Cy closed his eyes and swallowed hard. This cannot be happening. If I close my eyes long enough or tight enough, maybe I’ll open them to find I’m at home in bed and this was just a bad, bad dream. Cy opened his eyes and looked into Millicent’s face. This was not a dream. He looked down at Hope, who now stared at him wide-eyed. No, Hope, it isn’t what it looks like. There’s nothing going on between this woman and me! He willed Hope to absorb his thoughts. His gaze bore into her eyes, and in that moment, Hope calmed down and sat back quietly in her seat, turning her attention back to Millicent. At this same moment, Millicent looked down and to her left. Hope’s face was the last thing Millicent saw before she melted into a heap of silk, satin and tiny seed pearls. Hope didn’t move a muscle as mounds of Millicent’s wedding dress covered her own ivory and gold shoes.
The ushers rushed forth immediately to take the would-be bride out of the sanctuary and into the privacy of a prayer room, the quickest and most unobtrusive exit, if “unobtrusive” was a word that could be used in this most public of moments. Vivian ducked inside right behind the ushers, and after they’d set Millicent down gingerly on the floor, Vivian instructed them to leave and to please not discuss this with anyone. Even as she said the words, she knew this story would be on the national church wire by day’s end. She wouldn’t even be surprised if somebody wasn’t on their cell phone in the sanctuary, giving a play-by-play as the events unfolded.
Derrick tried with little success to get the service back on track. He instructed Darius and the choir to sing another song. Still sensing distraction, he led the church into a time of prayer and meditation while the sounds of the Kingdom Citizens’ band played in the background. The prayer and meditation period centered the crowd a little bit more, but even though he delivered the sermon and got the proper responses of “hallelujah,” “amen” and “sho’ you right,” he doubted whether anyone would remember today’s topic. His prepared title had undoubtedly been replaced with another one: Millicent Gone Mad.
Seventy times seven
Tai didn’t go back to Kansas immediately. Instead, she took the first week of October to be alone with God at a spiritual retreat and spa nestled in the luxury of Palm Desert, California. There, she spent hours praying and communing with God. When she wasn’t with Him, she was being pampered and massaged and wrapped and cleansed. She was manicured and pedicured and exfoliated and exercised. She attended a few classes designed for spiritual healing, and although the instruction was too New Age for her tastes, she still enjoyed the serenity of the surroundings and even heard a word or two that she could embrace. When she left the desert, she’d been cosseted from the rooter to the tooter and felt that no matter what was waiting for her at home, she was ready to face it.
Home. Tai thought about what that word meant as the taxi wound its way through the streets and turned onto her block. She admittedly had no idea what to expect when she walked through the front door, but she was strangely calm regardless. After the encouragingly regular phone calls the first week, she’d rarely heard from King. She knew from daily calls to Mama Max that he’d been out of town several times and that Mama, baby-sitter Anna and Sistah Wanthers had taken care of the children for the most part while she was gone.
The taxi had barely pulled into the driveway when the front door opened and a set of screams burst into the evening air.
“Mama! Mama! You’re home!” Timothy and Tabitha surrounded her, filling her arms with hugs and her face with kisses.
Tai dropped to her knees and hugged them fiercely. This was the longest she’d ever been gone from the children, and while she had enjoyed this time to herself—the first time she’d had like this since she was nineteen—she missed her family immensely. Until this very moment she hadn’t realized how much.
“We missed you, Mama,” Timothy said while grabbing a couple of bags.
“Yeah, Mama, we thought you’d never come home.” Tabitha was clinging to her mother while pulling her impatiently toward the house.
“I missed you guys, too.” Tai turned. “Just a minute, Tabitha!” She laughed, grabbing her purse and turning to pay the cab driver, who’d already taken her larger bags inside. “I’m so happy to be back home.” Tai was surprised to realize she meant it. She felt liberated, knowing no matter what, she and the children would be okay. The past month had taught her there was life beyond King Brook, and if necessary, she would jump on that horse called Life and ride it for all it was worth…without him.
And so it was that Tai walked into her home, with Timothy on one side and Tabitha on the other, and got the shock of her life.
The twins’ eyes danced as Tai, speechless, looked around the room. The living room had been transformed into a wonderland with silver and gold balloons everywhere. There was a glitter-type substance on the floor, and the white fluorescent bulbs in the lamps had been replaced with colored ones of yellow and blue. The coffee table was laden with gifts, and there was a banner across the back wall with “Welcome home, Mama, Welcome home, Wife” in bold, calligraphy letters. Princess came over and hugged her mom tightly. “Missed you, Mom. Welcome home.”
“What’s all this?” she squealed, hugging the daughter who was as excited as the twins. She stepped inside the living room and looked around.
“This,” King said, coming from the kitchen with an ice pail containing sparkling apple juice, “is a welcome home from the family who missed you very, very much.” He set the bucket on a place mat and walked over to his wife, kissing her gently, tentatively, on the lips. “We love you, Tai. Welcome home.”
Tai stood dumbfounded. Of all the welcome-homes she’d imagined, this had not been one of them. Her insides were a swirl of emotions as she looked at King, looking apprehensive, and then at the children, looking delighted. How could she feel so many things all at once? Love. Confusion. Happiness. Anger. It was a moment before she realized they all stood and stared in silence, waiting for her to speak. She swallowed and found her voice.
“This is, uh, what can I say?” Tai began, squelching the urge to cry even as the tears threatened. “You guys have out-done yourselves.” She linked arms with Princess, who was still standing beside her, and winked at the twins. Yes, focusing on the children helped calm her tumultuous emotions. Looking at King did not. So she didn’t. Instead, she walked over to the table and picked up a beautifully wrapped gift. “What’s all this?”
“It’s your welcome home presents,” Tabitha patiently explained. “But Daddy let us buy some stuff, too.”
“Yes,” Princess continued. “Daddy let me get that leather jacket I wanted. And some new jeans.”
“Who cares about that?” piped an impatient Timothy. “We all want to see what Mom thinks about her gifts, don’t we, everybody?”
“We sure do,” agreed King quietly. He hadn’t moved until this moment, walking around the present-laden table and taking a seat on the couch. Tai refused to meet the eyes that were searching hers intently.
“Well, in that case,” Tai began, grabbing one of the presents and speaking to her eager son, “I guess I better open yours first.” She sat down on the opposite end of the couch and opened his gift.
It was lovely. When Tai opened the lid, the classic sounds of “What the World Needs Now Is Love” spilled out of the chrome and glass jewelry box as a shiny red, heart spun round and round. She reached up and hugged her son, losing the battle with the tears that now flowed over her cheeks. “Thank you, darling, it’s beautiful,” she voiced sincerely. Timothy’s face beamed with pride.
A lilac sweater set, a pair of gorgeous purple velvet slacks, a pair of iridescent crystal earrings with matching necklace, a silk-covered blank journal and two workout suits joined Timothy’s music box and completed the mound of opened presents covering the coffee table. Except for a Christmas tree, the room looked like Christmas. Tai hesitated as one unopened package remained. A small, square box wrapped in gold-and-white paper and secured with a gold bow. It was from King. Tai further prolonged openi
ng his gift by picking up the music box and placing the crystal earrings inside it. Of course, impatient, observant Timothy would not be deterred.
“Uh, Mom! There’s still one present left! C’mon!”
“Can’t I take a moment and savor my gifts?” she asked, smiling.
“Mom!” the kids moaned in harmony. Princess continued. “We all want to see what Daddy got you!”
For some reason, Tai wasn’t altogether sure she wanted to know what Daddy had bought. Still not looking at King, she reached for the box, slid off the bow and removed the exquisite wrapping paper. A small, black jewelry box beckoned. Tai glanced briefly at King, who was eyeing her intently.
“What is this?” She asked a question that went beyond the contents of the container she held.
“Open it and find out,” King whispered.
“Yeah, open it, Mom!” Tabitha squealed.
Tai slowly lifted the lid and gasped. A beautifully designed mother’s ring of sapphire, emerald and topaz gems surrounding a radiant-cut two-carat diamond glistened against its ebony backdrop. Tai’s emotions swirled. What did this mean? Had some eager children wanting to show their mother love roped King into this gregarious show of affection? Was this an olive branch from a repentant adulterer? Or was this a going away present signaling the end of their marriage? Tai’s eyes were veiled as she looked at her husband, but a glimpse of her undeniable love for him seeped through nonetheless.
“It’s beautiful, King,” she whispered sincerely.
“Just like the woman who will wear it,” he smoothly replied.
“Wow, Daddy! Yours is the best gift of all!” Timothy exclaimed.
“Ooh, Mom, can I wear it?” Princess asked, her hands reaching for the box.
“No, you cannot,” Tai replied, snatching the box out of Princess’s reach.
“It sure is pretty,” Tabitha cooed.
“Put it on her, Dad,” Timothy suggested, an unwitting mediator in King’s attempt at reconciliation.
King hesitated only a moment before complying with his son’s request. He stood, reaching for the ring that Tai was removing from its velvet box. As their fingers touched, a shot of electricity went up Tai’s arm and her fingers tingled. She closed her eyes against the onslaught of feelings and concentrated on trying to feel nothing at all. King, on the other hand, took full advantage of this opportunity to touch the wife he’d barely acknowledged for the past four months, since Tai had proven King’s infidelity. His fingers brushed over hers as he slipped the ring on her right hand. It fit perfectly. In spite of herself, a rush of sexual desire dashed up unbidden and unwanted from her “kundalini,” and Tai jumped up from the couch and rushed over to the mirror positioned above the fireplace.
“Ooh, isn’t this gorgeous?” she said as she held her ringed finger, a bit breathless as her feelings seesawed between lust and anger, forgiveness and fear. Did King think he could just make it all better with a ring? Did he expect her to forgive, forget and jump back into their marriage as if nothing had happened? And how dare he use the children as a shield. Of course she could be nothing but the thankful recipient with their eager eyes on her. But, baby! It wouldn’t be so easy to get back in Tai’s good graces. Not so easy at all! She forced a smile to her face as she looked at King in the mirror. “Thank you,” she said. It was all she could muster. She needed time to think, to absorb all that was happening.
As if an angel heard her plea, the smell of food wafted from the kitchen at that very moment and caused a necessary diversion. “Is that food I smell?” she asked, turning toward the children and away from King.
“Yes, and we cooked it ourselves!” the twins voiced simultaneously as they came to grab her arms once again. “Hope you’re hungry, Mom!” In fact, on the way home, Tai had been starving. But that was before she’d received King’s welcome home gift. The ring around her finger felt strangely like a ball and chain. It had taken her breath when she first saw it, and now it took her appetite as well.
Even so, she was able to get enough of the dinner down to show her appreciation. The simple, yet delicious meal of grilled steak, baked potatoes, salad and rolls prepared by King and the kids was obviously a labor of love. Not to be left out completely, Mama Max had contributed her portion by way of a peach cobbler, the kind that made Tai want to slap somebody. Tai’s emotions stabilized a bit as the family sat around the table leisurely enjoying the meal. She answered rapid-fire questions from the twins and gave a pared-down description of her five weeks in California. She told them about her and Vivian’s star-filled day in Hollywood and how she’d enjoyed a fun afternoon and evening at Universal City Walk and Studios while reminding the children that jealousy would get them nowhere. She reminisced about the regular walks along the beach and made their mouths drool with talk of fresh seafood eaten at seaside restaurants and the California phenomenon called Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. And all the time she talked, her mind was reeling with the scenario being played out before her. Something she wouldn’t have anticipated in a million years. Her emotions were riding a roller coaster. She could barely look at King.
“Your mama has had a wonderful evening and your mama is now exhausted,” she said finally, leaving the kitchen only after the children adamantly refused to let her clean up. “Thank you guys for everything,” she murmured, hugging the children one by one but only placing a hand briefly on King’s shoulder. Focusing her attention on the children she continued. “You’ll never know how special this was, how much it meant to me.”
King turned then and abruptly left the room. Just when she thought she was getting a grip on her emotions, they twisted again. What is that about? Is he expecting a hug, too, after all these months? Tai shrugged, fighting for an armor of indifference to King’s unpredictable behavior. It didn’t matter, she lied defensively. All was well with her soul. “Good night all!” she sang out with false cheerfulness, kissing Princess, Tabitha and Timothy in turn. “I’m taking a long, hot shower and then I’m off to bed!”
Tai went back through the living room and noticed her luggage had been carried upstairs. She stopped once again and took in the scene around her. She smiled and shook her head, imagining the children fixing up the room. Upon closer examination, she noticed that the banner had loads of hand-drawn hearts and stars and declarations of love from the twins and, she noted with surprise, from King. King, what are you up to? Still wondering, Tai turned from the banner and headed upstairs.
Tai opened her guest bedroom door, turned on the light and stopped again. What is going on? Tai stepped inside, closed the door and threw her purse on the chair beside the vanity. “Where are my things?” she asked aloud. In an air of confusion, Tai slowly walked around the room, noticing that the books and other knickknacks she’d left on the dresser and bedside table were gone. Maybe they had a cleaning lady come in. Tai had noticed the home seemed spotless and thought that Mama Max had probably arranged a cleaning service to come and do a once-over while she was gone. Tai smiled to herself. Mama Max was definitely one of a kind. She’d have to call and thank her later.
With that thought, Tai began undressing and walked over to the closet to get a robe. Pulling it open, she stopped again. It was empty. She marched into the bathroom. Her toiletries were nowhere in sight. As what had obviously occurred began to dawn, her anger mounted. “Oh, you’re pretty sure of yourself, huh, King.” She stood silently for a minute, her hands on her hips. “This nucka’s got a lot of nerve,” she spoke while shaking her head to the empty room. Then she put her blouse back on, zipped up her pants and headed for the master bedroom.
“King, what’s go—” Tai stopped in her tracks. In the master bedroom, what looked like dozens of white candles in every size, shape and configuration were lit throughout the room. A new, gold comforter shimmered seductively in the candlelight. King was sitting at the foot of the bed, wearing an off-white lounging outfit, his feet bare. Once Tai’s senses returned to normal, she could hear the sounds of The Manhattans in the backgro
und, singing the seventies oldie-but-goodie “Maybe We Can Try Again.”
King sensed her hesitancy. He understood. He knew he’d been distant from Tai while she was in California, not to mention the last few months at home before she’d left. But it wasn’t just his busy schedule, and it wasn’t another woman either. While Tai was in a desert hideaway talking to God, God was in Kansas talking to King. King had spent countless hours alone, thinking about his life, the church, his marriage and what was really important to him. He’d come to the conclusion that in short, he’d been a major asshole and that Tai should be elevated to the level of sainthood for all the hell he’d put her through. He’d asked God for forgiveness and promised Him that if Tai would forgive him, too, he’d spend the rest of his life trying to make up for the hurt he’d caused her. He’d broken things off with April and removed two women he knew had ulterior motives from positions close to him in the church. That included his attractive, personal secretary, Lisa Higgins. Even though Lisa was married, she was flirtatious, and he didn’t need the temptation. He’d replaced her with a competent, formerly retired secretary who had worked in the Los Angeles school district for thirty years, gentle-natured, white-haired Sister Pebbley. He’d had more heart-to-hearts with his father in the past five weeks than he’d had his entire life and more than a few long discussions with his mother. He’d even asked the children for forgiveness. And as a keepsake to mark the moment of his marital transformation, he’d bought Tai a perfectly cut emerald and diamond necklace to accompany the mother’s ring she’d received. Tai’s trip to Los Angeles had given King a taste of how it would be with Tai totally out of his life. “Empty” only began to describe the feeling.
He stood and walked over to Tai, taking her hand and closing the door behind them. “Come here,” he said softly. “We need to talk.”
Sex in the Sanctuary Page 29
