She nodded, then looked up at Zachary who was staring intensely down at her. “My father. He told me how much he loved me and he wanted nothing more than for me to believe him when he said he didn’t take those things.”
“And—?”
“And”—she placed her hand up to her mouth and covered it to hold in a pending cry—“and, I did.” She looked up at Zachary and smiled. “I believed him.”
Zachary hugged her. “I’m glad, Gabrielle. I’m glad. I suppose fathers are more important to a daughter’s life than most of us give them credit for, huh?”
Gabrielle nodded. “I didn’t even know just how much. Until tonight, I didn’t know.”
“Well, I don’t want to be the one to bring this up. But you know”—he paused a second—“Jasmine might want to know about her biological father, too, don’t you think?” Zachary looked decisively at Gabrielle.
“I’m going to do it. I just want to wait until after our wedding,” Gabrielle said, fidgeting a little.
“And why might that be? Have you really thought about what difference it would make whether you did it now or after our wedding? And is that fair to Jasmine? Is it even fair to Lawrence, who has said he wants to meet her and introduce her to her other sisters and brother? Are you ducking from what you need to do, Gabrielle, putting it off from one major event in our lives to the next?”
“I don’t know, Zachary. Maybe I’m just a coward. Maybe I want to have this fantastic wedding without having any possible fallout or drama before it comes. Am I wrong for wanting something to go my way for a change? Am I? I don’t have a clue how Jasmine’s going to react when she hears this. If I knew, I would know if the right time was now or if waiting is better. Then again, the last time I waited, things blew up in my face. I don’t want that to happen again.” Gabrielle sighed. “So are you saying you think I should do it now . . . before the wedding? What?”
“I just see how much you’ve been affected by your own father, and I’m saying for you not to deny your daughter what you have—good or bad. But that’s something you’ll need to pray about and be led by God on,” Zachary said.
Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Zachary’s waist. “Miss Crowe is going to be mad at us if we don’t come on and eat.” Gabrielle chuckled.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He kissed her on her head. “I’m still here with you, Gabrielle. I’m not going anywhere. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. You’re going to make the right decision. I just know you are.”
Gabrielle nodded.
Chapter 27
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.
—Psalm 144:12
“Daddy, where are we going?” Darius’s second child, eight-year-old Dana, asked.
“I told you,” Darius said. “You’re going to my house for the weekend.”
“We’re going to celebrate my birthday,” Jade said in a satisfied tone. “I’m ten. Double digits. Count them. Ten.”
“Yes, we are, and yes, you are, Jade,” Darius said.
“But her birthday was last Friday on April the eighth,” Dana said. “Why is she getting another birthday party? Mom gave her a party last Saturday. Jade always gets to have all the fun. Me and Junior hardly ever get anything. It’s not fair.” Dana folded her arms and began to pout.
“I had a birthday for my birthday,” four-year-old Junior said with a smile. “My birthday’s in November.”
“Junior, everybody has a birthday for their birthday,” Jade said, laughing. “You meant a birthday party for your birthday, which you did have. But it’s my birthday now. So let’s stay focused, people,” Jade said.
“My birthday was on February second,” Dana said. “You missed my birthday, Daddy.”
“Not really missed it,” Darius said. “I called and told your mother to wish you happy birthday for me. And then I came over on February fourteenth and brought you something.”
“Not for my birthday, you didn’t,” Dana said. “That was for Valentine’s Day. And you didn’t give me anything for my birthday. You gave all of us a box of candy, so that doesn’t count as a birthday present just for me.”
“You’re absolutely right, Dana,” Darius said. “So let’s say this weekend, while you’re with me, that we’re celebrating both your birthday and Jade’s.”
“Why does she always have to get what I’m getting?” Jade said, folding her arms and pouting now.
Darius smiled as he watched them all from his rearview mirror. “We’re going to have a good time this weekend. And believe me, there’s going to be more than enough celebration for everybody. So let’s not get upset. And Jade, I need for you to unfold your arms and to unbutton your lips. Okay?”
Jade unfolded her arms and relaxed her pout.
“That’s my girl,” Darius said with a grin. He pulled up to the gate of the house.
“What’s this place?” Jade asked. “It’s huge, whatever it is.”
“Yeah,” Junior said. “Huge.”
“Junior, you’re just like a parrot. All you do is say what somebody else says,” Jade said.
“I do not. You say what somebody else says,” Junior said.
Darius pulled up into the driveway and then into the garage. “We’re here.”
“Here? Where is here?” Dana asked, looking out of the window at the large fully finished garage.
“This,” Darius said as he looked at his children, “is where Daddy lives now.”
“Whoa!” Junior said.
“Wow,” Dana said, opening her car door and stepping onto the red painted concrete floor.
They went inside, which impressed the three children even more.
“Daddy is living large and in charge,” Dana said. “This is like a palace. How did you get all of this, Daddy?”
“Hi there,” Divine said.
“Hi,” Junior said, quickly attaching himself to his father’s leg like Velcro.
“Girls, did you hear her speak?” Darius said.
“Hi,” Jade and Dana said in dry harmony.
Divine smiled. “Let me guess: You’re Jade, you’re Dana, and you”—she leaned down to Junior and smiled—“are almost the spitting image of your father, which makes you DJ.”
“Nobody calls him DJ anymore,” Jade said, rolling her eyes.
“His name is Junior.”
“Same difference,” Darius said. “His name is Darius Connors Jr. I still call him DJ sometimes.”
“No you don’t, Daddy,” Jade said.
“Well, Junior,” Divine said, still bending down to his level, “it’s nice to meet you. My name is Dee Vine, but everybody calls me Divine.”
“What’s the difference?” Jade said. “It sounds like the same thing to me. You just said it like it was two words the first time, then one.”
“I totally agree,” Divine said, standing up and looking at Jade. “I can already tell we’re all going to get along splendidly.” She smiled.
“You’re pretty,” Junior said.
“Shut up, Junior,” Jade said.
“But she is pretty,” Junior said.
Divine smiled. “Okay, what say I show you three to your rooms while you’ll be staying here? Jade and Dana, I put you two in a room together.”
“Figures,” Jade said under her breath.
“That’s fine,” Darius said. “I’m sure Jade will appreciate this much better than sleeping out in my SUV. Isn’t that right, Jade?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” Jade said with a fake spunk to her voice.
Darius narrowed his eyes at her to let her know he wasn’t going to put up with her foul attitude too much longer.
“DJ . . . I mean, Junior, you get a room all to yourself.”
Jade rolled her eyes. “And when are we going back home?”
“Sunday afternoon at six o’clock,” Darius said.
“But we’re going to have such a great time th
is weekend. I promise you that,” Divine said. “Your father and I have lots of exciting things planned. He’s so happy to have you here with him. That’s all he’s been talking about all week long.”
Jade moved her head from side to side while twisting her mouth in mockery of Divine. Darius looked at her and she instantly stopped.
“She’s okay,” Divine said. “I’ve dealt with people like Jade before. Jade is just being protective of her mother. I like that. Well, Jade, I want you to know that I have no intentions of replacing or taking the place of your mother.”
“Like you actually could,” Jade said, again under her breath.
“Oooh,” Dana said.
“Jade, that’s enough now,” Darius said. “Miss Divine has bent over backward to make things wonderful for all of you. I’ve missed spending time with you. If you want to be upset with someone, then direct your nasty attitude my way. But you will not disrespect Miss Divine in her own home. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Jade whispered.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t quite hear you,” Darius said.
“Yes, sir!” Jade said louder.
“Now, I want you to apologize to Miss Divine.”
Jade looked at Divine. “I’m sorry.”
Divine smiled. “I accept. Now, let’s go upstairs and check out your rooms!”
They went upstairs. And as much as Jade may not have wanted to be, she was blown away by the room Divine had fixed up for her and Dana. Darius could see it all over her face.
The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch. Divine had successfully orchestrated a birthday party for all three of the children, including Junior, whose birthday was another seven months away. She’d made each child feel special, with a birthday celebration catered specifically to them. She’d showered them with clothes, jewelry, electronics—it was unreal, which was precisely what Tiffany said when they hauled most of their newfound loot home.
“What on earth?” Tiffany said. “What is all of this?”
“Mom, we had the best time with Dad!” Junior said. “Look at all the stuff I got.”
“I see. We’re going to need a bigger house just to have somewhere to put all of this stuff.” Tiffany looked at Darius, who merely shrugged.
“Miss Divine was great! She is so nice,” Junior said.
“Miss Divine?” Tiffany said. “Who is Miss Divine?” Tiffany turned to Darius.
Darius smiled. “Her name is Dee . . . Vine. Divine is just easier for everybody, so that’s what she goes by.”
“Yeah, okay,” Tiffany said, her hand suddenly pressed onto her hip.
“Mom, Miss Divine gave me a birthday party,” Dana said.
“She did? But your birthday was in February,” Tiffany said.
“I know,” Dana said. “Wasn’t that great of her? Jade had a birthday party and Junior did, too. We all did, and all at the same time. It was so awesome! There was a real pony there. That was in my party area. And a magician—”
“The magician was for me,” Junior said. “I loved it! I want to do it again.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful,” Tiffany said. “And what about you, Jade?”
Jade tried not to smile. “It was nice.”
“Just nice?” Tiffany said.
Jade shrugged. “Yeah. We had karaoke for my party. Then we got to dress up, which was kind of fun. Miss Divine invited some other children over for the party, which made it even more fun even if we didn’t know any of them.”
“So this Miss Divine really showed all of you a great time,” Tiffany said.
“Dad had a little something to do with it,” Dana said with a grin.
“Thank you, Dana,” Darius said. “I was starting to get my feelings hurt.” He smiled.
“Okay, so take your things up to your rooms, and I’ll be up to see everything later.”
“Do you want us to put our clothes away?” Junior asked.
“No, Junior. Just put the things on your bed. I want you to show me everything you got,” Tiffany said. “Okay?” She bent down and gave him a quick tap on his nose.
“Okay, Ma,” Junior said.
The children took their things and left.
“I had such a great time with them this weekend,” Darius said with a small grin. “I’ll be getting them more often now. Maybe every two to three weeks.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Tiffany said with a scowl on her face.
“I’m being a father to my children.”
“You took my children to somebody’s house named Divine? With a name like that, does she slide down a pole or something equally as athletic?”
Darius raised one hand. “No, no, you will not insult Dee in that way. Dee is a hardworking woman who was kind and gracious enough to have our children, not just yours or mine, our children into her home and treat them as though they were her own. Now if you’re having a hard time with the fact that the children went and came back liking someone you were secretly hoping they’d hate—”
“What are you talking about, someone I was secretly hoping they’d hate? I didn’t know you were taking them around some other woman, let alone to some woman’s house.” Tiffany huffed. “You took them to another woman’s house?”
“It’s my home now. It’s where I live. I have every right to see my children and to bring them to my home, Tiffany.”
“How long have you known this . . . person?”
He shrugged. “What difference does how long I’ve known her make?”
“It makes a lot of difference, Darius! You can’t take our children around just anybody. We have two girls and a little boy. Don’t you pay attention to the news and see all of the things happening with innocent children?”
“The children were with me. They were in my possession and sight the whole time. They were never in any danger. And the best thing is that they seem to like the woman who adores me.”
“So when and where did you meet her?”
“If you must know, I met her one day back in January, the second day you refused to let me come in our house out of the cold.”
“January of this year? January of two thousand and eleven?”
“Yes.”
“So is she the reason you decided to completely abandon our marriage?”
Darius lifted one hand as he shook his head. “No, you’re not going to pin this all on me. I was trying to make things work. It didn’t, so I’m moving on.”
“I thought you said you were going to file for a divorce. You haven’t done it, so whether you realize it or not, you’re still legally married. Which means you living with this woman is committing a sin. You’re committing adultery, Darius.”
Darius chuckled. “Newsflash, Tiffany.” He moved his face in closer to hers as he smirked. “I was sinning when I was living here with you. Yes, that’s right. And it wasn’t just the two times you think you know about. This is just the first time I’m living openly, truthfully, and free about it. You see, Divine doesn’t nag me like you. Divine knows how to take care of her man, unlike you. Divine is—”
“Stop! I really don’t want to hear any more. Fine, you want to be with someone else, fine. It’s on your head, Darius. You’ll have to answer to God for what you’re doing.”
He laughed. “Yeah, just like you. And don’t be trying to act like you’re not swooning all over dear, sweet Clarence.”
Tiffany shook her head as she frowned. “I’m not. There’s nothing going on between me and Clarence. So you can try and make yourself feel better by telling yourself that lie all you want. But God knows the truth. I’ve been faithful to you and our vows. I took it seriously when I said I would give myself to you and you only.”
“Well, I’m happy. And it looks like things are going wonderfully for me.”
“So does this mean you plan on paying child support to take care of our children?”
“That’s the only thing you really care about, isn’t it, Tiffany? You’re just looking for a paycheck. Well,
you know what: I’m going to make sure you get money to take care of the children. And I’m going to file those papers for a divorce. Are you happy now? Now that you know you’re going to get a paycheck for the kids.”
She shook her head as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “It costs money to take care of children. You know this. Our children are not a ‘paycheck’ to me. But I’m not going to allow them to suffer, to be here without food, a roof over their heads, or the threat of being without utilities to prove anything to you. I’m not. So say what you want, but I love my children.”
“Yeah, okay. Listen: I’ll hit you up the next time I want to get them.” He started toward the door, then turned around. “Oh, and I did check on a divorce. And the lawyer I spoke with says they have an economy special that would save us money. If you and I agree on how everything will be divided upfront without having a long, drawn-out court battle, we can use the thrift plan. I know you used to clip coupons; I assume you still do. I know how much you love a good bargain. So I say we go for the economy deal. What say you?”
Tiffany slowly shook her head and as she frowned at him, one tear made its way down her face. “You truly are a despicable person. I can’t believe I never saw just how much you were before now. I’m going to pray for you,” Tiffany said.
He laughed as he opened the front door. “Oh, please do. You know I can use all the prayers I can get.” He winked, then left, gently closing the door behind him.
Chapter 28
And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
—Genesis 24:23
The Saturday following the children’s visit with their father, Tiffany allowed Jade to go to Jasmine’s house to play. As was now their custom, the two girls hugged at the door, giggled, then ran up to Jasmine’s bedroom.
Miss Crowe and Jasmine had just finished putting a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies with pecans in the oven. When they were ready, she decided to carry some up to them.
Gabrielle met Miss Crowe on her way toward the stairway. Grabbing one of the cookies off the plate, she took the plate. “You’re carrying these to the girls? I’ll do it for you.”
The Other Side of Divine Page 18
