by Sammie Ward
“Yes, you do,” Trinity said as she strolled up the sidewalk. “Come to the next rehearsal.” She unlocked the door, entering into the foyer. “We are having extra rehearsals for the Gospel Explosion, so there is no excuse not to attend.” Turning on the wall light switch, she headed into the living room. She placed the car keys on the coffee table.
“I will definitely be at the next one. So, does this mean you are giving up teaching?”
Trinity headed into the bedroom. She removed one shoe and then the other. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“You will be working closely with Garrett,” Leigh said coyly. “I mean, a couple of days ago you were saying you didn’t want anything to do with him. Now you’re going to be on Garrett’s next CD and touring together. Looks to me like the two of you will be spending a lot of time together.”
Trinity thought a moment. To be honest, she looked forward to spending time with Garrett—the more, the better.
“I’m looking forward to working with Garrett,” Trinity admitted.
“I know you are,” Leigh teased.
Trinity felt warm through and through just thinking about him. “It’s professional.”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me. I understand. You’re just going to remain good friends.”
“Exactly.”
“Yeah, right. Trinity, you do remember what happened between you two?”
A delicious shudder ran through her body. She couldn’t deny she wanted to be with him again.
“I remember,” Trinity answered. “But this is business, Leigh, not pleasure. He has a girlfriend, remember.”
“A girlfriend he’s not happy with, remember?”
Trinity sat on the edge of the bed. “I remember. But they are still together.”
“Trinity, you’re very levelheaded. I know you would not have allowed Garrett to get that close to you if you weren’t interested in him. You’re not interested in him just because he’s a celebrity. You are deeper than that.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying go with your feelings. Let yourself go.”
“Didn’t we agree that I wasn’t going to see either one of them?” She stood.
“I know what we talked about. And you’re going to make your own decision. I’m just saying don’t be afraid to trust yourself, that’s all. You will do the right thing.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Leigh giggled. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll see you in school tomorrow. Again, congratulations.”
Trinity hung up and then went into the bathroom and turned on the bath water. While she waited for the tub to fill, she removed her clothing and stepped down into the warm water. She laid her head back. Closing her eyes, she thought about what Leigh said. She was right; when it came to Garrett, she was afraid to admit her feelings for him. Maybe it was time she did something about that.
* * *
Friday morning rolled around, and, with it, Garrett’s speech. The event was being held in the school’s gym. Trinity looked around the room, which was decorated with balloons hanging from the ceiling and a “Welcome Garrett Martindale” banner covering the wall. The room was packed with students, faculty members, and the media. Trinity recognized some parents in the crowd. A Glee Club performance was followed by Principal Fisk’s introduction of the guest of honor.
Applause and cheers went up around the room when Garrett stepped up to the podium. As Garrett spoke about the importance of staying in school, the audience was mesmerized. He spoke honestly of the glamour and dark side of the entertainment field. Garrett followed that with the announcement that Trinity would perform on his next CD. Another round of applause went up, mixed with hooting and shouting from her students. A little embarrassed, Trinity stepped forward and took a bow. Her recognition was followed by a question-and-answer session with the students. An hour later, he signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Watching him interact with people was one of the things Trinity liked about Garrett. He was always approachable and courteous. When she introduced him to Timothy Brado, Garrett was patient with his additional questions about the music business. She loved that side of his personality, making the pull between them even stronger.
“Garrett, you were wonderful,” Trinity said, approaching him. Out of the blue, he reached out, enclosing her in his arms. She welcomed the hug. It felt good being crushed in his embrace. The scent of his expensive cologne, mixed with his masculinne odor, tingled her nose. Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.
He stepped back, his eyes raking over her lovely face. “Thanks. I think it went well. You don’t think I was too honest, do you?”
“No. You kept it real. They needed to hear the truth. Especially Timothy.”
“I don’t know any other way to be.”
She dipped her head. “I’m the teacher, but maybe I need to take a lesson from you.”
Garrett crossed his arms. “About what?” he prompted.
Turning her full face up to him, she coyly answered, “About us.”
Trinity looked around to see if she could speak freely. She leaned forward and whispered, “This is not the place to talk about it.”
His grinned widened. “You’re right. Let’s get together later and talk about it. I’m meeting with Dad later.”
“To talk about the choir?”
“Yes.” He glanced at his diamond studded Rolex. “Why don’t we meet at your place? Say around eight o’clock.”
“Eight it is,” Trinity said, her brown eyes sparkling. She playfully poked him in the chest. “Don’t be late.” She turned and walked down the hallway.
Garrett watched as her hips swayed from side to side. The motion was poetic, sensual. It was a definite turn-on. His felt his manhood harden. He hoped it was a signal of what the evening would bring.
A few minutes later, Garrett walked outside. Members of the press were still milling around. He stopped to answer a few questions. He figured it would be good exposure for the choir and the Gospel Explosion.
“Garrett, how is the vacation going?” one reporter asked.
“It’s going well. I haven’t had much rest since I’ve been in town. I gave a performance at Cadence a week ago, I’ve been rehearsing with the choir, and then I spoke here at the school today. But it’s part of giving back to the community.”
“Can you tell us more about rehearsing with the choir?” another reporter asked.
“As you know, I began my singing career as a musical director of the Praise and Worship Choir, which is part of my father’s church. The choir will be performing at the Gospel Explosion in Atlanta, Georgia, in a week and a half. I have been rehearsing, and will be performing with the choir. It will be their first trip to the celebration. We are looking forward to it.”
“So you will be back directing the choir?” the short, blonde, attractive female reporter from Channel 8 News asked. “Does this mean you’re going back to only singing inspirational music?”
“Yes, I will be directing the choir, and no, it does not mean I’m going back to only singing inspirational music.”
“Will you be performing anything from your upcoming CD?” Garrett didn’t have to look over his left shoulder to recognize the voice. He turned, looking into the face of Michelle Goodwin from Black Flavor Magazine.
“No, Michelle. I won’t be doing anything from my new CD. This is about the Gospel Explosion. But look for the Praise and Worship Choir to join me on some tour dates. Okay. I need to get moving.” Garrett felt he’d said enough. He didn’t trust Michelle. The last thing he wanted to do was answer questions about Trinity. He attempted to sidestep Michelle. She didn’t move aside. Instead, she stuck the recorder back in his face.
“Is Imani still in town? I noticed she wasn’t here today, but Trinity Blake was. How does she feel about you working with Miss Blake?”
Garrett took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure if Imani was still in D.C. They haven’t spok
en since he ended the relationship several days ago. “Michelle, you know I don’t discuss my personal life with the press.” This time he sidestepped her, hurrying to his vehicle.
“Have you and Imani put the ‘kissing’ photo behind you?” another reporter called after his retreating figure.
“Have you and Imani made up?” Michelle threw in. “Are you getting married?”
Garrett shook his head in disbelief. Married? Where did that come from? If only they knew. Opening the car door, he was grateful to be in the safety and privacy of the car. As he drove away, he could still hear questions being fired at him.
Pulling into the flow of traffic, he drove to the end of the street, making a right turn at the corner. While he drove, his mind went to Trinity again. She said she wanted to talk about them. The idea brought a smile to his face. He had waited so long to hear her say those words. Now that he had ended it with Imani, there was nothing to keep them apart.
Chapter 14
“Hey, Uncle Gary,” Taj said as Garrett strolled into the living room at his parents. He was sitting on the sofa watching television.
“Hey, little man.” Taj smiled a big smile. He was missing a front tooth. “You doing okay?”
“I’m okay. I lost a tooth,” he said, pointing proudly to the open space where the tooth once was.
Garrett returned the smile. Children were a blessing. He couldn’t wait until he had kids of his own. He would like two, maybe three, kids. Again, he thought about Trinity. He’d love for her to be the mother of his children.
“So I see.”
Taj scooted to the end of the sofa, his little legs dangling over the edge. “Daddy said if I put it under my pillow, the tooth fairy will leave me some money.”
“That’s true. What are you going to do with the money?” Garrett asked.
He lifted his innocent face to Garrett, his eyes blank as if in thought. “Buy some candy.”
Garrett laughed. “How are you going to eat candy?” Garrett began tickling him under the arms. “You don’t have any teeth.”
Taj’s giggling and laughing filled the room.
“When is Mommy coming home?” Taj asked when he settled down.
Garrett lifted his small frame, sitting him on his lap. Looking into his face, he was the spitting image of his mother. He realized this was a rough time for his nephew. His heart ached for him.
“You miss her, don’t you?”
His little head bobbed up and down. “Daddy misses her, too,” he said. “He was crying.”
Garrett swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I know. Your dad is sad right now. We all miss your mom.” He ran a hand across his head. “But I promise you things are going to work out. And you will see your mommy real soon, okay?”
“Okay,” Taj said in a sad voice.
“Pork chops smothered in onions is my favorite,” Pastor Martindale’s deep voice boomed as he entered the room, Ginger bringing up the rear. Pastor Martindale placed his jacket on the back of the chair. He turned and gave his wife a skeptical look. “What’s wrong?” Whenever his wife had to give bad news, she’d cook his favorite dish of smothered pork chops, usually with collard greens, candied yams, corn bread, and macaroni and cheese.
“What makes you think something is wrong?” Ginger glanced over at Garrett for help. Pastor Martindale followed her gaze. Garrett looked away. He didn’t want anything to do with it.
“Because you cooked smothered pork chops.”
Ginger wrung her hands together. “It’s your favorite.”
Pastor Martindale half-chuckled. “Whenever you have to tell me something you think I’m not going to like, you try to soften me up with my favorite food. So out with it,” he repeated.
“Tamara’s coming to dinner. I figured I’d cook something special.”
“Mommy is coming!” Taj wiggled down from Garrett’s lap, making a dash toward the front door.
“Taj!” Garrett screamed after him. He made it to the door to see Taj, standing on his toes, attempting to turn the doorknob. “Your mother isn’t here yet.”
Taj paused for a moment as if Garrett wasn’t telling him the truth.
Garrett knelt down, extending open arms to Taj. “She’s coming in a little bit. Let’s go get washed up.”
“I’ll take him,” Ginger volunteered. They headed off into one of the bathrooms.
“So, Tamara is stopping by tonight.” Pastor Martindale sat in the easy chair. “It’s about time. Maybe someone can talk some sense into her. It’s awful what’s she’s doing to Brian and that boy. Just awful.”
“They are talking,” Garrett said. “It’s a start. The most important thing is Taj.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
They both looked up to see Brian coming through the door. He was unkempt. He looked tired. His clothes were wrinkled. The beard on his face indicated he hadn’t shaved in days.
“Boy, you look rough,” Pastor Martindale said, eyeing him up and down.
Garrett looked concerned. He’d never seen Brian look like this. He was always well dressed and groomed.
Brian ran a hand over his uncombed head. “I guess I do look like a sight. Is Tamara here?”
“She hasn’t arrived yet,” Garrett answered. “Look, Brian, why don’t you go up and clean yourself up? You still have some clothes in the closet, or you can put on something of mine.”
Brian frowned.
“You don’t want Tamara to see you looking like this.”
Brian reluctantly agreed. “I guess you’re right.” He slowly walked back up the stairs.
“This is too much,” Pastor Martindale said, watching his son-in-law move like life had been zapped out of him. “Do we know anything about the man Tamara left him for?”
Garrett tensed up. “No, no we don’t.” He had to change the subject, and quickly. “Uh, Dad, I would like to talk to you about the choir.”
Pastor Martindale scowled. “You’re not changing your mind about the choir, are you? The Gospel Explosion is in a little over a week, and you promised.”
Garrett waved him off. “No, Dad, it’s nothing like that. As a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. I would like the choir to do some concert dates with me on my next tour.”
Pastor Martindale breathed a sigh of relief. “Praise God.”
“If that’s all right with you. I like what I hear. They are talented. Marc has done a wonderful job with them.”
Pastor Martindale’s smile spread wide across his face. “You know it is. I have prayed about this for a long time. God has answered my prayer. All they need is some exposure and the blessings will come.”
“Amen,” Garrett said. “I will fill you in on the tour dates once they are available. I’m thinking maybe some local dates,” he explained. “I know several of the members have families and obligations. It won’t be easy for them to pick up and go on tour.”
“You leave all of that to me. We will work out the dynamics,” Pastor Martindale said.
“I asked Trinity to sing on my next CD,” Garrett added. He was determined to keep his emotions in check, but it was easier said than done. Every time he thought about her, he felt butterflies in his stomach.
“Oh,” Pastor Martindale responded. He crossed one leg over the other. “What is she going to do? Duet? Solo?”
“Solo. She’s going to sing ‘Heaven.’ ”
“Didn’t you write that song?” Pastor Martindale remembered that before Garrett became famous he’d write songs for the choir. Even at a young age, he was gifted enough to read and write music. Before enrolling at Howard University, Garrett had mastered several musical instruments. Pastor Martindale believed God gave talent to his people to touch the world in a special way. Garrett had definitely been touched.
“Yes, I did.”
“You have that gift. It’s a gift from God.” He noticed Garrett looked off. “I’m not going to give a sermon. Working with Trinity will be like old times. Do you think that’s a good ide
a?”
Garrett half-chuckled. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
His father joined the chuckle. “I don’t know why I bothered to ask. What about Imani? How does she feel about you working with Trinity?”
“Imani and I are no longer together,” Garrett said.
Pastor Martindale quietly absorbed this news for a moment, and then asked, “What happened?”
“Just didn’t work out,” Garrett answered.
“Young people today—” Pastor Martindale began.
“Dad.”
“I said I was not going to give a sermon,” Pastor Martindale continued. “I was just going to say you take relationships too lightly. You go from one person to the next.”
Garrett rubbed a hand across his forehead. A moment later the sound of keys could be heard jingling in the lock, followed by his sister’s voice. Thank God. He wasn’t in the mood.
“Hello, is anybody home?”
“We’re in here, sweetie.” Pastor Martindale jumped to his feet. He was excited to know his daughter was safe and appeared to be in good health. Tamara’s beaming face appeared a second later. She rushed over, giving big hugs.
“I really missed you.” She held on tight to Garrett as if he’d disappear.
Garrett stepped back, giving her a once-over. Tamara looked as bad as her husband. She looked several pounds thinner. Her clothes were disheveled. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. It was obvious the separation was taking a toll on both of them. He hoped tonight they would be able to work things out.
“You’re losing weight. Are you eating?”
Dropping her eyes from Garrett’s, she nervously tugged on her shirttail. “I haven’t had much of an appetite.”
“Or sleep.” Pastor Martindale threw in. “You have bags under your eyes.”
Tamara shuffled from one foot to the other. Whenever her father scolded her, he always made her feel like a little kid. “Yes, sir,” she answered in a low voice.
