Chapter 15 #2
“Dante—”
“You go first,” Dante said. He placed his hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry I let Enzo get in my head, but I’m still upset with you for adding money to my split. I know you were trying to help me, but I want to—No, I need to do this on my own.”
“I’m sorry I went behind your back and did that. I won’t do that again.” He kissed her nose.
Madison slid her hands up Dante’s chest to wrap around the back of his neck. “I’m also sorry I ruined the engagement party.”
“It’s ok. It wasn’t ruined. Everyone is fine, we’re family.” Dante’s hands moved to cup her bottom and bring her in closer.
“Yeah, but I’m ashamed that I lashed out and tried to hit Enzo. That wasn’t right.”
“But you’ve hit someone before, right.”
She looked away. Did he know Enzo came to her place?
“Let’s be honest with each other. If we are, no one can come between us.”
“Enzo came to my place the night we were going to spend our first weekend together at your place a few weeks ago and tried to kiss me. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I slapped him and then kneed him out of the door.”
“I figured something like that happened. I want you to know you can come to me if something like that happens again.”
“I don’t want to come between you guys. Even though my family is dysfunctional, I still know family is important. Especially for you.
“That’s true, but you’re important to me too.” He pulled her closer to him. “Don’t leave me, ok?”
“Ok.”
They kissed and made up. When they came up for air, Dante said, “Let’s get you something to eat.”
“That’s ok. I’d prefer to stay in.” She undid his buttons and then tie, she let everything fall off his shoulders and down to the floor when her phone rang. “Sorry, I have to take this. It’s Henry.”
“What’s up?”
“They found a spot on my liver.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah. They want me to do a biopsy instead of the kidney transplant first. I might need to do a liver and kidney transplant. It depends on what they find. I looked at rescheduling the biopsy appointment. They can also do it next week.”
“No, don’t change the appointment, that’s fashion week. I won’t be able to do it then. This Friday works for me.
“But wouldn’t you be downgraded? Besides you don’t have to come for it, it’s a routine procedure.”
“I will, but I can’t not be there for you.”
“Maybe you should, take the job for me, that would make me happier than you giving me a kidney, or for you to show up for this procedure. You don’t have to be there the whole time if you want to come.
You can still do the interview and then come when I’m out of surgery.
We all need you to get this job. Your bartending doesn’t make enough to cover Dad and me. ”
“I can’t do well in the interview if I’m worried how you’re doing.
No, I don’t want to hear it. Dante already told me what he thinks.
I don’t need your opinion either. I’m doing this, end of story.
” Was the only reason he wanted to change it was because he wanted to help her secure the job that would net him more money from her?
“Fine, come over so I can give you the pre-surgery instructions. I’ll need you to take me for the liver biopsy so that you can drive me home and take care of me.”
“Sure, of course. So it will still be this Friday at noon?”
“Yes.”
“Ok, we’ll be right over.”
“We?”
“Dante will bring me.”
Dante lifted an eyebrow at her, but she knew he would agree.
“Thank you. I want to meet this guy who is going to be taking care of you. Also Dad and your mom will be there.”
Madison’s jaw tightened. Dante was still in his suit pants from the engagement party. She could tell it was expensive and her mom would know too. She hoped her mom didn’t embarrass her. “Great, we are on our way.”
She hung up and then looked at him.
Dante redressed himself, but he left the tie off. “Come, you can tell me how to get there.”
“Do you want to maybe change clothes?”
“Why? Are you going to?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change.”
“I’m not going to change. We’re wasting time. What is this have to do with anything?”
“Ok. I have to warn you my parents will be there too, and my mom might ask you for money, just so you know.”
“I think I can handle myself.”
“I don’t think you can’t. I just wanted you to know and know that I don’t expect you to give it to her if she asks. I would prefer if you didn’t or she will keep asking.”
“Noted. Let’s go.”
****
Dante arrived at Henry’s place and followed Madison up the apartment steps. Henry’s place was better than what Madison was living in thanks to Madison. It made Dante sick how her family took advantage of her and played on her sense of duty.
He hadn’t seen one of them offer to help her with anything. But she was out there busting her butt and willing to give up her chance at what she wanted most for her brother, who had given up what for her?
She knocked on the door. He remembered her being embarrassed at catching him having sex with Sabrina and figured to be on the safe side she wasn’t using the key. He couldn’t resist teasing her though.
“I think if your parents are there you won’t catch him doing anything.”
Her face darkened, and she looked at him with widened eyes. “Thanks for reminding me, not. I’m not using my key so my mom doesn’t know Henry and I have keys to each other’s places. If she did, she would make a copy and come into my place when I’m not there.”
The door opened, and there stood a tall bald black man. It made sense that Henry was tall because he had been a pro basketball player.
“Hey, glad you could make it.” He gave Madison a hug and then extended a hand to Dante. “Henry.”
“Dante.”
“It’s nice to finally meet the man that is making my sister so happy. Come on in. Our parents are back in the living room.”
Dante trailed behind. He didn’t like others walking behind him. He liked to be in the back so he could take everything in. He might not enforce or get his hands dirty, but he still had the family way ingrained in him.
The living room was furnished with black furniture and blue accent pieces. It was neat. A pet peeve of Dante’s was messy places. On the sofa was an older gentleman. He knew he was tall even though he was seated. As far as Dante could tell, Henry resembled their father.
Madison took after her mother and he could see why Madison’s dad gave her everything she wanted to the detriment of his daughter.
She was shorter than Madison but still had a trim figure.
Her hair was the same reddish brown that Madison’s was and her eyes were hazel, which explained Madison’s gold flecks.
He knew her dad was sick so he walked over and leaned down to shake his hand. “Hi sir, I’m Dante.”
“Madison’s boyfriend. You know she’s never had a boyfriend before. I hope you’re treating her well.”
Dante looked at Madison. He hadn’t known he was her first relationship. But he believed she had been saving herself.
“Dad.” Her eyes were big and imploring. “Way to embarrass me.”
“I just want to make sure he knows and doesn’t try to take advantage of you. I know how these young fellows behave.”
“Milford, that’s enough.” Madison’s mom stood. “I’m Elaine. It’s nice to meet you.”
Dante went to shake her hand and she stepped inside his arms and gave him a hug that was too friendly. Dante had an idea as to why Madison never had a boyfriend.
“Why not a hug?” She looked up at him and tried to rub against his crotch area. He stepped back, setting her away from him.
“We’re close to family.” She patted his chest, unwilling to take the hint. “You smell nice. Is that newest high-end cologne from France? The name eludes me.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re wearing a suit from that new designer that’s been in the news, is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Madison, let me take a look at you. Did he buy you this dress? It’s a nice design. I haven’t seen anything like it. I don’t recognize the brand.”
“It’s one of my own.”
“Oh. Well, maybe he will buy you something nicer. Can’t have my daughter wearing handmade clothes.” She moved back to sit next to her husband.
Dante couldn’t believe she had the nerve to put down Madison’s hard work. He looked around at the hurt expression on Madison’s face.
“Lots of people would be willing to wear Madison’s handmade clothes. Some of her designs will be shown at fashion week.”
“Yes, we know.” Madison’s mom tugged at the bottom of her dress. “I got the tickets, Madison. We will be there to see the latest and greatest.”
“And Madison’s work as well.” Dante spoke up.
“Of course, we will try to stay to the end for the amateur hour.”
Dante realized there was no point in saying how hard Madison worked and that it was more than just amateur hour as she put it.
“I still need to find something to wear.” Her mom smoothed her hands down her dress again while giving Dante the eye.
“Mom, I have a design that I wanted you to wear.”
“Something you made?” Madison’s mom didn’t even bother looking away from Dante to answer her.
“Yes.”
“No, thank you. You know I only wear designer pieces.”
“I am a designer.”
“Not famous, dear. Anyway, enough of this. Henry, what did you call this meeting for?”
Henry cleared his throat but said nothing about what Madison’s mother had said.
“I brought you here to discuss the biopsy. Even though I’m stronger and they scheduled me for this Friday, there is a risk that I won’t make it or that they find something else.
So I wanted you to be prepared if I don’t make it out of surgery. ”
“Don’t say that. Every surgery has that risk. Same with me.” Madison pointed to her chest.
Dante’s heart constricted at the image of Madison dying while giving something to her ungrateful family.
“I didn’t come here for an ‘I might die’ conversation.” Madison’s mother looked at her watch.
“It’s something that we need to be aware of and also the fact that because of the risk, you might not want to follow through on the kidney transplant, and miss your interview slot.
I mean I’m not sure on the recovery time for you.
Will you still be able to show your design?
Could it go on without you? We need you to get this job.
” Henry looked around the room. “Also, there will be nothing for you to do while they are doing the biopsy. So you could drop me off, use my car to do the interview, and then come back and get me once I’m out of the recovery room.
“I’m not changing my mind.”
Dante wished she would. He would talk to her when they left.
“An interview, dear. What for? I’m sure your nice young man will take care of you. No need to get a job.” Madison’s mom winked at him.
“Dante isn’t here to take care of me. The interview is for the fashion house.”
“Oh, that. Yes. I’ll be happy when this is over and you move onto something else. I want to be able to say something other than my daughter is a seamstress. What do you, Dante?”
“I work in finance.”
“Nice. Keep him around, Madison, and keep him close or he might find someone more experienced.”
“I forgot I have an early appointment tomorrow.”
“On a Sunday?”
“Money never sleeps. It was nice to meet you.” He turned around and reached for Madison. She walked over, and he wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him. He kissed the side of her head.
“Don’t worry. I always have you.” And he would for as long as she let him be a part of her life. He would be there for her.