by Sammie Ward
“Nina is a good friend. She’s been wonderful to me and Taj.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he said in an irritated tone. “I don’t like strangers in my business. This is between you and me.”
“I’ll make sure Nina knows that. Let’s get back to Taj. You just can’t show up here unannounced, Brian.”
“Come home, Tamara,” he pleaded in a broken voice. “Don’t do this to us. We’ve been through so much together. It’s not too late for us to work this out. I love you.”
Tamara knew Brian loved her. It was killing her to see what she was putting him and Taj through. She loved him. He was the father of her son, but she had to be true to herself.
“I love you, too, Brian.” She managed a tight smile. “We have been through a lot together. Despite how the marriage came about, you’ve been a good husband to me. I couldn’t ask for a better father for Taj.”
Brian’s brows drew downward in a frown. “Don’t patronize me, Tamara. Be a woman and come out with it.”
She inhaled sharply. “I’m not coming back, Brian.”
It wasn’t what Brian wanted to hear, but he was prepared for it. “Tell me the truth, Tamara. No beating around the bush. There’s someone else?”
Tamara nodded. “Yes.”
Brian didn’t know what to say. He suspected that there was, but hearing Tamara admit it was still heartbreaking. “You left me for him?”
She nodded yes.
“You’re going to divorce me to marry him?” Brian asked sharply. It was a legitimate question.
“I haven’t thought about getting married again.”
Brian had almost forgotten he was standing until he noticed the sofa next to him. He plopped down onto the brown, soft cushions. “Then what is this about?”
Tamara sat down next to him, wishing she could just tell him the truth. “Brian, it’s the best thing for both of us.”
Brian’s mind was spinning with confusion. What sent Tamara into the arms of another man? He’d done everything a man could do to take care of his family. A certified mechanic, it wasn’t unusual for him to work sixteen hours a day. Brian didn’t mind. It placed a roof over their heads, food on the table, and paid the bills. Though Tamara had gone back to college, graduating with a degree, he never insisted that Tamara contribute to the household. As far as he was concerned, her only job was to take care of Taj. She was a great mother.
“How long have you been creeping around behind my back?” Brian’s face twisted with anger when he thought about how good he’d been to her.
Tamara jumped to her feet. Simultaneously, Brian rose with her.
“I’m not going to answer that, Brian.”
“I deserve to know.”
“It’s not going to change anything.”
Brian rushed toward her. He stopped cold in front of her, nostrils flaring. “You’re lucky I’m not one of those brothers out in the streets,” he said through clenched teeth. He placed a hand around her throat. He didn’t have any intention of squeezing her neck. He just wanted her to know that he was angry enough to snap the life out of her. “Because right now, I could easily choke the life out of you.”
Fear and anger knotted inside her. Tamara couldn’t move.
“Brian,” she said in a shaky voice. She could feel the heat radiating from him. His chest was moving up and down in frustration.
“Shut up!”
A silence enveloped the room. He removed his hand from around her neck, shaking his head in disbelief. He’d never lay a hand on any woman. “Why, Tamara? What did he give you that I didn’t?” He spread his hands in desperation. “Everything I did was for you and Taj. This is how you repay me?”
Tamara’s hand rubbed her neck. “Brian, I’m sorry.”
Brian’s eyes roved over her from head to toe. “Yes, you are. Well, check this out. I’m taking my son with me. Tonight.”
Tamara was going to object, but decided not to. Brian was hurt enough. It was the least she could do. “When are you going to bring him back?”
“I don’t know,” Brian replied sharply. He called for Taj. A moment later, he flew out of the back room, grinning, and flung himself into his father’s arms. “Come on, Taj, let’s go.”
Tamara stepped forward. Brian gave her a don’t-even-think-about-it look. He headed out the door, hand in hand with Taj.
“Brian, please call me.”
Brian didn’t bother to look back. Tamara’s heart dropped into her stomach. Nina stood by her side, reminding her that her secret was the reason she may have lost her son. The tears started as soon as she heard Brian’s car drove away.
* * *
“I heard you will be at our school on Friday,” Bonita said to Garrett several hours later.
“What are you going to talk about?” Keisha said, walking up next to them. Both were members of the Youth Choir. When you saw one, you saw the other. “How to become famous like you?” She giggled.
Trinity couldn’t help overhearing the conversation. She remained quiet.
“You can’t teach someone to be famous,” Garrett explained. “I’m going to talk about the importance of education. A lot of teenagers are dropping out of school. I hope you ladies,” he pointed at both of them, “are not thinking about leaving school.”
“I’m staying in school,” Bonita said. “I want to be a social worker.”
“My parents would kill me,” Keisha added.
Both girls nodded in unison.
“Listen to your parents,” Garrett said. “How was rehearsal?”
“It was a little off tonight,” Keisha threw in. “The musicians were a little slow,” she said with attitude. “We need some new material. Something more upbeat.”
“Can you write us something?” Bonita suggested.
Garrett chuckled. “I will think about it. Do you need a ride home?”
“My father is on his way to pick us up,” Bonita answered.
“All right, I’ll see you next time.” He turned, heading toward his father’s office.
Garrett rapped on his father’s study door. Not waiting for a response, he poked his head inside. Pastor Martindale was sitting behind the desk going over some papers. He looked up, removing his expensive reading glasses. He waved him inside.
Garrett stopped in front of the desk. “Busy?”
Pastor Martindale closed the brown folder. “Finalizing everything for your trip to Atlanta.”
The mention of the event brought a smile to Garrett’s face. “I’m looking forward to it. Now that Trinity has rejoined the choir, it will be just like old times.”
“Speaking of Trinity, I was surprised to see her this evening.” Pastor Martindale opened the bottom desk drawer, slipping the folder in its proper space. “What made her decide to come back to the choir? Or should I ask who?”
Garrett blushed. “I asked her to fill in for Shannon.”
“She agreed just like that? If my memory serves me right, she left the choir right after you did. Marc has been trying like crazy to get her to come back.”
Garrett shrugged. “I guess he doesn’t have my touch.”
Pastor Martindale smiled. “I guess not.” He always knew Garrett had a crush on Trinity. He wouldn’t have minded if they started dating. She was a beautiful young lady, inside and out, with a nice spirit. She wasn’t flashy, yet you couldn’t help but notice her. She was better suited for his son than Imani. “Well, it’s good she’s back in the choir, regardless of what brought her back,” Pastor Martindale said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Garrett blushed again. “Just looking out for the choir.”
“Were you?”
Garrett wasn’t up to going a round with his father this evening. “Dad, it’s been a long day. I still have music to go over. I just want to let you know the choir is sounding good. We’re on schedule. I’m not in the mood for a sermon.” He turned to leave.
Pastor Martindale zoomed out from around the desk. “No sermon,” he said. “I couldn’t help but hear
the choir. You have done a wonderful job. I didn’t mean anything by the remark. I always knew you were a little sweet on Trinity.”
Garrett’s eyes widened. He was embarrassed. “Dad, I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about this.”
“Why not? I’m your father.”
Trying to head off an argument, he said, “You know why. I can’t seem to talk to you unless it’s about the choir.” He turned to leave again.
“Don’t leave.” Pastor Martindale waved toward the chair across from his desk. “Have a seat. Let’s talk a moment, father to son.”
“Dad, it’s a little late for the ‘talk.’ ”
“I’m aware of that.” He gave Garrett a look. “I just want to explain some things to you.”
Garrett sat in the chair. Pastor Martindale slid a chair from the desk, positioning it in front of Garrett.
“You really think that the choir is the only thing you have done that I’m proud of?”
“You have never approved of anything else that I’ve done.”
Pastor Martindale leaned forward, braced his elbows on his thighs, and clasped his hands together. “Garrett, I have always been proud of you. I was proud of everything from your first words to your first steps, your track career to your Grammy award. Son, I’m very proud of you.”
Garrett leaned back in the chair. An unexpected warmth surged through him at his father’s revelation. “You listened to my music?”
Pastor Martindale tilted his head to one side. “I taught you how to play, remember? It’s only natural that I would like to hear what you did with the talent. Just because I don’t approve of the music you’re playing, doesn’t mean that I’m not proud.”
Garrett couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His father was proud of him. “Thanks.”
He sat up straight in the chair. “Your mother and I were talking the other night. She was saying that you and your sister weren’t comfortable talking to us about things going on in your life.”
Garrett shrugged. What his mother said was true.
“I know we were strict with your upbringing,” Pastor Martindale continued. “But at the same time we tried to be open-minded.”
“When I left the choir to sing secular music, you weren’t very open-minded.”
Pastor Martindale leaned forward again. “Just because I didn’t agree with your decision to leave the choir doesn’t mean I’m not open-minded. It’s my job to tell God’s words about singing that type of music.”
“See, Dad, that’s what I’m talking about. Why can’t you just be my father and respect my decision about the direction I wanted my singing career to go in? Take off the pastor’s hat for a moment. Try to understand that I’m doing what I love to do.”
Pastor Martindale frowned. “You don’t think I understand?”
“Everything with you is scripture. I’m not saying that’s not important, but life is much more complex.”
Pastor Martindale stood. “Life doesn’t have to be complex. Everything you need to make life easier is in the word. Man makes life difficult. Not God. When people’s lives veer off course, it’s my job to point them in the right direction.”
“Dad, you don’t have to beat people over the head to get your point across.”
Pastor Martindale didn’t get a chance to answer; Taj suddenly hurried through the door with Brian bringing up the rear.
“Grandpa,” Taj exclaimed, holding his arms up for his grandfather to pick him up.
Pastor Martindale was beaming. He held onto Taj tightly as if he’d disappear. “I’m so glad to see you, Taj.”
Garrett walked over, patting his nephew on the back.
“He’s looking good,” he said, turning to Brian. “Where’s Tamara?”
“Mommy is at Nina’s,” Taj volunteered.
“Who’s Nina?” Pastor Martindale inquired.
“She’s the woman Tamara is staying with,” Brian answered.
Pastor Martindale stood Taj to his feet, holding onto his small hand. “You spoke with Tamara? How is she?”
“Yeah, we spoke,” Brian said in a low voice.
Garrett wondered just how much Tamara told him about the relationship between her and Nina.
“What did she say? How did you find out where she was?” Pastor Martindale inquired curiously.
Brian’s eyes came to rest on Garrett. He had “attitude” written all over his face. “Tamara is fine. I followed her home the other night after Garrett had dinner with her at Cadence.”
Garrett’s feet were rooted to the floor. “You followed me?” was all he could say.
“How else was I going to find out where my wife was? You knew all along where she was staying,” Brian snapped.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Garrett said sharply.
Pastor Martindale stepped between them. “Let’s not do this, especially in front of Taj.”
Ginger knocked on the door, and then stuck her head in. “What’s going on in here? I can hear your voices clear down the hall.”
“Grandma!” Taj took off, running toward his other grandparent.
Ginger clapped her hands together in excitement and gathered Taj up in her arms. She gave him kisses on both cheeks. “Taj! Hey, baby.”
“Ginger, can you take Taj into your office for a minute?”
“Come on, Taj.” Ginger took Taj’s hand. As she led him through the door, he was chatting nonstop.
Facing Garrett, Pastor Martindale asked, “You saw your sister again and didn’t tell us? You have some explaining to do.”
Garrett had never seen his father angry, but from the look on his face, he was serious.
“Dad, I don’t—” Garrett began to say.
Pastor Martindale held up a finger, letting him know he’d better come clean. “What did Tamara say?”
“He’s protecting her,” Brian threw in.
Garrett swallowed the lump in his throat. Maybe Tamara did tell Brian the truth.
Pastor Martindale looked puzzled. “From what?”
Garrett prepared himself for the bombshell Brian was about to drop.
“Tamara is having an affair,” Brian revealed. “She’s not coming back. She made it clear to me the marriage is over. She wants to be with him.”
Pastor Martindale’s eyes widened in disbelief. He appeared to be a little shaken, but kept his composure. “Is that what she said? She wants to be with this other man?”
“Yes.” Brian’s voice was shaking. “She said she loves him.”
Garrett couldn’t believe it. Tamara still didn’t tell Brian the entire truth.
“I’m sorry, Brian,” Garrett said.
Brian glared at Garrett, his lower lip trembling. “Your apology isn’t worth jack,” he said. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“What are you mad at me for?” Garrett retorted.
“Because you knew what was going on and didn’t tell me,” Brian answered.
“It’s not my responsibility to tell you,” Garrett replied. “It’s Tamara’s.”
“You could have told us,” Pastor Martindale said. “We had the right to know.”
“Tamara wanted to tell you,” Garrett explained. “She wanted to tell you in her own way and time. That is her right. I’m tired of everyone beating up on me like I’m the guilty party.” He turned and headed for the door. “I don’t have to listen to this.”
“Wait a minute, Garrett,” he heard his father call as he closed the door behind him.
Garrett stomped toward the front of the church, running into a bewildered-looking Imani. “Honey, what’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. Let’s just get out of here,” he huffed, grabbing Imani by the hand.
Trinity had been talking with Keisha when she spotted Garrett racing from one of the back rooms. He was moving as if he wanted to be anywhere but at the church.
As he and Imani waltzed out the double doors, Trinity and Keisha looked at each other. “Trouble in paradise?” Keisha asked.
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“I don’t know.” Trinity was baffled by the scene. “Whatever it is, Garrett isn’t very happy.”
Chapter 12
When Trinity arrived home, she slipped an album by one of her favorite inspirational artists, Mary Mary, into the CD player. She turned up the volume and played “Shackles.” She sang along with the verses. She was feeling good as she pulled out other CDs–Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, and Fred Hammond. Her spirit felt right.
“I miss this feeling.” Choir practice left her with a renewed spirit. It was a good day. She felt so alive. She replaced the CDs in the entertainment center when the doorbell rang.
She went to the door and peeped through the peephole. It was Darius. What did he want at ten o’clock at night? She leaned against the door before opening it.
“Darius, it’s ten o’clock. What do you want?” She shot him a look and added, “It better not be what I think it is.”
“Of course not. I’m sorry to stop by so late. I just want to talk to you about something.”
Trinity glared at him, not moving from the door.
“Don’t you want to know what it is?”
She crossed her arms across her chest, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. “Look, Darius, I don’t have time to play games with you. So tell me what you have to tell me and leave.”
Darius wasn’t moved by her outburst. He smiled. “You really know how to cut a guy.”
“I’m not in the mood to go through this with you.” She moved away from the door, heading into the living room. “I just got in from church. I’m tired. I was just about to turn in.”
“Can you just listen to what I have to say?” Darius followed behind her, watching her hips swinging from side to side. He groaned inwardly. He didn’t want to blow it. Since moving back, his number-one mission was to win back her heart. “Just give me a few minutes.”
She turned around, facing him. “We have already been through this.”
“Trinity, I know you still love me.”
“No. I don’t.” She didn’t blink.
“You are lying.” She can’t mean that, Darius said to himself. Trinity didn’t just give herself to any man lightly. When she did, it was all or nothing. She gave herself completely to him. He took her love for granted. He didn’t realize it until she was out of his life.
