“I think you out did yourself this time,” Madison stated as she placed the glasses she had carried in her hands down at a setting and headed back to the kitchen.
Adrienne walked back into the kitchen and stood next to Madison and whispered, “You’re hiding something and I’m going to find out what it is.”
Even as kids, Adrienne always stayed on the other siblings heels in an attempt to catch them in the act of something that was sure to land them punishment or embarrassment. It was clear that she still hadn’t grown out of her childhood tactics as a result of sibling rivalry.
“Whatever. Just because your marriage isn’t what you want it to be, there’s no reason why you should try to find something wrong with mine.” Madison tried to control her anger, but failed.
They were both giving each other the “evil eye” when Ethan walked into the kitchen.
“I hope you ladies aren’t talking about me with that look on your faces,” he joked.
Adrienne reached out and hugged him. “Now don’t worry about what we were talking about, brother-in-law. Just make sure you don’t remain a stranger.” She then turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Ethan looked at Madison. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“It’s a family affair.” Madison looped her arm around his and they walked out the kitchen.
Chapter 8
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.”
Chapter 9
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 t
he 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.
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