The Role of a Husband

Jamie picked at the plate of salad Ms. Sharp had ordered for him, too nervous to eat much more than a few mouthfuls. He still couldn't quite believe he was sitting at a table with the woman he was going to marry, listening to his Momma talking politics and business with her in an increasingly loud and strident voice as she drank more and more wine. Ms. Sharp stayed much calmer and more sober, saying little and seeming rather bored with Momma's opinions. When she did offer anything up, Momma paused and listened intently, seeming to instantly agree with whatever the younger woman was saying even if it went against what she'd just asserted. For Jamie it was a little odd to see his stern and strong-willed parent fold so easily, but then Ms. Sharp had a kind of...presence to her. It made him a little weak at the knees just watching her, and when every now and then she'd turn her head and smile thinly at him over the rim of her wineglass he felt like she was staring right into his trembling heart.

"I just cannot believe it." Momma was saying now, her words starting to slur as she got onto one of her favorite subjects. "The way boys behave at the moment, it's utterly appalling. Strutting about dressed like sluts, getting on television just to wave their bulges and asses about in our faces, even sleeping around before they're married!" She paused a moment, her eyes going wide like she'd just remembered saying all that wasn't exactly wise when she was supposed to be offering her son up for his wedding. "Not my Jamie of course, he's a good boy." She put in quickly, before hurriedly gulping down another swallow of wine.

"He has behaved himself very well so far" Ms. Sharp nodded, her casual remark sending heat flooding to the boy's pale cheeks. Her dark eyes flickered back to him, slowly moving down his chest in a lingering way that left him very much aware of how tight this dress was. "I do tend to agree with you on that, Ms. Holiday." She continued coolly, glancing back at Momma now. "Very much so. It's a sad indictment of our modern age how young men are allowed to strut about without the female guidance they so desperately need. It's not their fault, not entirely at least. Boys need to be married off young and quickly, to well-established women of good character."

"Exactly!" Momma smacked a hand down on the table, making Jamie wince. Ms. Sharp's eyebrow flickered up and her lips curled. "That's how it worked when I was young, and that's why I'm doing this for my son." Momma continued, hardly seeming to notice the younger woman's rather obvious irritation. Jamie sunk into his chair, wishing she'd just stop drinking and keep quiet already. Didn't she realize how much she was embarrassing herself and him? In front...of someone so refined and wealthy like Ms. Sharp too! "He needs a wife now he's of age, a good wife like you'll be!"

"Of course I'm sure the money I'm paying for his hand had nothing to do with it." Ms. Sharp smirked sarcastically. Momma flinched, cheeks flushing from more than just the wine. She opened her mouth, then seemed to think better of it, taking another long gulp from her glass. "In any case, to continue on from the subject we were discussing..." She turned suddenly to Jamie, who gasped in shock as her dark eyes found his, and her smile turned rather warmer. "I have a couple questions for you, Jamie, just a few things I've been meaning to ask tonight. First, I wanted to know what you thought the role of a husband was in a good marriage." The boy froze at the unexpected question, his mind going utterly blank as his wife to be addressed him again for the first time since ordering his meal for him. She smiled patiently as he just sat there, unable to even find the words to begin. The role of a husband...what did she mean by that? What did she want him to say?

"Speak up Jamie!" Momma hissed.

"I'm talking to him now." Ms. Sharp snapped, giving the older woman a cold glare. Momma shrank back, before hurriedly pouring herself another glass of wine like that was all she'd meant by it. "I know you're nervous and that's alright." Ms. Sharp continued, her voice much gentler as she turned back to Jamie with that same patient smile. "But I'm going to be your wife soon. I just want to hear your honest thoughts on the subject, that's all."

"I...think a husband should support his wife, ma'am." Jamie managed to stammer nervously, hoping he wasn't saying the wrong thing. She nodded encouragingly, drawing more out of him with just that expectant look. "He should...keep her house, cook for her and make sure that she can relax in peace and quiet when she comes home from work."

"Good, Jamie." Ms. Sharp nodded, her genuine approval making his belly flutter wildly. She...was such an imposing woman, to hear her praise him like that was kind of dizzying. "I'm glad some boys your age still think about how they can be good husbands. That all sounds very nice. It isn't all that's important for a husband though. Have you heard the traditional wedding vows the groom speaks during the ceremony?"

"Yes ma'am." Jamie nodded hurriedly. "He promises to love, honor and obey his wife." His cheeks glowed hot as he imagined himself standing in a church in front of this tall, wealthy and powerful woman speaking those same words from behind a white veil. That was going...to be happening to him soon, only it still felt so unreal.

"Again, well done." Ms. Sharp replied. "We'll be having a traditional wedding, so remember those words. I'll want to be hearing them from you soon." Jamie nodded again, biting his lip as she gazed intently at him across the table. That piercing stare made him feel rather small and silly, which...he supposed he was compared to a strong and capable older woman like her. "The things you mentioned, making my life easier and helping me relax, that is all very important, and it's part of honoring me as your wife by fulfilling your duty as a husband. A lot of men nowadays misunderstand that. They get it in their silly heads that there's something wrong with supporting the woman they're married to and think they should run around trying to make money on their own instead of starting a family." Her lips curled in obvious disapproval and she tossed her head. "But anyway, a good boy like you doesn't need to hear that." She smiled again, continuing evenly. "Moving on to the other two parts of a vow. Love is...something we'll work on together. I think you will come to love me, even though we may not know each other all that well just yet. Which leaves the last part, obeying me. Do you understand what that means, Jamie?"

"I have to...do what you say, ma'am." Jamie ventured uncertainly.

"Exactly." Ms. Sharp nodded. "In any marriage that's going to last, the husband has to understand he's going to have to always listen to and obey his wife. You boys are too fragile and emotional, especially at your age. It makes you so very adorable, believe me, but it also means you're just not equipped to make difficult decisions. You need an experienced older woman to take you in hand and guide you through life with love and care, but also with firm, consistent discipline when you make a mistake and need to be taught to do better. Once we're married, I'm going to be taking on that role for you, so I'll be expecting you to behave properly, understanding that I will always know what's best for you. I'm not meaning to be a tyrant, we can discuss these things if you have something you want to tell me, but my decision on everything will be final, always." Her voice was gentle enough, but there was a firm conviction behind her words that made Jamie just want to go along with everything she said. She had...such a strength to her, only not like Momma's icy sternness that just made him want to run and hide. She seemed warmer and more understanding in some ways, but also so much firmer in what she said. He had the strangest sense she'd be a lot stricter with him if she felt like he'd been naughty, but...also that she'd take the time to sure he understood exactly why every time. "Do you understand all that, Jamie?" She asked, gazing across the table at him like he was the only boy in the world.

"Yes ma'am." He nodded, without a moment's hesitation. Her rich, green eyes sparkled at his answer, and for a moment he felt like he was drowning in that delighted stare. It wasn't even a question....he already knew he'd do pretty much everything she told him to.

"Good boy." She smiled, her perfect teeth sparkling. Jamie shivered in his seat, his belly fluttering madly at the thought this amazing, handsome lady was pleased with him. "Now, finish up that cute salad while your Mother and I see to arranging the ceremony." Her piercing gaze fell back on Momma who stiffened up with a gasp. "It seems I'll be footing the bill, right? It's a rather large break from tradition, but considering the circumstances we don't have much choice do we?"

"No, I guess not...Ms. Sharp." Momma replied quickly, her hand darting up to wipe her sweat stained brow with a napkin. Just like his wife to be had told him, Jamie grabbed his knife and fork and went back to his salad, sitting up straight in his chair and tucking his elbows in. Ms. Sharp seemed like she'd care a lot about table manner, and he really didn't want to disappoint her now. He focused on finishing as Momma and Ms. Sharp started discussing the church where they wanted the marriage to be held. Of course he was interested in his own wedding...but then it wasn't his decision, was it? He was going to be good, like Ms. Sharp wanted, and do what she said.