When Solomon Sings (28 page)
Read When Solomon Sings Online
Authors: Kendra Norman-Bellamy
“This,” she said as she showed him a black napkin, “was on our table that night that I met you at Sambuca for your forty-fifth birthday. We weren't even dating then, but I knew you had the potential to be somebody special, so I kept it just in case.” She handed it to Neil and wished she could freeze-frame his expression. Next she pulled out a stack of greeting cards, all bound together by a red ribbon. “These are all the cards you've given me throughout our relationship.” He took the pile from her hand, and she reached inside again and pulled out silver paper that was neatly folded into a perfect square. “This was the wrapping that was on the very first gift you bought for me. Do you remember what it was?”
Neil grinned and nodded. “The sterling silver holder that I bought for your new Shay Decor business cards.”
“Very good,” Shaylynn said before pulling out a small envelope. “These are the stubs from the first circus show, the first concert, and the first movie that we attended together.”
“Wow,” Neil said as he looked through the envelope's contents.
“Do you want me to go on?” Shaylynn raised her eyebrows. She was really being sarcastic, so she was surprised when Neil had an answer.
“I want a song.”
Shaylynn was temporarily puzzled. “You're the singer, Solomon, not me. If either of us needs to be singing to the other, I thinkâ”
“No. That's not what I meant. You have a song with him. That Brian McKnight song that had you crying when that guy performed it that night we were at Sambuca.”
“âStill in Love,'” she recalled.
“Yeah, that one.” Neil grimaced. “Well, call me egotistical, but I want one too. I want you to have a song that makes you think of me. I want a song that we can call ours.”
Shaylynn shook her head and giggled at the same time. She didn't know why she'd never picked up on how threatened Neil was by Emmett's memory. Though his insecurity was unnecessary, in hindsight she could see that it wasn't unfounded. She pointed at herself, and then at Neil. “
We
have had a song for a long time.”
We
have had a song for a long time.”
“We have?”
“I made the song âStill in Love' mine and Emmett's because of something he said. Our songâmine and yoursâbecame our song because of
who you are.
And it doesn't make me want to cry, it makes me want to dance.”
who you are.
And it doesn't make me want to cry, it makes me want to dance.”
“Dance? Really?” Neil's face brightened with approval. “What is it?”
Shaylynn got up and walked to her DVD/CD player and popped in a CD that she pulled from the rack beside the television. Then she used the remote to turn on the TV and changed the setting to play the music. She watched the sequence of Neil's facial expressions while he tried to pick up on the song's identity as he listened to the introductory music, but no recognition ever came on his face. This probably wasn't music that a man like Neil would gravitate toward, but because of its lyrics, Shaylynn loved it, and once he heard them, she hoped he would see the significance and love it too.
“Is that Beyoncé?” Neil asked when the highly recognizable voice resonated from the speakers.
Shaylynn nodded and pressed her index finger against her lips. “Shhh. Listen to the words.” One minute into the song, Shaylynn began bobbing her head to the music, and then, taking it a step further, she began Latin dancer-like movements, swaying and dancing around the living room. The four-inch heels of her boots clicked rhythmically against the wooden flooring. She closed her eyes and joined Beyoncé in singing, “Everywhere I'm looking now, I'm surrounded by your embrace. Baby, I can see your halo, you know you're my saving grace...” She wasn't the greatest singer, but she could hold a tune nicely.
Shaylynn opened her eyes when the music suddenly got louder, and she saw Neil using the remote to increase the volume. In the next moment, he was standing in the floor, dancing to the music with her. They'd never danced together other than a slow drag to jazz music. Shaylynn giggled at Neil's moves. He wouldn't stand a chance on
Dancing with the Stars,
but if nothing else, he displayed great rhythm as they moved to the pulse of “Halo's” catchy tempo. At around the three-minute mark, they saw a flash of light and looked up to spot Chase standing at the top of the staircase, holding a camera and laughing at their efforts as he snapped away. Knowing they were being captured on film just fueled their arms, hips, and feet, and when the song ended, Neil picked up the remote and ordered a repeat.
Dancing with the Stars,
but if nothing else, he displayed great rhythm as they moved to the pulse of “Halo's” catchy tempo. At around the three-minute mark, they saw a flash of light and looked up to spot Chase standing at the top of the staircase, holding a camera and laughing at their efforts as he snapped away. Knowing they were being captured on film just fueled their arms, hips, and feet, and when the song ended, Neil picked up the remote and ordered a repeat.
Shaylynn wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight, placing her nose in his chest and breathed in deeply, filling her nostrils and lungs with the familiar, enchanting scent that had become synonymous with the man she called Solomon. In her wildest dreams, she had never fathomed having a stepson who was only eleven years younger than she, but if that was the side order that came with
this
main course, she'd take it.
this
main course, she'd take it.
EPILOGUE
At two o'clock on a Sunday morning, Neil was staring up at the ceiling of the room that had served as his honeymoon suite. If the walls of this space could talk, they would say things that came with a rating that even his mother wasn't old enough to hear.
Careful not to awaken his sleeping June bride, Neil eased out of the bed, slipped on his boxer shorts, and stepped out onto the balcony of the cabin that would be his and Shaylynn's love nest for the next seven days. The week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise had been a gift from CJ and Theresa. The moon reflected beautifully over the waters beneath them, and the boat sailed with such smoothness that it barely felt like it was moving at all. Neil and Shaylynn hadn't been out of their room since they permanently checked in after the standard safety drill that the cruise ship ordered.
By sunup, they would be docked in the Bahamas, and before the week was out, they would have also visited the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk. For the sake of having honeymoon photos for their wedding memory book, maybe they'd come up for air long enough to tour the lands.
Maybe.
Neil had never visited any of those islands before, but he couldn't imagine that any of them had sites any more beautiful than the one he was able to explore just a few hours ago. The island he called Shay had more excursions and adventure than he ever expected. After this week was over, he predicted that he'd need a vacation to recuperate from his vacation.
Maybe.
Neil had never visited any of those islands before, but he couldn't imagine that any of them had sites any more beautiful than the one he was able to explore just a few hours ago. The island he called Shay had more excursions and adventure than he ever expected. After this week was over, he predicted that he'd need a vacation to recuperate from his vacation.
Neil closed his eyes and allowed the refreshing ocean breeze to brush over his face while he relived the series of events that brought them there. Sixteen hours ago, he was standing at the altar, reciting vows to a woman he knew he'd love forever. Shortly before that, he was in the groom's chamber, allowing CJ to help him fix his tie, while Sean stood off to the side giving him dumb marital advice like, “Make sure you've packed
everything
you need for the honeymoon, old man. There are already too many years between me and Chase, but if you mess around and make another one, by the time he's born, both of y'all gonna be in diapers at the same time.” Even Neil had to laugh at that one. The fact that his family and friends had welcomed Sean meant the world to him, because the early evidence already proved that Neil and his son were going to have a close-knit relationship.
everything
you need for the honeymoon, old man. There are already too many years between me and Chase, but if you mess around and make another one, by the time he's born, both of y'all gonna be in diapers at the same time.” Even Neil had to laugh at that one. The fact that his family and friends had welcomed Sean meant the world to him, because the early evidence already proved that Neil and his son were going to have a close-knit relationship.
The ceremony had been almost as lovely as the bride who had dreamed it all into reality. The church, decorated in an elegant combination of black and ivory, looked like something straight out of a Grimm fairytale. The church was packed with well-wishers, but the wedding party was intimate, consisting only of Neil's younger sister, Val as the bridesmaid, Theresa as the matron of honor, and Val's daughter, Keisha, as the flower girl. With Neil stood Sean as his groomsman, CJ as his best man, and Chase as the ring bearer. He couldn't have been more honored when Reverend B.T. Tides agreed to officiate. Luke Jessup was elated when Shaylynn asked him to escort her down the aisle, and Neil didn't know who did the most crying between Alice Jessup and Ella Mae. He'd come close to tears himself as he watched Shaylynn draw closer and closer to him during her march. Her laced and layered ivory gown was fit for a princess ... right up to the tiara she wore on her head. She resembled a black Cinderella, and Neil would have bet any amount of money that it was the look she was going for. Shaylynn was such the hopeless romantic.
The elegant wedding was followed by a reception that was just as noble. Aside from the couple's first dance, Neil's favorite moment was watching Deacon Burgess take his turn with Shaylynn. Without his cane or walker to assist, it was more like watching two people rocking from side to side to the beat of the music, but the old man had gotten his wish, and Neil was glad that he was able to deliver. Homer had danced with Teena too. Neil was the only one privy to the answer to which dance had made his friend happier.
As the groom, Neil had stayed out of the planning of the day. He'd told Shaylynn to do it just like she wanted it done, but if he'd had a say, Neil couldn't think of a thing he would have changed. The designer and decorator in Shaylynn had found a way to make the wedding stylish and modern without ever making it lose its flair of tradition. Everything about it was polished, and the photos were going to make for a sensational scrapbook, but Neil just wanted it all to end so that he could get to the honeymoon phase.
However, just as he thought he was on the brink of ecstasy, his wonderful best man, along with Shaylynn's wonderful matron of honor, got up to make the long-awaited announcement that the limo was outside, waiting to whisk away the happy couple. But as they made the proclamation, they also held up two tickets and unveiled the surprise that instead of taking them to the undisclosed hotel that Neil had booked, the limo was escorting them directly to the airport to catch a flight to Port Canaveral, where they would be going on a seven-day, six-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. The reception hall erupted in thunderous cheers like Neil and Shaylynn had won the grand prize on some Hollywood game show, but Neil just wanted to take the cords from CJ's and Theresa's microphones and wrap them as tightly around their necks as they could stand. Thanks to them, he would have to wait the length of a flight and the time it would take them to get through the long, wrapping lines of cruise port security before he would be able to fully enjoy his wife.
It was a true test of patience, but Shaylynn Brooke Taylor had been worth the wait. My, oh my, had she been worth the wait! Neil had been so nervous in the weeks leading to the nuptials that he couldn't get his thoughts together to write a song for her. His plan was to serenade Shaylynn as she was being escorted down the aisle, but he just couldn't get it together. But around five o'clock yesterday afternoon, all kinds of original lyrics began playing through Neil's head as he and Shaylynn were anointing the bathroom of their cabin with the oils of their love.
It all started when Neil decided that it wasn't very gentlemanly to let his new bride shower alone. He had prepared himself, for Shaylynn's sake, to start things slow and let the passion increase in increments, but Neil soon found out that his preparation was in vain. Shaylynn's eager reception of him made Neil wonder which of them had been most waiting for that moment. Soap and water had never been so sensual, and their bodies were barely dry when they took their show to the bed for the grand finale. Their room was rocking, and it had nothing to do with the fact that they were in a cabin that was floating on water. Just the memories of it all stirred a new desire inside of Neil.
“Solomon?”
Perfect timing.
Neil opened the balcony door and stepped back inside the room that was only lit by a dim lamp in the corner farthest from their bed. Shaylynn was sitting up in the bed wearing nothing but the braids in her hair that cascaded past her shoulders and rested on her chest. This must have been what Adam felt like when he first saw Eve.
Neil opened the balcony door and stepped back inside the room that was only lit by a dim lamp in the corner farthest from their bed. Shaylynn was sitting up in the bed wearing nothing but the braids in her hair that cascaded past her shoulders and rested on her chest. This must have been what Adam felt like when he first saw Eve.
“Hey, suga.” Neil's stomach growled, and it had little to do with his having not eaten since they boarded the ship. He stepped out of his boxers and slipped under the covers with her. When he lay back against the pillows, Shaylynn did the same, resting her head on his chest.
“Sing to me.”
Neil had heard her softly spoken order and was glad that he was prepared to deliver. Admittedly, singing wasn't what he was in the mood to do right now, but he wasn't going to turn her down. Neil knew that once he granted her wish, she would grant his.
If there was one thing that he had learned over the course of the last few months, it was that great things happen ... when Solomon sings.
READERS' DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
Neil unquestionably loved Shaylynn, and he knew she loved him. Why then was he more than a little insecure in their relationship? Were you able to empathize with him under the circumstances, or did you see it as totally unfounded?
Neil unquestionably loved Shaylynn, and he knew she loved him. Why then was he more than a little insecure in their relationship? Were you able to empathize with him under the circumstances, or did you see it as totally unfounded?
2.
After falling for Neil, Shaylynn removed from her finger the wedding ring that her late husband, Emmett Ford, had given her, but she didn't totally abandon it. Do you think she was wrong? Why or why not?
After falling for Neil, Shaylynn removed from her finger the wedding ring that her late husband, Emmett Ford, had given her, but she didn't totally abandon it. Do you think she was wrong? Why or why not?
3.
Pastor Charles Loather Jr. (CJ), and his wife, Theresa, have a very solid marriage that seems to remain in the honeymoon stage even six years later. Their strong affections almost make them “cross the line” in the pastor's study at church. What are your thoughts on that? The Bible says “marriage is honorable in all,” but are there some places (such as church property) where these type affections are off-limits and deemed sinful?
Pastor Charles Loather Jr. (CJ), and his wife, Theresa, have a very solid marriage that seems to remain in the honeymoon stage even six years later. Their strong affections almost make them “cross the line” in the pastor's study at church. What are your thoughts on that? The Bible says “marriage is honorable in all,” but are there some places (such as church property) where these type affections are off-limits and deemed sinful?
4.
In a day and age when an overwhelming amount of pastor's wives serve in the capacity of co-pastor, there is no mention that Theresa wore any type of ministerial title at all. What are your thoughts on that? Should the wife of a senior pastor automatically serve in a ministerial leadership position?
In a day and age when an overwhelming amount of pastor's wives serve in the capacity of co-pastor, there is no mention that Theresa wore any type of ministerial title at all. What are your thoughts on that? Should the wife of a senior pastor automatically serve in a ministerial leadership position?
5.
As a way to protect her eight-year-old son from possible heartbreak, Shaylynn set certain rules in place so that Chase wouldn't get too attached to Neil, just in case things didn't work out between them. Was she overly protective or do you believe that more single mothers should use this type of caution when they begin dating?
As a way to protect her eight-year-old son from possible heartbreak, Shaylynn set certain rules in place so that Chase wouldn't get too attached to Neil, just in case things didn't work out between them. Was she overly protective or do you believe that more single mothers should use this type of caution when they begin dating?
6.
Neil kept two distinct secrets in this story. One that involved Shaylynn, and one that involved his old friend, Deacon Burgess. Do you recall what they were? Was Neil wrong for keeping them? If you were in his shoes, would you have told?
Neil kept two distinct secrets in this story. One that involved Shaylynn, and one that involved his old friend, Deacon Burgess. Do you recall what they were? Was Neil wrong for keeping them? If you were in his shoes, would you have told?
7.
What were your overall thoughts about Deacon Homer Burgess? Did you sympathize/empathize with him after he made his confession? And what did you think about the decisions he made regarding his will?
What were your overall thoughts about Deacon Homer Burgess? Did you sympathize/empathize with him after he made his confession? And what did you think about the decisions he made regarding his will?
8.
What about the information Neil uncovered regarding Emmett? Do you think he ultimately handled it the right way? What do you believe would have been the outcome if he had carried out his initial plans?
What about the information Neil uncovered regarding Emmett? Do you think he ultimately handled it the right way? What do you believe would have been the outcome if he had carried out his initial plans?
9.
Neil felt that God had led him to the information about Emmett because the discovery of it was made very shortly after he'd inwardly hoped for something that could give him an upper hand. Do you believe that the devil can hear the prayers of the righteous and produce counterfeit “blessings” in hopes that God's people will fall prey?
Neil felt that God had led him to the information about Emmett because the discovery of it was made very shortly after he'd inwardly hoped for something that could give him an upper hand. Do you believe that the devil can hear the prayers of the righteous and produce counterfeit “blessings” in hopes that God's people will fall prey?
10.
CJ became somewhat emotionally unraveled when tragedy struck his household, and he made the comment that as a pastor, he should have been able to handle it better. What are your thoughts? Should a church leader be able to remain strong during times of great trials? Does God expect more of them during trying times than He does of others?
CJ became somewhat emotionally unraveled when tragedy struck his household, and he made the comment that as a pastor, he should have been able to handle it better. What are your thoughts? Should a church leader be able to remain strong during times of great trials? Does God expect more of them during trying times than He does of others?
11.
A medical phenomenon took place in this story, and it was performed by way of a song. Do you believe God still works miracles in this day and age? Have you ever witnessed a miracle orchestrated by God?
A medical phenomenon took place in this story, and it was performed by way of a song. Do you believe God still works miracles in this day and age? Have you ever witnessed a miracle orchestrated by God?
12.
When Sean Thomas's name was first mentioned in this story, did you have any idea who he might be? What did you think once his identity was revealed? Did you think he was right in his decision to seek closure, or should he have honored his mother's wishes and let bygones be bygones?
When Sean Thomas's name was first mentioned in this story, did you have any idea who he might be? What did you think once his identity was revealed? Did you think he was right in his decision to seek closure, or should he have honored his mother's wishes and let bygones be bygones?
13.
When the sins of Neil's past were uncovered, it was also made clear that no one other than his deceased brother, Dwayne, was privy to it. In light of the fact that the offense came back to haunt Neil, was it something that he should have openly confessed to others on a volunteer basis? Was he in sin by not doing so?
When the sins of Neil's past were uncovered, it was also made clear that no one other than his deceased brother, Dwayne, was privy to it. In light of the fact that the offense came back to haunt Neil, was it something that he should have openly confessed to others on a volunteer basis? Was he in sin by not doing so?
14.
In this story, Chase is shown giving his life to Christ and becoming born again. Do you believe that children as young as he (eight) have reached the age of accountability wherein they are capable of understanding what it means to be saved?
In this story, Chase is shown giving his life to Christ and becoming born again. Do you believe that children as young as he (eight) have reached the age of accountability wherein they are capable of understanding what it means to be saved?
15.
What were your thoughts on some of the other secondary and/or minor characters, i.e. Ella Mae Taylor, Margaret Dasher, Reverend B.T. Tides, attorneys William & Melinda Ford, Lucas & Alice Jessup, Teena Marie Mitchell, Audrey Taylor, etc.?
What were your thoughts on some of the other secondary and/or minor characters, i.e. Ella Mae Taylor, Margaret Dasher, Reverend B.T. Tides, attorneys William & Melinda Ford, Lucas & Alice Jessup, Teena Marie Mitchell, Audrey Taylor, etc.?
16.
On some level, both Shaylynn and Neil struggled with their vows of celibacy and keeping their physical /sexual attraction for each other at bay, especially when they were alone in each other's presence. Do mature Christians have this problem, or do their struggles represent spiritual weakness on their part?
On some level, both Shaylynn and Neil struggled with their vows of celibacy and keeping their physical /sexual attraction for each other at bay, especially when they were alone in each other's presence. Do mature Christians have this problem, or do their struggles represent spiritual weakness on their part?
17.
The question of having children remained unanswered. If you were a forty-six-year-old male (or were married to a forty-six-year-old male) would you want children? Do you believe Neil will?
The question of having children remained unanswered. If you were a forty-six-year-old male (or were married to a forty-six-year-old male) would you want children? Do you believe Neil will?
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