At the top of the drive was a sporty Mercedes, powder blue, with white interior. “Now, that’s more like me,” Princess said as Kelvin pulled the Hummer up next to it. There was also a Porsche, a Jeep, and an Infiniti in the driveway. “You got company?”
“No, these are all my cars. Except that one.” Kelvin pointed to the Mercedes.
“Who’s that belong to?”
Kelvin’s cocky smile returned. “You.”
“Quit playing. Whose car is it?”
“I told you!” Kelvin reached into his pocket and then tossed a set of keys to Princess. “Get in, see how you like it.”
Princess loved the car. It was perfect. Kelvin got in and they drove around the neighborhood. “This car is the stuff!” Princess said as she searched different stations on the satellite radio. While not as extravagant as the Hummer, the Mercedes was equipped with TV monitors, a computer, and a satellite phone.
Fifteen minutes later, Princess pulled back into Kelvin’s driveway. “You like it?” he asked.
“What’s not to like? It’s amazing.”
Kelvin leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re welcome.”
“Kelvin, stop it. You know this isn’t my car.”
“Yes, it is, girl,” he said, laughing. “I bought it for you. You’re going to need something a little sportier than what you’re driving in Cali. I can’t have my girl rolling up to the games in a Honda.”
“Look, Kelvin, I am not your girl.”
“Aw-ight, whatever. Let me show you around.”
“I have to get my bags.”
“Housekeeper took care of that. C’mon.”
The next two days passed by in a whirlwind and was one of the best times Kelvin and Princess had ever spent together. They’d both grown up, and for the first time talked in depth about their past relationship. Kelvin again apologized about the abortion, along with the constant infidelities Princess had endured during their time together. Princess admitted that she had missed him. She refused to go to Myst or any other club, but they dined at some of the finest restaurants. After turning down his offers to buy up what seemed like half of each boutique they entered, she allowed Kelvin to buy her a dress, a beautiful pantsuit, and a pair of Gucci shoes.
“So you gonna stay in my room tonight?” Kelvin asked. They’d just finished watching a movie and were chilling out on the couch.
“Uh, that would be a no,” Princess playfully yet honestly replied.
“C’mon, girl. You don’t have nothing I ain’t seen already.”
“You just don’t get it, do you? I am abstaining from sex until I get married.”
“Well, hell, that can be arranged. Let’s go to Vegas, do the shit, and then do the shit.”
Kelvin made a face and Princess laughed. “You’re so goofy, still acting a fool, I see. So you’re serious, Kelvin?” Princess asked after a moment. “You’d fly us to Vegas and get married, just like that?”
Kelvin shrugged. “I don’t see why we have to be married to do what we’ve already done hundreds of times.”
“It don’t matter anyway. The man I marry will be saved and living for God.”
Kelvin turned and lay down, placing his head in Princess’s lap. “Then save me, baby. But give me a kiss first.”
“Kelvin, stop.”
“Just one, baby. Can I just have one?” He reached up and tenderly caressed Princess’s cheek. “You know I love you, baby. I want to give you the world. And I meant what I said back in California. I want you to have my baby. So, will you give me a kiss?”
Princess sighed. “Just one.”
Kelvin smiled. “And will you have my baby?”
“After you get saved and if we get married, then I might think about it.”
As soon as the plane touched down in Los Angeles, Princess turned on her cell phone. She checked her messages and had several new voice mails, including one from Adele saying that Princess’s book was an Essence bestseller. After deciding to wait until she reached her car to return the calls, she couldn’t help but smile as she walked up to her trusty Honda. Kelvin dogged my car, man! Her smile faded, however, as she placed her luggage in the trunk and thought about what else had happened, just this morning. Princess had gone into the situation with her eyes wide open and had no regrets. Because she knew that life as she knew it was getting ready to change.
After calling her publicist, her agent, her mother, and Jodi, Princess hit one more speed dial. Her smile returned as she waited for the phone to be answered.
“Hello?”
“Yes.”
“Hello?”
“Yes,” Princess said, laughing this time. “My answer is yes.”
Rafael started laughing too. “Girl, are you serious? You’re going to marry me?”
Princess continued smiling, through the tears of joy now streaming down her face. She’d gotten a glimpse of the glamorous life and all that it entailed. Kelvin could give her everything she wanted, but Rafael would give her everything she needed. The three late-night phone calls, obviously from females, that had come back-to-back-to-back in the middle of Kelvin’s seduction, and the subsequent calls from Fawn the following morning, was what Princess would later call a godly interruption. Princess didn’t know if Kelvin would ever be faithful to one woman, but she believed with all her heart that when Rafael said “I do,” it would only be the two of them in their marriage bed.
66
Time Will Reveal
Passion stood and paced the length of her master suite. Had it not been for the fact that she was hearing it with her own ears, she never would have believed it. “I’m so sorry, Mama Max. I never would have dreamed that you and Reverend Doctor O were having problems in your marriage.”
“Yes, I worked hard to keep up that front, child. But Mama Max could tell you a story or two ’bout marriage, sure could. And now I’ve got a chapter called divorce I’m getting ready to add to the end of it.”
Mama Max tried to sound cheerful, but Passion heard the sadness in her voice. “I’m worried about you, Mama Max,” she said softly. Passion didn’t know Maxine Brook well—they’d talked only a few times since meeting in Texas—but what she did know, she liked. “I can’t imagine what happened, but whatever it was, I’m sure you didn’t deserve to have the reverend file for divorce.”
“Well, child, it is what it is. I just wanted to call and tell you myself, before the news makes its way through the church grapevine. What about you? You and Stan doing all right?”
“Much better, thank you,” Passion said. “We’re in counseling, and it’s helping.”
“Well, I’ll pray your strength in the Lord. Staying together ain’t easy. But I’ll be praying for you. In fact, let’s pray now.”
While Passion was upstairs, receiving prayer from Mama Max, Stan was downstairs, in his office, needing prayer himself. He stared at the piece of paper he held in his hands, a copy of a letter written a long time ago. It had come from Bryce, in another package with an LA address. He didn’t believe me when I told him it’s over, for good this time. No, Bryce hadn’t believed him and had made another package to replace the one that Stan had thrown away without examining its contents. He wished he hadn’t gone through this one.
Hey, Tom, the letter began, referencing the Tom and Jerry nicknames Stan and Bryce had used while dating. Bryce was Jerry; Stan was Tom.
I didn’t know I could miss someone as much as I miss you. I’m going crazy! What have you done to me? I could hardly get to sleep last night, just had to keep playing our song over and over again, then finally fell off about three this morning. And I had that test in Finley’s class too. If I fail, it’s your fault! Here’s a little something so that you won’t forget me. I’ve got something else waiting for you when you get back. And I know you don’t want to forget that! (smile). Me neither, baby. It’s so good with you, the best!
Jerry
Stan sighed as he crumpled the paper. A Butterfinger candy bar, that’s what had been i
ncluded in the package, because when Bryce went down on him all those years ago, he said that’s how he tasted. There were other letters in the envelope—turned out Bryce had kept all of Stan’s letters to him, still had them twenty-five years later. A tear formed at the corner of Stan’s eye and fell. Then another, and another, until his shoulders heaved for the one he had loved and could never love again. Not like that. He’d promised God. He’d spoken vows.
Stan straightened out the crumpled paper, then turned and methodically put it through the paper shredder. He reached for the envelope and shredded the other contents as well. Finally, he picked up the CD that Bryce had included in the package. Stan didn’t have to guess what songs were on there or, if there was only one, what song that was.
“It’s over,” Stan said aloud to the empty room. “God, help me.” He wiped his eyes and sat back heavily against the desk. His fingers still twiddled the CD around as he stared blankly at the wall in front of him. Slowly his eyes dropped to his desk, where pictures of Passion, Onyx, and his children sat in multi-sized frames at the corners. Suddenly, a thought came to him. “That’s it,” he whispered. With a heavy heart but the merest hint of a smile on his face, he left the office and headed for his bedroom.
Passion was just about to step into the shower when she thought she heard the door to the master suite open. It was not unusual for Stan to work late into the night. She glanced at the clock on the vanity. It was just after nine. Hmm, he finished early. Passion took a moment and repositioned the shower cap before shedding her robe and stepping into the shower. She turned the water up as hot as she could stand it and turned her back to the showerhead, hoping that the hot water spray would work out some of the kinks she felt in her neck and shoulders. Boy, I sure could use a massage.
Minutes later, a hand touched her shoulder. Passion’s quick intake of breath was the evidence of her surprise. She turned around to see a naked Stan standing behind her. “Stanley?” she asked incredulously.
“Last time I checked.” Stan smiled. “Here, turn around. Let me get your back.”
Passion turned around, shocked that Stanley Morris Lee was actually in the shower—with her! He soaped the sponge and rubbed it across her body (including her butt!), and even lingered there a moment before soaping her legs. After he’d finished, he put down the sponge and began to knead Passion’s neck and shoulders. Passion moaned her pleasure and put her head down to give him better access. The massage felt great, but what happened next felt even better—Stanley began placing small kisses along her neck, shoulder, and down her arm. Passion didn’t know what had gotten into Stanley; she only hoped that whatever it was would never come out! Once finished, Stanley began to wash himself under the shower’s dual sprayers.
“Unh-unh,” Passion said, taking the sponge away from him. “May I?” She looked into his eyes, and seeing no message to the contrary, Passion began soaping Stan’s body. She alternately rubbed the sponge and her hands across Stan’s strong arms and broad chest, placing kisses where her hands had gone. She washed him thoroughly before kneeling face level with his manhood. “May I?” she asked again. Stan spread his legs and braced himself against the shower wall. Passion thought that she’d died and gone to heaven as she took in as much of her husband as she could. They’d had oral sex only one other time, on the Fourth of July. This was one of Passion’s favorite ways to make love, and she relished satisfying her husband. She was doing a good job, if Stan’s moans and grinding motion were any indication. But just as suddenly as it began, it stopped when Stan placed a hand on her head. “Wait, Passion,” he panted. “Let’s get out of the shower.”
Passion hid her disappointment behind a big smile. She knew it would take time for Stan to become totally uninhibited in sexual matters. She was determined to be patient and not rush him into things before he was ready. “Thanks for joining me,” she said sincerely. “That was fun. You can meet me in the shower anytime.”
Stan dried off and exited the bathroom, but Passion lingered, applying a liberal amount of cocoa butter and aloe lotion on her skin, brushing her hair and teeth, and spritzing herself with her favorite body spray. Then, hoping that she could rekindle what had started in the shower, she tossed aside her cotton gown and slipped into a gold satin negligee, with a lace bodice that did little to hide her breasts, and a flowing gown that felt sexy against her skin.
She turned the corner into the master suite and gasped again. The light was low, and the white candles she’d bought months ago were lit all around the room. Stan was in the sitting area, looking debonair in his black silk pajamas. He stood when he saw her and walked over to the stereo. As the first notes of the music began to play, he walked over to a stunned Passion, who was trying without success to close her mouth.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
Passion stepped into his embrace, convinced that she was dreaming. What happened to staid Stanley, and who was this sexy creature getting his mack on in front of her? I can’t believe this! Still, she nuzzled closer, breathing in Stan’s fresh scent as they danced around the room. When the short jazz intro ended, another song began.
“Wait.” Passion stopped dancing and stared at Stanley. “Who are you, and where is my pastor husband?”
Stan laughed. “It’ll all reveal in time.”
“Uh, is that the group DeBarge playing on the stereo?”
“Do you like them?”
“I love them! But I’ve never heard you listen to R & B before!”
Stan pulled Passion back into his arms and began singing the lyrics in her ear. Tears came to Passion’s eyes as she and Stan swayed to the beat of the music. “This is all I’ve ever wanted, and more than I dreamed.” She hummed along with the music before turning her face so that she could kiss her man. Stan was a willing participant, opening his mouth to let her tongue in, pressing her close against him.
“I want to make love to you,” he said huskily. “I want to make love to you all night long.”
Stanley? I still can’t believe this is my husband talking this way to me. And the night continued to be incredible as they shed their clothes and moved to the large sleigh bed, where Stan kissed her face and breasts before lying down beside her.
“Now, Passion, I’d like you to finish what you started in the shower. And then I want you to tell me how to love you the right way. I want you to tell me how you like it. I want to please you thoroughly. Can you do that for me?”
Could she do that? How can I love you? Big Daddy, let me count the ways! “Of course, Stan. I’ll be more than happy to love you and to tell you what pleases me.” This is all that Passion whispered before kissing her way down Stan’s chest, lingering briefly on his thighs before running her tongue up and down the length of his shaft. Her husband had asked her to finish what she’d started. She would do that and then some. After all these years, would she dare not honor her husband’s request? Hadn’t her marriage vows bade her to honor and obey? And hadn’t God’s Word said to do the same? Would she not lavish love on her husband’s shaft and then whisper succinct instructions on how to have her singing in the key of C by playing her G-spot like it was an instrument? Would she dare deny her husband when what she’d always wanted was now what he wanted? Heaven forbid!
A READING GROUP GUIDE
HEAVEN FORBID
LUTISHIA LOVELY
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The following questions
are intended to enhance
your group’s reading
of this book.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What were your first thoughts when Passion pulled ladies’ underwear out of Stanley’s luggage?
Why do you think Stanley acted so strongly to Passion’s demand for sex, to the point that their argument became physical?
Happily married couple Lavon and Carla Chapman met and began their relationship while Carla was still married to Stan Lee, yet they both feel the relationship is a spiritual one that God has blessed. What are your tho
ughts about their soul-mate relationship?
When Dorothea Noble Bates Jenkins first came to Palestine, Reverend Doctor O assured Maxine that their affair was long over. Of course, we found out it wasn’t. Do you think it’s ever possible, or okay, for two people who’ve been involved in an affair to remain “just friends”?
When Mama Max found the sex doll in Obadiah’s den, she was very upset. What is your view on various sex toys used within the confines of marriage?
Bryce told Stan that King James, the royal subject who commissioned the world’s most popular Bible, was gay. It is a possibility that has been debated for decades. If this is true, what are your thoughts on it? Would King James being gay change your view of these holy scriptures?
Once Mama Max discovered the sex toys, she left the reverend and returned to Kansas. Do you think she had a right to leave him, or do you think she should have stayed?
During a time when Stan opened up to Passion, he admitted that his conservative upbringing prevented him from enjoying himself sexually. Has there been anything in your life—or the life of someone you know—that impacted your sexuality or matters of intimacy? If so, what and how?
Stan Lee accepted the position on the Cathedral’s board knowing that Bryce Covington was a participant. Do you think he had ulterior motives for doing this? Or do you believe he felt strong enough to work alongside him, given his feelings?
Passion knows that her past actions played a significant part in Stan and Carla getting divorced. After three years of marriage, she feels a camaraderie with Carla Lee. What do you think about this “what goes around comes around” realization?
African American women make up the greatest number of new HIV cases in our country. Many of these cases are from men on the “down low,” and many of these DL men are God-fearing, churchgoing Christians. What part do you think the strong antihomosexual stance within the church has in this growing statistic?
Heaven Forbid Page 29
