That did it. The crowd went wild, not only praising God for the trial Derrick and his family had experienced, but for the storms that He’d brought them through. Derrick’s short speech was about all of the preaching that happened that day. The rest of the service was pretty much a praise party. And for Derrick Montgomery—a man who’d looked death in the face and lived to tell about it—he wouldn’t have had his first day back in the house of the Lord go any other way.
60
Love Me Down
I
t was just after 9 p.m. and Kelvin and Princess were headed to the airport. They’d enjoyed every moment of the time they’d spent with the Montgomerys—from the spirited church service to the boisterous dinner after church where no less than thirty people gathered in the upscale Beverly Hills home, to the intimate gathering of people who afterward remained to bask in the glory of Derrick’s recovery. Even as they’d left, a remnant remained: Lavon and Carla, Hope and Cy, and fellow LA mega-minister Stan Lee, who’d passed along his evening service duties to his assistant minister so that he and his wife, Passion, could come and share the day. That’s why the Petersens hadn’t felt bad in leaving; they knew that the Montgomery household would be a busy one for days and weeks to come. But as for these newlyweds, they were more than ready to go back to Phoenix for some quiet time . . . and each other.
“That was good, baby,” Kelvin said, placing his arm around Princess’s shoulder as he stretched his long legs out in the limousine.
Princess nestled her head against his shoulder. “Uh-huh. Uncle Derrick looked so good. And Aunt Viv was so happy.”
“Everyone was.”
“Uh-huh.” After a pause, Princess continued. “I’m glad about you and your dad’s relationship . . . that you two are so close.” There was a time when Princess doubted that would happen, especially after Kelvin’s refusal to attend church got him kicked out of the Montgomery abode.
“Yeah, me, too. When I was growing up, I couldn’t imagine a life with my real father and now, well, I can’t imagine one without him. And speaking of... have you talked to your father?”
Princess sighed and turned so that her body was leaned against Kelvin’s as she looked out the window. “No, and I’m not sure I want to.” Even though well aware of their problems through the years, including her father’s infidelities, the news of her parents divorcing had been devastating. But Princess didn’t know the half of it. It would be another two months before she found out why her parents split up, and that another Brook sibling was on the way.
“It’s going to be all right,” Kelvin assured her, with a kiss to the top of her head. “Divorce isn’t as taboo as it used to be.”
Princess sat up and swatted his arm. “That doesn’t make it right!”
“I didn’t say it did. I’m just saying that it happens, and that people are able to pick up the pieces and go on with their lives.”
“Can we change the subject? This one is depressing and after such a wonderful day, it’s bringing down my high.”
“Yeah, I can change the subject,” Kelvin drawled, running a lazy finger down Princess’s arms and leaving goose bumps along the way. “In fact, I need to let you know what’s going to happen once we get on the plane.”
Princess’s brow creased in confusion. “What?”
“We’re going to become members of the Mile High Club.”
“What’s that?”
“An exclusive group of couples who’ve made love in planes.”
Princess nestled back against Kelvin. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah, really.”
“And what if I don’t want to become a member?”
Kelvin’s chuckle was low and cocky. “Just wait until we get on the plane and close the privacy door. I’ll make you want to be a member. Trust me.”
They reached the hangar for private planes and were quickly ushered inside the jet. While Kelvin requested a meat, cheese, and fruit platter along with a bottle of pricey bubbly from the flight attendant, Princess made her way to the back of the plane, a tastefully decorated room that rivaled a five-star hotel suite. There was a living, dining, bath, and office area, and the wine-colored leather couch converted to a queen-size bed. She placed her purse on the dining room table, sat on the couch, idly picked up a magazine—and her jaw hit the floor. She blinked, sure that she’d misread the heading that virtually blared from the cover page of a tabloid magazine:
KIKI MINOR PREGNANT AND READY TO WED
!
Princess’s eyes shifted from the heading to the picture below it—a happy and smiling Kiki clinging to a handsome and satisfied-looking Rafael.
Wow, he’s getting married.
Princess was surprised at the longing she felt at the sight of her former best friend. Not for a love affair—she truly loved Kelvin. But before she and Rafael were engaged to be married, they were dear friends. She missed their camaraderie honed through shared interests. She missed their playful teasing. In short, she missed Rafael.
She’d turned to the story and was reading it as Kelvin entered. “Put that down,” he said, snatching the magazine from her and tossing it on the table before he plopped down beside her and took her in his arms. “We’ve got better things than reading to do.”
“Rafael’s getting married,” was Princess’s response.
“For real? Him and Kiki?”
Princess nodded. “She’s pregnant.”
Kelvin looked closely at his wife. “What, you sad or something? Why the hell you care about any of that?”
“I don’t care,” Princess insisted. “Not in the way you mean. But Rafael and I have been friends since we were like nine years old. We used to share everything. . . .”
“Damn, Princess!” Kelvin pushed away from Princess and turned to observe her. “It sounds like you miss him and shit.”
“I miss someone who used to be a friend.”
“Oh, so I’m supposed to be cool with that? What if I told you that I missed Fawn? Would you be understanding about that?”
Princess whispered, “It’s not the same.”
“So what’s different?”
Princess looked at Kelvin in a huff. “Rafael and I were platonic friends. You and Fawn were fucking.
That’s
the difference.” Princess hadn’t even realized that her halo had slipped a notch or two and her inner sistah-girl was on full display.
Their repartee was interrupted as the pilot knocked, came into their quarters, and after a moment of small talk informed them that they’d be airborne in five minutes. It was enough time for both parties to calm down: for Princess to look at the situation from Kelvin’s point of view, and for Kelvin to do vice versa.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he said as soon as the pilot closed the door behind him. “I understand you still having feelings for your boy. I just don’t like to know about it, that’s all.”
Princess turned to look at Kelvin, her eyes clear and sincere. “Rafael is a good human being, a kind, decent, and intelligent man. While I don’t regret it, I feel bad for how our . . . relationship ended. I regret that even now, Rafael still refuses to speak to me, that I don’t know whether or not I have his forgiveness. Please don’t misunderstand where I’m coming from, Kel. I’m happy for Rafael and Kiki, glad that he’s found someone to love and someone who obviously loves him back in the way he deserves. While I didn’t know Kiki all that well, I always liked her. I think that they’re a good match, and I’m happy they’re having a baby. I just . . . I just pray that someday Rafael and I can put aside our differences and who knows? Maybe God will grant another miracle like the one he gave Uncle Derrick where the four of us can actually become friends.”
The flight attendant arrived with their tray and the champagne. Kelvin walked behind her as she left and locked the door. He walked back to where Princess sat, taking off his shirt in the process. His eyes were black with desire, his countenance one of quiet determination. He reached for her leg and without words, proceeded to take off her heels.
“What are you doing?” Princess breathlessly asked.
“What does it look like? I’m getting ready to help us work up an appetite before we cool down with nice glasses of bubbly. I’m getting ready to sex you straight into the Mile High Club.”
An hour later, they landed in Phoenix. And one would have sworn there was something in the water because a membership to the Mile High Club wasn’t the only thing this couple experienced. A month later, Princess would discover that she was about to have more in common with Kiki than she realized.
61
I’ll Always Love You
A few months later...
M
ama Max shooed people from her overly crowded kitchen to the living room. She didn’t mind a little help every once in a while, but nobody was going to mess up her carefully prepared chicken and dumplings, and if somebody stomped and made her cranberry-apple-pecan bundt cake fall, well, it was going to be a problem.
One woman remained behind, a very grateful member of Mount Zion Progressive named Celeste Adams. She was the single mother of two grown children, a godly daughter of Zion who’d prayed that the Lord would send her a good man. When Mama Max had told her that she had somebody that she wanted her to meet, Celeste had cringed inside. But she had deep respect for her pastor and loved Mama Max. So against her better judgment, the fifty-one-year-old size-eight sistah, with big dimples, a ready laugh, and a memorable badonkadonk, had walked into a coffee shop near where she worked and locked eyes with her future. She and Henry had talked every day since they’d met.
“So how’s it going?” Mama Max asked, looking at Celeste with a twinkle in her eye. She didn’t miss the blush that crept up along her church member’s cheek.
Celeste nodded. “Really good, Mama Max. He wants to take it slow, but I believe he’s worth the wait. Henry is an amazing man. He’s no nonsense, you know? No games, no BS . . . With him, what you see is what you get.”
Mama Max nodded her satisfaction. “Told you he was a good man. All he needed was a woman to remind him of that fact.”
The two ladies continued to converse on general topics as they finished what Mama Max referred to as “a little holiday meal” that included roasted duck, glazed ham, candied yams, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, a green bean casserole, a sautéed collard and mustard green medley, beets, dressing . . . and then there was dessert: besides the cranberry-apple-pecan bundt cake, there were sweet potato pies, an apple cobbler, and homemade ice cream.
“Where’s the good Reverend Doctor?” Celeste asked as they placed the last of the dishes on the table and announced that dinner would be served soon.
“He went to visit the sick and shut-in,” Mama Max replied. “He’ll probably make a stop and see Beatrice, Henry’s mama, over at that there assisted-living facility.”
“We’re two blessed women,” Celeste said in a whispery voice.
Mama Max didn’t respond to that. She’d agreed to let Obadiah back in the house, but the jury was still out on how blessed she was. And while she’d finally told him the story that along with her mother’s whispered admonishments had shaped her views on intimacy—how she’d gone over to visit a childhood friend, walked in on the preteen being sexually assaulted in brutal fashion by a relative, and then been threatened with the same fate if she ever told a soul—their road back to marital happiness was nowhere near assured. “I’ll think about having you back in the bedroom,” is how she’d left the conversation that had taken place a few days before. She still didn’t know if that would happen and even if they shared a room, had no idea if they’d share a bed, especially in the way Obadiah wanted. What she knew for sure was that this holiday was by far the most unusual she’d witnessed in quite some time. King and Tai’s breakup had sent their family to various parts of the country for the holiday, but his siblings—Queen, Daniel, Ester, and their families—had all come to Kansas to support their recently reunited mother and dad.
Obadiah returned and entered the house through the kitchen door, just as Celeste had gone in there to retrieve the freshly baked yeast rolls that would round out the meal. They looked up simultaneously, their eyes locked, their breath held. Obadiah’s hand clutched the doorknob as he quickly scanned the church member who’d caught his eye some years ago. The air was thick with tension as their silence screamed in protest.
Obadiah recovered first. He released the knob and walked into the room. “Afternoon, Sister Adams.” He walked over with hand outstretched.
“Reverend Doctor,” Celeste acknowledged, filling her hands with the platter of rolls, thereby thwarting the need to touch this particular man of God.
“I didn’t know that you and my wife were friendly, but I’m glad to welcome you into our home.”
“My friendship with Mama Max is just beginning,” Celeste responded. “But on behalf of myself and my date, Henry Logan, we are delighted to accept your welcome.”
With that, Celeste turned and sashayed out of the kitchen. And in that instant both Reverend Doctor O and the woman who several years ago he’d screwed seven ways from Sunday knew they’d take this little one-night stand secret that they shared all the way to their graves.
Dinner was served and a cacophony of conversation commenced. Even though both King and Tai were noticeably absent, it almost felt like old times. After dinner, the festivities continued throughout the house. There was a moment where Reverend Doctor O and Mama Max found themselves seated next to each other in the living room. They watched as some grandchildren haggled over video games, while others trash-talked around a game of Uno. Mama Max looked up to find Obadiah’s eyes on her, soft and reminiscent. “I haven’t always been the perfect husband,” he said, placing his hand on Mama Max’s arm. “But I always loved you, Maxine. At the end of the day, you’re the only one I
always
loved.”
Mama Max placed her hand on top of Obadiah’s, with over fifty years of marriage upholding a bond not easily broken. “I know,” she said softly, patting his hand as she gazed fondly at their legacy around the room. She looked at Obadiah and smiled. “I know.”
As King sat at the massive table set up in the Freeman’s elaborately landscaped backyard, it was ironic that one of Tai’s favorite songs flitted through his head. His smile was bittersweet as he heard Sugarfoot declare that heaven must be like this. He sat back and looked around, still disbelieving at how quickly his life had turned. After being served the papers, Tai had further surprised him by announcing that she was moving out of the home they’d shared for over a decade and was staying at a hotel, alone, so that she could clear her head and plot her next move. The children, extended family and close friends had already been told, and while each person took the news differently, all were slowly adjusting to the idea of visiting their parents in two different households.
The reaction from Mount Zion Progressive members? Equally diverse but much more heartfelt. Even though he and Tai had stood together as they’d announced their impending separation, and even though Tai had encouraged the members to forgive her straying husband as she’d already done, there’d still been an obvious split among members—those standing staunchly behind their man of God versus those who demanded that he exit stage left. Two members who fled along with the others were Elsie Wanthers and Margie Stokes, Sistah Alrighty and Sistah Almighty, respectively. Sistah Almighty had called him a disgrace to the pulpit while Sistah Alrighty had declared that she wasn’t going to worship in the devil’s playground. After a one-month leave of absence (during which time he and Tai had hammered out the divorce arrangements, division of assets, properties, etc.) he’d returned to a noticeably smaller congregation and, after asking the remaining members their forgiveness, vowed to spend the rest of his life regaining their respect and rebuilding his ministry. The first step to that would be in bringing honor to the expectant mother of his fifth child. On New Year’s Eve, Charmaine Freeman would become the new Mrs. King Brook and arrive in Kansas as Mount Zion Progressive’s new first lady.
“Where are you, darling?” Charmaine’s voice caressed King’s body and calmed his nerves the way it always did. “You were a million miles away.”
“A lot on my mind,” King replied, giving Wesley a wink and Charmaine’s hand a squeeze. “Plus I’m trying to decide how I’m going to move given this feast of a meal you’ve just served me.”
The others at the table nodded their agreement, and gave their own accolades on the meal that had been prepared by Wesley’s more-than-capable cooks. Besides, King, Wesley, and his daughter, the table of twelve was filled with two associate ministers and their wives, the prime minister of Barbados and his guest, an international singing sensation, a world-renowned author, and a stunning international model who was Wesley Freeman’s “special guest.”
Charmaine cleared her throat and stood. “Your company has been delightful, but if you’ll excuse me, I think the little one and I”—she placed a hand on her gently rounding stomach—“could use a walk.” She reached a hand out to King, her skin glowing, her smile brilliant. “Darling, will you join me?”
King didn’t hesitate. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said to the table, taking Charmaine’s hand in his and leading her down the short walkway to the pristine white sand and the turquoise blue waters just beyond. He’d tried to fight it, had tried to deny it, and while living with Tai had desperately tried to hide it, but the truth of the matter was that he was head over heels in love with Charmaine Freeman, this island vixen who’d reeled him in hook, line, and sinker, and had stolen his heart in the process. The pain he’d caused his soon-to-be ex-wife and family would never be forgotten, but the sheer joy and unexplainable peace he felt at being exactly where he thought he needed to be could not be overlooked.
He and Charmaine walked in silence a long while before she stopped and turned to him. Her large, light brown eyes were filled with tears.
“What is it, baby?” King caressed her chin tenderly before reaching up to brush an errant tear away from her face.
“I want to be everything to you, King. The best wife, the best mother, the best first lady, the best lover. I’m so afraid that I will fail you in some way. It is my deepest fear.” Her full bottom lip quivered as she worked to remain calm. “I love you so much. I want to make you proud, and happier than you’ve ever been.”
King looked at the sincerity mixed with vulnerability in her eyes and his heart flip-flopped. “Come here,” he whispered, crushing this woman-child against his chest. “I’m already proud of you,” he whispered, kissing her temple, and again on her cheek. “And I’m very, very happy.”
Six days later, King and Charmaine became husband and wife. Five days after that, the newlyweds moved into a lavishly appointed home in one of Overland Park’s most upscale communities. And two weeks after that . . . Charmaine lost the baby.