by Jan Carol
"Could supper wait a while?" Ethan followed her to the dining room, watching as she bent across the table to set it.
Turning, she mocked a hurt look. "After I slaved over that hot stove for hours, you want to eat it cold?" Standing with empty hands, she walked to him, put her arms around his middle and kissed him as she had expected him to do when she opened the door to him.
"Do that again," he spoke as she walked back into the kitchen, "and there won’t be food or anything else thought about until morning. There would be a few people pretty upset if you didn’t show up tonight."
Returning to the table with two pots, she smiled up at him. "I’m not going anywhere tonight, Ethan." She took on a sexy tone, as well as her expression, leaning her backside against the table. "I was so upset, I told Donaho to clear tonight because I wasn’t up to singing."
"All right." Ethan took on a serious look. "Is everything in here?" He followed her into the kitchen bringing the salad, dressing and seasonings to the table, while she brought milk and two glasses.
"I guess that’s about it." After setting the things down, Ethan helped her sit in the chair. "I hope you aren’t a picky eater. This is always a quick fixer when in a pinch with unexpected company."
"Start talking. I want to know everything that has happened this past week. Don’t give me the lace trimmings, I want the whole thing." He seated himself across from her, ignoring what she had said.
While they ate, Jenà related the things he wanted to hear. There was no change in his expression, just in the air about him. She knew he was growing angrier by the minute, but not at her.
"Is that everything?" He set his fork down; his plate was empty.
"Isn’t that enough? I can see what he’s saying about not wanting to let me go without giving it another shot. But not when it goes against everything I want." She’d remained calm through the meal, leaving almost half of hers untouched. Standing, she began clearing the dishes off the table.
Ethan stood behind her, his arms sliding around her middle. "Leave them tonight. I’ll help you with them in the morning."
Closing her eyes, the temptation was almost too much. "No. It will only take five minutes to do them. You can wait that long, can’t you?"
Inhaling deeply, he released her, picking up what she couldn’t carry. "I’ll try, but I’m making no promises."
His smile was nearly enough to change her mind, she had to turn from it. "How was your drive over? I find it very tiring."
"Very." He agreed, setting the plates in the sink. "If it had been up to me, I’d have gone right to bed when I got here. But since you slaved so long in getting that delicious meal put together, I thought the least I could do was enjoy it, which I did."
Feeling playful, she did a curtsy as she thanked him. "You poor man." she said as she straightened. "And now the queen of the house is making you wash the dishes to pay for your meal. How terrible she is. You’d think she’d be happy that you enjoyed it so much."
"Let’s just get them done." He teased back. "I detest dirty dishes. You wash, I’ll dry." Looking around the kitchen, he located a towel. "At least you’re a clean cook."
When they were finished, Jenà turned to him, taking the damp towel from him. "Now see, it didn’t take any time." Putting the towel over the drainer, she smiled. "Now, sir, you have my undivided attention. If you care to give me a run down of what your plans are, I’ll see if I can comply with everything you wish to do."
"Let’s see." Ethan drawled out. "First I want to turn off all the lights. Second, unplug the phone. Third, I want to hold you in my arms. Fourth..."
"So far so good. Let’s leave the rest to surprise, shall we?" She hooked her arm in his, walking out of the kitchen as she flipped the light off. "Light number one. Off." In the living room she bent down and unplugged the phone cord from the wall. "Phone dismantled, and light number two..."she turned the knob on the lamp by the telephone. "Off. Hm-m-m. It gets dark in here, doesn’t it?"
Through the hall, she was his guide. "You need to go to the bathroom? Get a drink? Want a story read to you?" He spoke to her as if she were a child.
"There’s only one thing I want." She heard him ask what that was with a single sound. "I want you to know I’ve never had a man in my bedroom before. I don’t know if I can do this, Ethan."
His arms came around her, stopping her flow of childishness. "I love you, you little flirt." His kiss was deep, searching, sending her off into a land where she cared about nothing at all, except him.
Until a thought came to her mind, one that had been nagging at her all week, though she hadn’t done anything about it. "Ethan?"
"Hm-m-m?" He continued attacking her neck as his hands were busy ridding her of the clothing.
"We need to talk about some kind of birth control. I mean with the wedding..." She was hushed as he covered her moving lips with his.
When he was sure she couldn’t say any more, he picked her up and placed her now naked body on her bed. As he joined her, he gave his answer. "I want you just as you are, as natural as nature itself. We talked about having a family. For me, the sooner the better."
"Are you going to talk all night, or teach me more about loving you?" Her arms went around him, pulling him to her.
<<<< >>>>
SITTING IN the inner office, Jenà watched as Ethan read the many different framed papers hanging on the walls. Donaho had found a few semi-successful people in his eighteen year career, her sister being the best he’d had. Jenà would be his biggest now, he kept telling her. Sorry, Donaho, her mind repeated the words she had always told him. I can’t. I won’t. He wouldn’t send her down the street looking for another agent because maybe, just maybe, he could change her mind.
Ethan continued reading when the door was opened, letting the older man into his office. "Jenà." He greeted her as if there had been no misunderstanding between them. "I’m glad to see you looking so much better this morning. You haven’t been waiting long, have you?"
"No, Donaho. We’ve only been here five minutes." She stood, walking to Ethan. "Donaho, I’d like you to meet Ethan Ayers, my fiancè."
"Ayers." He repeated the name as if he were trying it out for the first time. His hand outstretched, he took the few steps between them. "I’ve heard the name before. Can’t recall where."
"Donaho." Ethan acknowledged the man, ignoring his comment. "I’ve come in to see what can be done about things like yesterday." Ethan didn’t believe in beating around the bush. "I came in last night and found that Jenà has had some problems with you and someone named Hargrove."
"All an innocent mistake, really." The older man walked around his desk, making himself comfortable, giving them the sign to sit in a chair on the other side of the large piece of office furniture. "I admit, I was trying to persuade Jenà to change her mind, but Hargrove went too far. I had a talk with him, and it won’t be repeated."
"No, it won’t. I also want to talk about this contract between the two of you. Is there a copy here? I’d like to read it." He hadn’t taken a seat as offered, he preferred to be on his feet.
"Jenà should have a copy." He looked at the woman, expecting to hear an answer from her. "But I can get one for you. If you insist."
"I do." The words were easily spoken, but were meant to get no argument in return.
Pushing a buzzer on his large phone, he sat back expecting the door to open, which it did. "Get me a copy of the Wisdom contract, would you, Ellen? Mr. Ayers would like to go over it with Jenà." When the secretary had closed the door again, he continued to talk as if there had been no interruption. "I’m sure you’ll see that it’s all legal and binding."
"I’m sure I will. Jenà tells me there is a clause that states there will be no pushing any further than the night clubs and parties that she’s willing to do." Ethan now took the chair beside his woman. "I understand, too, that you were Darlene’s agent, is that right?"
"I was, yes." His face showed surprise at being asked that question out of
the blue. "That’s how Jenà and I got to know one another, and that is also the reason I know Jenà can make it. She’s a natural, just like her sister, maybe better." Donaho sat on the edge of his seat, folding his hands on the desk. "Darlene had everything that Jenà could have. It was tragic that she had to die so young."
"You know it was what she had that caused her death, Donaho." She stood, walking to the window that overlooked the busy street. "You also know how I feel about all that." She felt Ethan behind her, his hands on her shoulders as he turned her to him.
"I’m sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have brought your sister into this." His words were comforting, as were his arms.
"It’s okay, Ethan. I have to learn to put Darlene in the past. I have you now." She let him hold her until the secretary returned with the papers asked for.
She handed the stapled copy to her boss, leaving the room again. Ethan led Jenà to the chair, helped her to sit down again, then reached for the papers, looking over the front page carefully. "You wouldn’t mind if we went somewhere to read this and come back to discuss it?" He addressed Donaho, his brown eyes finally coming up from the papers to meet the other man’s.
"No, I don’t mind. Please do. I think the more you know, the better for all." He stood, looking at Jenà. "You will be at the Casino Georgia this evening, won’t you?" She could detect a bit of threat coming.
"I’ll be there with bells on, Donaho. You know last night was the first time I missed any engagement due to illness or..." Leaving it at that, she knew he would get her message. "Three and a half years should be a record of some kind." She stood beside her man, ready to leave when he said so.
"We’ll be back after lunch, if that’s all right." Taking her arm, they left when Mr. Donaho gave his silent approval.
<<<< >>>>
IN A park, at a picnic table, Ethan went over each clause with her, as her lawyer and father had done years ago. As he read and spoke his thoughts, her fingers outlined the patterns in the table made by pocket knifes. "It’s all there. I can see several ways to get out, but I suggest you stick to it for the next six months. I’ll give this copy to my lawyer and have him work out a clean break by then." He folded the legal size pages in half and in half again. "So, lovely lady, where to now?"
"Home." Her answer was simple.
"Your wish is my command. Let’s go." He stood, taking her hand.
"It’s a bit over a five hour drive." She was serious as she looked up at him with her blue eyes pleading with him to really mean what he had said.
"Five hours?" He was puzzled for just a second. "I wish I could take you home with me. It would be so easy to do just that."
"It’s my home too, Ethan. This apartment seems so... Oh, I don’t know." There was melancholy in her voice. "It just isn’t my home anymore." She walked beside him, holding his hand.
"I’m glad you feel that way. The next six months are going to be pure hell, but it will go fast." His promise sounded as if he could really make it so.
"If it goes as fast as this last week, it will be too slow for me. It doesn’t seem like just Monday I left you. It’s more like months ago." When they reached his car, she sat in the passenger side, waiting until he was beside her before speaking again. "As long as you come on the weekends, I may survive it."
"You look a little tired. I think I kept you up a bit too late last night." He looked concerned, but wasn’t sorry he’d been the cause of her nearly sleepless night. "A good nap is in order, as soon as I have another talk with your agent. No," he spoke as it came to him, "you should try to sleep while I’m talking with him. I don’t want you upset any more."
"I’d rather be there." As she spoke, she thought about how she sounded, so untrusting of him. "I guess you’re right, though. I do need some sleep. You’re a big boy and can handle yourself."
"A big boy, am I?" His grin was boyish then. "When I get you back to the apartment, I’ll show you what kind of big boy I am." As he drove, he enjoyed hearing her laughter again. The sound was like music to his ears.
"I’ve missed you, Ethan." She had become serious again. "It sounds like an eternity until we’ll be getting married."
"Well, just remember who it was that suggested the long wait in the first place. I was totally against it, until I thought it out. It makes perfect sense, even now." He pulled into the underground garage area, parking next to her car.
<<<< >>>>
AFTER A three hour nap, Jenà was in the kitchen fixing supper, wondering why Ethan was taking so long. Was Donaho giving him some problems? Before the chicken had completely thawed in the microwave, she heard him come in. Pushing the buttons to finish defrosting the meat, she went into the living room to greet him.
"I was beginning to worry about you. How did the meeting go?" She was in his arms, feeling the dizzying effect he always gave her when he kissed her.
After a deep breath, he answered her. "Everything is going to work out just fine. Philip will have a new contract for you to sign Monday morning. It’ll be for six months, and there won’t be any pushing you in any direction." Ethan pulled in a good amount of the air from the room. "Got something cooking? I thought you were supposed to take a nap."
She smiled up at him. "It’s just chicken thawing, and I took a long nap. I figured I should start something so we could eat before I have to go to work. Have you decided what you’re going to do while I’m preoccupied?"
Walking behind her into the kitchen, he took a chair from under the table. "I’m going to enjoy the evening watching and listening to you." His statement was simply said. "And tomorrow night I’ll do the same. Unless you object to having me in the audience." The last words were spoken with a little hesitation.
"Of course not." She sat on his lap, putting her arms around his neck. "I didn’t know if you would want to. It can get boring hearing the same songs over the next two nights." Teasing him, she ran her finger over one ear, down his jaw.
"I could listen to you sing the same song a hundred times, and still want to hear it again." Nibbling at her finger, he found her standing too soon, the buzzer had gone off. "Eight to midnight, right?"
Nodding as she pulled the platter out of the oven, she set it on the cabinet.
"Chicken and dumplings?" His smile grew as she nodded.
Jenà got her first break at ten. Walking through the crowded room, she made her way to the table where Ethan sat alone. Many of her friends were there, and she acknowledged them as she walked by on her way to sit beside him.
"You look absolutely radiant when you’re up there." Ethan placed a kiss on her cheek. "I can’t see how you couldn’t want more. Your singing brings much joy to you, doesn’t it?"
"It’s what I like to do." Her voice was flat, not wanting to hear any more. Standing, she greeted a couple that had come to their table. "Betty! I’m glad you came."
"I had to come bother you. I want you to meet Charles." Leaning forward, the woman whispered, "We’re getting married next month."
"I’m happy for you! Ethan," she turned to the man who stood beside her, "this is Betty Lamb, and Charles..."
"Charles Christensen." The man supplied for her.
"This is Ethan Ayers, soon to be my husband." She let the men shake hands before taking her seat again. "Won’t you join us? I’ve only got ten minutes."
"You sound wonderful, as always." Betty started talking first, not giving anyone else the chance. "I’ve always envied you."
"I’ll tell you, Betty," Jená had become serious, "sometimes it’s as much a curse as a blessing. All I want is to enjoy doing what I can do, while everyone wants to make money with my voice. You wouldn’t believe the fights I have with my agent. He’s the one who stands to make the most, and he can’t stand the fact that I don’t want it."
"Looks to me like it’s you that would be making money." Charles spoke up. "Personally, if it was Betty’s voice, I’d be for looking at a way to set her up in Branson or somewhere." He spoke to the man who sat across from him.
"I wouldn’t be sitting in any nightclubs, myself." Betty told him, as well as her fiancé. "I would enjoy the heck out of seeing my name in lights."
The conversation went on until Jenà stood, hearing the soft piano music coming to an end. "Well, it’s that time, again." She wasn’t ready to go back on stage. Bending, she kissed Ethan, leaving him something to think about. "I’ll be back."
Patting her behind as she passed him, he watched as she walked away. "That’s one hell of a woman." He said to no one in particular.
Roger appeared from one of the side tables. "Jenà." His whispered call stopped her. "I’ll play, if you want to do Love’s Stranger."
After giving it about three seconds of thought, she agreed. "Yeah, I’d like that. Go for it, Roger." As she walked on stage, she watched the musician take his place at the piano. Picking up the microphone rather than her guitar, she spoke into it. "I’ve found my personal piano player, and he’s agreed to play a special song for me." Winking at Roger, he picked up the cue to start playing the prelude. "It’s something new, something we’ve only found this week. I’d like to sing it to one special person sitting out there. Ethan, this is for you."
As she finished speaking, she started singing the words. Her eyes were on the man she had fallen in love with. His, in turn, were on her. Between them were a lot of people, but in their eyes there was only the two of them. A small murmur around the room could be heard, if one was listening for it, as many of the people were in conversation.
When the song came to an end, the room was filled with noise. Jenà could almost equal it to the caliber that brought the walls of Jericho down. Nodding thanks to Roger, she picked up her discarded instrument and beginning to strum it. Even she couldn’t hear the sounds coming from it, as close to it as she was. Ignoring the crowd, she began another song, knowing that they would calm down faster if she was singing to them.
