Redeeming Waters

by Vanessa Davis Griggs

King d.Avid nodded. “Everything is connected. The good and the bad bring us to the place where we are at the present time. Personally, I would be afraid of going back and changing a thing. Some of what might have seemed bad at the time may be the very thing that brought us to that which means the most to us now. Like a person or a child in your life you love and adore. Had you chosen something differently, would you have been blessed with that person, that child, or whatever means so much to you now? There are people you may have never met, had you taken an alternate route in life. Of course, you wouldn’t know it, just like we don’t know now. It’s definitely something to think about. The question is: would you want to lose something you have now for something that you just might be wishing that you’d chosen differently back then, just like now? Could a different choice have led to an alternate life that would’ve caused you to wish you’d made the choice that you actually did make, this time around?” King d.Avid frowned. “Does what I just said make any sense at all?”

  Chad nodded. “Oh, I got it. I could have chosen differently. And right now, I could be wondering how much better my life would have been had I chosen the path that I ultimately did choose: the path that has led me right where I am, at this precise moment. A different choice could have been better; or it could have been worse. Who can say?”

  King d.Avid rubbed his hand over his head. “I’m pretty sure what we just said makes sense on some level. One just has to take a minute to really think about it. Our choices choose which path is taken and where we ultimately end up. Different choices; different results.”

  “Okay, so back to the original topic and the choice before you right now,” Chad said. “I don’t think you should go over there to speak or otherwise. First off, they’ll know that you live here and, not that either might do it on purpose, that information could get out. This place is not as easy to secure as your house behind your guarded gates.”

  “I know. But I really would like to be able to say hello to Brianna. I’d like to find out how her grandfather is doing. How she’s doing? I suppose I could wait until her husband . . . Unzell is back in town.” King d.Avid shook his head. “It’s something, isn’t it? How things tend to happen in life. Who would have imagined that the grandfather would have helped launch me into this recording stratosphere I now find myself in, and now the husband is assisting in taking my concert tours to even higher heights. This crew this time around is awesome. Being so high up at this level . . . it almost takes my breath away.”

  “You know you could always invite her and her husband to your home once he returns back to the states after all of these concerts are over. But right now, you really need to be making your way overseas. You have quite a full schedule ahead of you.”

  King d.Avid nodded. “That’s why I wanted to hang out here for a few days before I have to get back on the road again. I needed to restore my soul, to lie down beside the still waters.”

  The following morning, King d.Avid was getting ready to leave the beach house to return to his Atlanta mansion. In four days, he was scheduled to fly to London, giving him only one day to rehearse and ensure that everything was ready for his first overseas concert. Before he left, he went up on the observation roof to take in one last look of the beach and ocean, and to breathe in some untainted, ocean-fresh air.

  It was then that he saw her.

  The beauty he’d seen last evening. Today she sported a white floppy hat, her long hair trailing down her back. She wore a long, plain white dress that somehow—on her body—didn’t look plain at all. It looked like she was leaving, saying good-bye. It definitely didn’t look like she was planning on spending any more time on the beach. He took out his cell phone and snapped another photo of her as she gazed out at the ocean. And as though she’d heard what he was thinking, she lifted her hand to her mouth, blew a kiss to the ocean, gave a childlike, bending fingers–type wave to the waters, then turned around and trekked back into the house.

  King d.Avid went downstairs to the den.

  Chad came in fifteen minutes later. “What do you need?” he asked.

  King d.Avid couldn’t help but smile, mostly because he couldn’t stop thinking about Brianna Wright Waters. “So what are you now? Some kind of a mind reader?”

  “No. But I figured since I’m all you have here, I’d make sure you didn’t need anything. Your bags are in the car. Everything is ready for you to depart whenever you are.” Chad was driving King d.Avid in a Cadillac Escalade to ensure they didn’t draw attention.

  “I’m good,” King d.Avid said.

  “Okay. I’ll be in the garage waiting when you’re ready.” Chad turned to walk out.

  “Chad?”

  Chad turned back around. “Yes, sir?”

  “Brianna Waters.”

  “What about her?”

  “I’d like for you to bring her to my house in Atlanta.” King d.Avid’s expression was unreadable. “Just her. Not her and her friend . . . just her. I’d like to talk with her before I leave for London.”

  “But you’re leaving for London in four days. That doesn’t leave much time. Are you sure about this? Especially now?”

  “Yeah.” King d.Avid’s face was set.

  “And what would you like for me to tell her is the reason for this request? Because I’m sure she’s going to ask.”

  King d.Avid primped his lips several times before he bit down on his bottom lip twice. “Just tell her that I’d be honored if she would join me for a late lunch or early dinner.”

  “That’s it?” Chad said.

  King d.Avid looked stern. “That’s it.” He smiled. “I’ve kept my promise to do right by my friend Jonathan, although that had to be done through his heir. Now I’d like to try and make good on my promise to do something special for Pearson Wright—a bit more difficult, even if he is still alive. That fact became abundantly clear, rather quickly, when his grandson, Mack, brought Jonathan’s son to visit me. I asked Mack to give Pearson my number and to have him call me. To this day, I’ve not heard from Pearson.”

  “Well, I just saw Brianna at her car when I was securing the premises. She was putting her overnight bag in there. I’m sure that likely means she’s heading back home. I’ll get right on this as soon as we return to Atlanta.”

  King d.Avid glanced around the room one last time, nodded his satisfaction with everything, then headed for the vehicle in the garage.

  Chapter 17

  And took her; and she came in unto him.

  —2 Samuel 11:4 (b)

  Brianna couldn’t believe it. She held the phone to her ear and tried to continue to maintain her composure. Chad Holston, the guy who’d been in the limo with her brother; the guy she’d met again at the beach house, not even two days ago; the guy she was now learning worked in security for none other than King d.Avid himself—this guy was calling to invite her—of all people—to King d.Avid’s house! Lord, You are good!

  “If you don’t mind,” Chad continued, “King d.Avid would like to keep this invitation strictly confidential.”

  “What about my friend Alana?” Brianna asked. “Is it okay if she comes?”

  “King d.Avid would really prefer it only be you at this time,” Chad said. “I’m requesting that you don’t even let anyone know you’ll be visiting.”

  Brianna quickly turned somber. “Wait! Nothing’s happened to my husband, has it?” Brianna unconsciously held her breath.

  “Oh, no. In fact, all reports indicate that things are going magnificently on that end of the world. King d.Avid will be leaving in the next three days to connect with the rest of them,” Chad said. “If anyone does, you most likely appreciate their grueling, intensely long schedule.”

  Brianna found herself exhaling. “I don’t know if ‘appreciate’ is the word I’d use. My husband has already been gone and not been home in six weeks.”

  “Well, in another six or so, things should be winding down a bit. Come the end of June, everybody will get a nice long break,” Chad said. “At least,
the concert crew will. King d.Avid plans to be back in the recording studio. The man is a working machine.”

  “Can you tell me what caused King d.Avid to want to meet me now? Not that I’m complaining or anything. Actually, I’m excited to meet him again. Well, sort of again. I met him when I was ten. That was almost twelve years ago, back when he and my grandfather, Pearson Wright, first began working together.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m aware of the relationship between King d.Avid and Pearson Wright. But as you can imagine, I’m merely the messenger for the invitation. I’m sure King d.Avid will be happy to answer any and all of your questions regarding this, once you’re here. But I can tell you that when he discovered you were visiting at the beach house, and that you were Pearson Wright’s granddaughter . . . Mack Wright’s sister that he’d met when you were younger . . . he wanted to come over and say hello. I didn’t think him doing something like that was wise, so I advised against it. It’s my job to ensure his safety and security. I hope you can appreciate that,” Chad said.

  “Oh, absolutely. But I know my friend Alana would love to come to his house as well.”

  “This invitation is being extended to you alone . . . at least, at this time. So if you’re open to the invite, I’ve been instructed to personally come and pick you up—at your convenience, of course.”

  “Absolutely. I’d love to,” Brianna said. “When?”

  “This afternoon, if that works for you . . . between two and three P.M. As I’ve said, King d.Avid is scheduled to leave in three days.”

  “Three P.M. works for me.” Brianna was jumping up and down inside, but she remained cool. What am I going to wear? I’m glad my hair is okay. Oh, my nails! Nails!

  “Then I will be at your house promptly at two thirty. I won’t be in the limo, but a more discreet, one might say, played-down vehicle—a pearl-colored Cadillac Escalade. Not shabby by any means, but it definitely doesn’t draw the attention that a limo does.”

  “I understand. The last thing I need is for my neighbors to see me getting into a limousine and riding off.” She chuckled.

  “My sentiments exactly. And it is vitally important that I protect King d.Avid. Therefore, I hope you won’t be offended when I ask that you not bring a camera, any type of recording device, or your cell phone.”

  Brianna laughed. “Are you serious? I mean I get the camera and the recording devices. But you’re saying I can’t bring my cell phone with me, either?”

  “Cell phones have recording devices on them,” Chad said. “Cameras and such.”

  “Wow,” Brianna said. “You guys don’t play, do you?”

  “Not when it comes to me doing my job. No, ma’am. We don’t play.”

  “Well, what if I decline to leave my cell phone at home? I mean, I don’t like the idea of being in a place, even if it is King d.Avid’s, and not have a means of calling outside, should I need to.”

  “That’s up to you. But I can tell you, as head of his security and especially at this point, that no cell phones from guests are being allowed past the gate. Now, if you’d like to bring your phone with you and leave it at the gate with the guard, that’s permissible. You can then retrieve it on your way out. But taking it into the house at this point? No, ma’am.”

  “So this is really like a test, right? You, or should I say King d.Avid, invites me to his house. But since you don’t really know me, you’d prefer I leave anything behind that I might be able to use to sell later to, say, folks like the tabloids.” Brianna grinned to herself. “I guess that’s fair enough. I suppose if it were me you were protecting, I’d like to know you’re going to extreme measures to ensure my privacy and protection. All right. No recording devices and no cell phone past the guard’s gate.”

  “Then I’ll see you at two-thirty?” Chad said.

  “I’ll be ready.” Brianna gave him her home address, hung up the phone, and started doing a happy dance right there in her den. “Wow,” she said, looking up at the ceiling. “Hey, God! Did you just hear? I’m going to meet King d.Avid!” She set the words to a cute little tune. “I’m going to meet King d.Avid. I’m going to meet King d.Avid.”

  Chapter 18

  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

  —Song of Solomon 8:7

  Sitting in the front passenger seat as Chad drove, Brianna rode past the beautiful brick and iron gate and past the guard, who merely waved Chad through. She knew without a doubt that this place had to cost in the neighborhood of ten million dollars just from what she could see of the outside of the two-story European stone and stucco hard-coat mansion. There was the luscious green lawn that looked like posh carpet beckoning for anyone who dared to come and roll around in it, a circular driveway, a covered entranceway ensuring guests would be protected from the elements. She knew the covering was mainly for guests since this place likely had a minimum of four garages. The gardens she saw were absolutely spectacular. And she thought for sure, as they’d driven along the mile-long driveway, that she saw at least two separate guesthouses.

  She’d been offended at first, then impressed, when Chad kept his word to ensure that she not bring any recording devices or her cell phone and asked permission to check her purse. Of course she hadn’t brought any of those items. She was appreciative that, when he asked if she possibly had any of these things hidden anywhere on her person, he hadn’t done an actual pat-down or body search when she’d said she hadn’t.

  Chad escorted her into an all-white living room. The baby grand piano was white. All of the furniture was white. The walls, with lots of personality and triple-crown molding, were white. And the coliseumlike column dividers were glossy white.

  King d.Avid walked into the room, dressed in a casual maroon shirt and black slacks. He looked so much more handsome in person than any of his photos, even the ones that had clearly been retouched, could ever do him justice. Brianna was determined to keep any emotions she might feel, in getting to meet him at this stage in his life, completely under control. She respected him, but she was no screaming groupie.

  Brianna had debated on what she should wear. But then, this wasn’t a date or anything where she needed to dress to impress. Fortunately, she’d chosen to go with a white sleeveless blouse full of draping and pleats, along with a white and black cotton floral skirt—not over- or underdressed. She’d worn a pair of black shoes with the toes out and four-inch heels, only because she hated how she felt when she wanted to feel dressed up and wore flats. She made sure that her toenails were painted (a soft pink matching her pink painted fingernails) mainly because she could practically hear Alana dogging out anyone who wasn’t wearing stockings and was showing unpainted toenails.

  “Brianna,” King d.Avid said when he walked over to greet her.

  She stood and extended her hand to him. He took her hand, but for some reason, pulled her in to him and gave her a hug and a quick kiss on both cheeks. That completely caught her off guard.

  “I hope you don’t mind the hug and the friendly kiss. But I sort of feel like we’re old friends,” King d.Avid said. “I mean, we’ve met once before. And your grandfather was like family to me. How have you been? How’s the family?” He held her hand as he pulled her down on the couch and sat next to her.

  She was glad he released her hand after they sat. That kept her from having to figure out a way to politely slide her hand out of his. Not that she felt he was being fresh or anything like that. She just didn’t care for how her body was reacting to his touch . . . not at all. In fact, she heard a voice inside of her say, “Okay, you’ve met him. Now get up and make your way on home.” She laughed to herself.

  “What’s so funny?” King d.Avid said.

  That was when Brianna realized that she’d actually laughed out loud. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something. That was awfully rude of me.”

  He smiled. “Oh, I do that all the time. Especiall
y when I’m bored and someone is going on and on . . .”

  “Oh, you’re not boring. I’m sorry if that’s what you think,” Brianna said.

  “So how have you been all of these years?” King d.Avid asked, keeping his eyes locked on hers.

  “I’m great. The family is doing well. Everything is great. Thanks for asking.”

  “Are you still writing poetry and short stories?” he asked.

  She tilted her head slightly sideways. “How do you know about that?”

  He scrunched down enough to make sure his eyes were evenly across from hers. “You told me.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes, you did. Let me see if I get this right. You were ten. You were this cute little girl running off the porch with your friend. And the two of you were on a mission to stick a safety pin in the ground. I remember it was a safety pin because you held it up when you showed it to your grandfather.”

  Brianna started laughing. “It was my friend’s idea. It was silly. We were trying to see if we could hear the devil beating his wife, or more to the point, her screaming when he did it.” Brianna paused a second. “I can’t believe you remember that.” She pulled her body back a little, but kept her smile.

  “You made an impression on me that day. At least you didn’t knock me down by telling me that I was old at the tender age of twenty-five,” King d.Avid said.

  “Oh, that was all Alana. We’re still friends. And she’s still the same Alana.”

  “Well, if she thinks twenty-five was old, then I’m sure she thinks I’m on death’s doorstep, now that I’m thirty-six. And that would make you . . .”

  “I’ll be twenty-two next month on June twelfth. And believe me, the older you get, the more you see that what you thought was old is really nothing like what you thought before you got there,” Brianna said.

  “I know. I remember when I was about to turn thirty. I held my breath thinking something huge was about to happen. That I’d be different. But to my surprise, nothing happened. I felt no different than I did the day before, at twenty-nine. Same thing when I turned thirty-five. And today, at thirty-six, I feel pretty much the same as I did the day I met you on your parents’ porch.” He quickly averted his eyes from her after saying that.