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Authors: Lutishia Lovely

BOOK: Divine Intervention
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7
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
“P
rincess!” Joni swatted her friend’s bootie-clad foot off the ottoman. “It’s your big day tomorrow. Go to your room and go to bed!”
It was near midnight on the night before the biggest day of Princess’s life. It had been a full Friday. Last minute fittings, mani/pedi/massage marathons, the fairly flawless rehearsal dinner, and now this: the final day of singlehood before Princess became a married woman. Instead of a bachelorette party, nine of Princess’s friends had joined her in Hawaii last month where in her words they’d “done everything I can’t do once I get pregnant.” On this topic both she and Rafael were in agreement: they wanted to be young parents. So the women had snorkeled and parasailed, flown over volcanoes in helicopters and flown over the beautiful Hawaiian expanse attached to parachutes. Everyone had agreed that skydiving had been one of the most beautiful freedoms they’d ever experienced, and an absolutely perfect way to see the world. Well, since Princess’s best friend, Joni, had kept her eyes tightly shut until feeling terra firma, she couldn’t quite cosign on this last claim.
Princess grabbed a pillow and crushed it to her chest. “I know that I should leave y’all, but I’m too wired to sleep! This moment is so surreal. I can’t believe it. I’m getting married!”
“It’s no big deal,” Joni said, in an attempt to calm her frazzled friend. “All it means is that you get to start washing dirty drawers and, in your case, cooking very bad meals.”
“Forget you, heifah!”
“As your maid of honor, I’m just doing my job. Urging you to get your beauty rest and wiping that rose color off your glasses.”
The women laughed.
“Princess,” Sarah said, her light, melodic voice wafting across the room from the king-size bed on which she sat Indian style. “Don’t mind, Joni. In a few short years you’ll become the next Oprah and, like her, you’ll be able to hire all of the help you need to do the dirty work.”
“Hey, speaking of Oprah types, are you sure you want to share your nuptials with the world?” This question came from Brittany Williams, the bridesmaid who’d known Princess since they were both four years old. Brittany’s family had moved from Kansas City to Chicago when Brittany was thirteen, but the two women had kept in touch.
“Yes,” Princess said. “But it’s only because of how much I trust Carla. I know that she will do a story that uplifts and inspires. Plus, it will be a ratings bonanza and I’d be lying to not admit how much I feel I owe her. She and Lavon are why I’m so successful, plus they’re friends of the family. They’ll be arriving tomorrow, and staying at the same hotel as Uncle Derrick and Aunt Viv.”
Carla Chapman was the host of the hugely successful talk show,
Conversations with Carla
. For the past several months, Princess had served as a once-a-month cohost and off-site correspondent for stories involving the twenty-something crowd. She refused the title “celebrity,” but more often than not when she went out in public her chances of being recognized were quite high. A two-man camera crew from the show had been filming Princess at various wedding-oriented activities since arriving earlier in the week.
“I personally think it’s great that you’re getting ready to be a reality TV star.” Princess rolled her eyes. “And why didn’t you put us up in the Plaza?” Joni teased. “You know your parents have the paper.”
“Because . . . I wasn’t going to take a chance on an accident, mechanical malfunction, act of God, or anything else getting in the way of y’all being at the church on time. From here, we can take the highway or if it’s backed up, we can hit the streets. Besides, which one of y’all is too good for the Marriott?” No one answered. “Uh-huh. I thought so.”
Chandra Willis, who’d known Princess since the Willis family joined Mount Zion in the late nineties, chimed in. “I have no problem staying here. I’m just wondering what room your fine brother is in.”
Princess rolled her eyes. “Girl, please. You don’t want to hook up with that ho.” Princess loved her older brother, Michael, but swore he had a different woman for every week of the year.
“Girl, everybody can’t keep a lock on it until a brothah puts a ring on it.” Chandra slapped five with another member of the party. “So help a sistah out, Princess. I know the entire wedding party is being picked up from here. So what’s his room number?”
Princess shrugged. “I honestly don’t know it and wouldn’t give it to you if I did. Embarrassing things can happen when a woman shows up to a man’s hotel room unannounced.”
“And uninvited,” Joni added, with an arched brow.
“Spoken like two married women. Y’all both get on my nerves.”
Brittany looked at her watch. “It’s about time for me to crash but before I go, let’s play ‘final curtain.’”
An instant frown formed on Chandra’s face. “What the heck is that?”
“It’s where each of us asks the bride-to-be the final question of her single life. The questions can be funny or serious, off-the-wall or heartfelt. But the bride must promise to answer each question truthfully.” Brittany cast big, brown, twinkling eyes on a wary Princess. “You game, sistah?”
Princess groaned. “Maybe I should just go to bed.”
The rebuttal was immediate.
“Chicken!”
“C’mon, Princess!”
“Where’s your big girl panties?”
Similar monikers and entreaties spewed from the seven bridesmaids and one maid of honor in the room.
“Okay, fine.” Princess said, tossing the pillow at Chandra, the instigator. “But let’s make it quick. All of a sudden I’m
really
tired.”
“More like really scared,” Joni said with a laugh.
And so it began.
“Okay, I’ll go first,” Brittany offered. “Princess . . . my girl. At the risk of being accused of getting all up in your biz-ness . . .” Princess rolled her eyes. “How long after the ‘I do’s’ do you think it will be before you and Rafael get your freak on?”
Sarah gasped, tossing blond curls out of a face that had turned a rosy shade of pink. “Brittany!”
“Listen, Miss Virginity, this is grown folks business happening up in here.” Brittany tossed her own black, shoulder-length curls over her shoulder. “So pay attention. And take notes.”
Princess studied her French-manicured fingers as she gave an answer. “Well, as y’all know, Rafael and I have been engaged for almost a year, and he has been very patient.” Princess glanced at those around the room, her eyes a mix of shyness and devil-may-care. “Let’s just say there’s a reason why we’re heading to a hotel instead of the airport tomorrow night. I’d say we’ll be trying to make babies before they clean up the last grain of rice.”
“Ha!” Brittany slapped five with her childhood friend, even though she knew that Princess had opted for bubbles instead of the traditional rice shower. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
Bolstered by Brittany’s personal question, Chandra went next. “I still can’t believe you haven’t even seen what the man is working with. That’s like buying a dress without trying it on!”
“Not quite,” was Princess’s dry reply.
“Seriously, girl. What are you going to do if the man has an earthworm instead of a cobra? The worse question that you could ask on your wedding night is ‘is it in?’”
The ladies howled. Princess stood. “Okay, now that I see what’s behind the final curtain I’m going to make this my final curtain call.”
“Wait, Princess,” Joni asked, crossing the room to where Princess stood. “Don’t mind the horny singles. I have a question for you.” Princess shifted her weight from one leg to the other and crossed her arms. “It’s legit, I promise. We know he’s special since he took you off the market, but for you, what makes Rafael Stevens stand head and shoulders above all the other men in the world?”
Princess plopped back on the bed, pulled her knees to her chest, and rested her chin upon them as she pondered her answer. “So many things,” she said softly. “But simply put, Rafael is a good man, a nice guy. I know they say that nice guys finish last, but that’s only because women are too stupid to recognize a good thing when they see it. We often go for the bad boys, the brave men, the instant spark instead of the steady flame.”
“Speak the truth, sistah!”
“Shut up, Chandra.”
“Girl, that sounded like it could go on a Mahogany greeting card.”
“Whatever,” Princess said, laughing.
“She is a best-selling published author,” Joni said, reminding a group that didn’t need to be reminded. Princess Brook’s memoir,
Jesus Is My Boo
, became a
NYT
bestseller. “So everybody knows she has a way with words.”
“I’m going to
go
away in about sixty seconds. Y’all done?”
“We don’t want our girl looking tore up from the floor up tomorrow, y’all,” Chandra said with exaggerated seriousness. “Let a sistah answer the questions and be done.”
The questions from the remaining six ladies rained in, encased in plenty of jokes and laughter.
“If Jesus is your boo, who is Rafael?”
“My husband.”
“Are you going to live in LA or KC?”
“Ugh! I’ve already told y’all this. I’m going to move into Rafael’s downtown condo and schedule periodic trips to the West Coast.”
“What’s the thing you’ll most miss about being single?”
“That would be my sleeping attire of choice, oversized T-shirts and cotton pj’s, in favor of sexy negligees.”
“Do you think you’ll ever learn to cook?”
“Not as long as there are restaurants and takeout.”
Laughter and zingers aimed at the bride-to-be abounded.
Finally, as the clock on the wall neared 1 a.m., Sarah asked the last question. “If there was one collective prayer you’d have us say tonight, a prayer for you and Rafael . . . what would it be?”
The atmosphere shifted as the room got quiet. Suddenly, the mood was all serious and reflective. “I’d have y’all pray that God will bless my marriage,” she answered, eyeing each woman. “And that His will be done.”
8
Here Comes the Bride . . . Again
A
n expectant energy pulsed through the seven hundred and fifty well-wishers that packed the Mount Zion Progressive Baptist Church for the 3 p.m. nuptials. After personally inviting almost five hundred guests, a lottery had been held for the remaining seats and every single one was taken. The marriage of the church’s first daughter was in and of itself enough to garner such attention but the promise of both Christian and secular celebrities in the mix no doubt added to the hype.
For a moment, King stood at the back of the church and took it all in. It was a vantage point that he rarely experienced, and one that he found interesting indeed. Had Tai been the one standing there, she would have noticed how the fuchsia and lilac color scheme had been meticulously carried out throughout the room, would have appreciated the lilac silk liner that covered the aisle and the intricately woven archways of various fuchsia plants paired with fragrant white stock through which the wedding party would make their entrance. She would have considered the perfection in having the white stone walls covered with sheer, billowy fabrics of purple, fuchsia, and iridescent silver. And she would have teared up at seeing how the entire pulpit area had been turned into a fairyland of iridescent fabrics and Swarovski crystals that kissed the strategically placed chandeliers casting rainbows on the ceiling.
That’s what Tai would have noticed. But King’s focus was on the crowd. He watched the women with wry amusement as Darius Crenshaw made his way into the sanctuary from a private side entrance and joined the Musical Messengers already sitting on stage. Once a gospel standout who was now a secular star, Darius and Company—also called D & C—had put out hit after hit since their first one, “Possible,” soared to number one several years ago. That was also about the time that Darius Crenshaw came out and announced that he was gay. For a time the backlash shook Darius’s faith in the church, but it didn’t shake his pastor’s faith in him. In a move rarely seen in Christian churches, Derrick Montgomery accepted the news of Darius’s homosexuality and allowed him to continue on as Kingdom Citizens Christian Center’s minister of music. The talented singer and musician’s popularity had waned in religious circles, but his crossover success kept him in high demand.
And it’s obviously kept him attractive to the ladies,
King mused, as he witnessed the side profiles of women who were obviously celebrity smitten. A similar reaction happened moments later when Cy Taylor came out of that same private door. No matter that his gorgeous wife, Hope, was beside him. Some of the women still ogled him like he was a barbequed rib. Then King caught himself eyeing Hope like she was a thick, sauce-slathered fry and figured he’d better judge not. Hope used to be a member of Mount Zion Progressive, and had been one of the many who’d drawn Tai’s suspicions. Nothing had ever happened between King and Hope. But that didn’t mean that the pastor hadn’t lusted in his heart a time or two. King continued to look around, noting that Lavon had taken a seat next to Carla, turning this part of the taping over to the capable hands of Mount Zion’s media ministry. They were sitting next to another gospel heartthrob, Nathaniel Thicke. He couldn’t see her face, but King was sure that Nate’s tenderoni wife, Destiny, looked as stunning as ever. He made a mental note to give his ministerial brother a call, tell him about a church in Las Vegas that would soon be looking for a pastor. Next to Nate and Destiny sat Derrick and Vivian Montgomery. King’s heart warmed at the sight of his best friend in the world.
His eyes continued sweeping up the aisle, stopping on the second row where his extended family sat. Building the ministry had called for sacrifice, and he wasn’t as close to his siblings as he’d like to be. Geography had also separated them. Queen, the sister eighteen months younger than him, had married a military man. She and her family of three had lived in four different countries and several states. Currently, they called Hawaii home and King had promised a visit before the year was out. After more failed relationships than a Baptist church had fans with pictures of Jesus, King’s baby sister, Ester, had fled to Alaska where there was little sun but lots of money. King was still trying to figure out who the redheaded, red-bearded lumberjack-looking joker was sitting by her side, looking as out of place in his black big and tall suit as a Ku Klux Klansman at the MLK Memorial, but with an arm tightly squeezing his sister’s satin-clad shoulder. King was closest to Daniel, his baby brother. Perpetual bachelor Dan lived in Las Vegas and attended the church King intended to discuss with Nathaniel.
I need to hook those two up, make sure Dan is in Nate’s inner circle.
Without even realizing it and on his daughter’s wedding day no less, the workaholic King had automatically reverted back into business mode.
King felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to find Erin talking into her earpiece. “Yes, get the bridesmaids ready to line up. And have Jennifer get the groomsmen. Things will get underway very shortly. Sorry about that, Pastor Brook,” she said, punching a button on her phone. “We’d like to clear this space and line everyone up in order. So if you could please join your wife and daughter in your office, I’ll come get you in a few minutes, just before the procession begins.”
“Thanks, Erin. Will do.” King entered his office and was taken aback at the sight. He’d never seen Princess look more beautiful than she did in this instance. She turned large, doe-brown eyes on him and his eyes misted over. He looked at Tai, noticing how the fuchsia-colored gown she’d had designed especially for the occasion highlighted the red tones in her skin as well as her naturally reddish brown hair’s highlights. The long, wide-belted jacket flared at the hips and effectively camouflaged the extra chips that had settled on her hips as well as gave the illusion of a smaller waist. Her hair was done in big curls that teased her shoulders and framed her face. The makeup artist’s work was perfect: not too much, not too little. King and Tai’s eyes met and held. It was their baby’s wedding day. And after twenty-five years together as husband and wife, so many words were translated in that look that none needed to be spoken aloud.
“You look good, baby,” he said to Tai, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “And you,” he said turning to his daughter. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. I love you, baby girl.” He hugged her.
“Stop it, Daddy. You’re going to make me cry!”
A light tap on the door interrupted the moment. “It’s about that time,” Erin gaily announced as she walked briskly into the room. “If you will please come with me, everyone is in place and we’re ready to begin.”
As the guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the Musical Messengers played jazzy versions of a variety of well-known love songs. Now, as Erin gave the signal for the processional to begin, they seamlessly slid into a more classical sounding wedding march, with the synthesizer evoking the sounds of harps and violins. After candles were lit, both sets of grandparents entered, followed by the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. Next came the seven bridesmaids and groomsmen followed by the maid of honor and best man. Finally, it was time for Princess to enter along with her parents, both of whom were walking her down the aisle.
Princess had a vague sense of the crowd, who turned toward her with smiles and whispered compliments, comments, and reactions. But as soon as she looked up and saw Rafael staring at her, it was as though she entered a tunnel, was moving through murky water where there was no sound. She admired how handsome he looked. The single-breasted, deep silver tuxedo he wore was tailored to perfection, emphasizing his well-proportioned, five-foot-ten frame and creamy brown skin. His close-cropped hair was a barber’s masterpiece, accenting deep-set brown eyes and a determined square jaw. His slightly full lips were unsmiling, but his eyes drank her in as though she were ambrosia. As she got closer, she noticed those eyes were extra bright.
Oh, my goodness. Is he getting ready to—
. Before she could finish the thought, one lone tear slowly slid down the side of his face.
Princess’s mouth went dry. Her heart beat so rapidly that she thought she might faint, and was sure that everyone around her could hear its sound. She swallowed and tightened the grasp she had on her parents’ arms. Her hands became clammy, her legs began to tremble, and for a moment she had serious doubts whether she could stand for thirty more seconds on those high Louboutin heels, let alone the thirty or so minutes that the ceremony would last. Just when she thought she really just might pass out, she felt the calming pressure of her mother’s hand. Tai, who was walking on Princess’s left side, had taken her left hand and gently, yet firmly, placed it on Princess’s arm, giving it a pat and then a squeeze. A mother’s strength flowed through her fingers and the moment of panic passed. Her heart was still beating wildly but by the time they reached the front of the church, Princess had regained a modicum of control.
As Tai hugged Princess and went to her seat, King took his place behind a Plexiglas podium.
And the ceremony began.
First, a very popular, A—list actress stood to recite a poem she’d written. Kiki Minor had become a star through the hit TV One show,
Love Rectangle
. Hollywood came calling shortly thereafter and fortune smiled when Jerry Seinfeld tapped her to play his long-lost daughter (who just happened to be African-American) in last year’s breakout comedy,
The Birthday Switch
. A year older than Princess, Kiki had been impressed while watching Princess’s interview on
Conversations with Carla
and following a Twitter introduction, text messages, phone calls, and a couple of meetings, a friendship was born. She’d personally asked to be a part of Princess’s special day, and had created a poem just for the occasion, inspired by the biblical love chapter: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, and more specifically, verses four through eight:
“Love is patient; love is kind; and special when shared by two like minds.
It does not envy, it is not proud; its actions are better than words spoken aloud.
It does not dishonor, or seek for self; but rather puts the one it loves above all else.
Not easily angered, nor keeps track of wrong,
Love is the endless heartbeat in true marriage songs.
Love doesn’t like evil, but rejoices in truth,
With compassion, forgiveness, and God at its root.
It protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres; believes in all goodness, eliminates fears.
The Light of Love will always prevail.
Love is pure Spirit . . . that’s why Love never fails.”
The audience applauded as Kiki took her seat and Darius joined the band. His latest hit song, “Forever You,” was not only a number-one R & B Billboard sensation, but it was also the perfect message for this special day. The wedding atmosphere took on that of a concert as Darius encouraged the audience to wave their hands in the air. With anyone else, this may have seemed inappropriate, but for Darius Crenshaw . . . unconventional was expected. Following this somewhat exuberant beginning, a sense of tradition was restored as the Lord’s Prayer was recited and King prepared Princess and Rafael to recite their wedding vows.
“These two children of God have come here today out of respect for God and in obedience to his command that has been from the very beginning. For of three institutions ordained by God, the home is the oldest. Since its origin is of God, it is honorable and is to be held in the highest esteem of all mankind.” A cough interrupted King’s speech. He looked up to see Derrick lightly touch his fist to his mouth and slightly loosen his tie.
Brother is looking as nervous as I feel,
he thought with a smile. That was simply a testament to their closeness. They weren’t blood relatives but Derrick and Vivian had often been more of an aunt and uncle to his children than his own siblings.
After a quick sweep of the crowd, King continued. “So while this ceremony is the legal blending of two hearts that have already been beating in unison, a home is also being formed, and a relationship established that has not only been approved by the state but has been ordained by God and sanctioned by His Holy Spirit.”
At this time, Reverend Doctor O stood and spoke into a cordless microphone. Anyone listening to his booming, authoritative voice would know he was a preacher. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Tai stood, and she and King said in unison, “We do.”
Bam!
Princess froze as her heart dropped. Without even looking (because her eyes were squeezed shut) she knew what was happening. Kelvin had entered the church and was now heading toward the stage. Her dream was coming true! She stole a look at Rafael, and was surprised to see a look of concern instead of shock and anger on his face. All of this was processed in the matter of seconds it took Princess to turn around. When she did, she discovered that the commotion was not in the center aisle, as she’d envisioned, but rather at the front of the church.
“Oh my God!” Without even thinking, Princess scooped up her train and clumsily followed her father, whose long strides had quickly eaten up the distance between him and the ceremony’s interruption. “Oh my God,” she whispered, as she looked down at the man she loved almost as much as she did her father.

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