Heaven Between Her Thighs: Stealing His Heart

by Denora Boone

The kids that he brought out on the stage with him looked to be no older than fourteen years old. There were three girls and two boys who had looks on their faces like they were about to kill whatever it was they were to do. Qyree assumed it was to dance and he couldn’t wait to see what this was all about. Everybody in the audience was getting excited as they watched the two teen boys, one with a hairstyle that resembled the cut Odell Beckham, Jr. rocked and was dyed red, and the other wearing a bomb bucket hat. On cue, the pair began getting them hype. Qyree could tell they had to be brothers because they were so in sync with one another. The music began and it was on!

  “Dealing with so much but I never fail, devil wanna see me go on my way to hell. Don’t invest any stress on me, I don’t want it at all. No time for the mess I don’t struggle with the rest oh no baby I don’t fall. I stand on my own two feet head being held up high. Worried ‘bout nothing you can see I’m good got a smile on my face everywhere I’m fly.”

  The beat was so sick that Qyree couldn’t believe that Mike had written and composed the whole thing. His father’s assistant had done research on him and found that out. He was bound to blow up with that type of capability. Qyree wanted to kick himself when he let his father talk him out of reaching out when he first wanted to.

  By the time the chorus came in, Qyree found himself dabbin’ and Milly rockin’ while singing along with everybody else.

  “Won’t let no one come and steal my joy, ‘cause I got God wit me. AW YEAH! Won’t take no mess comin’ from you, boy, cause I got God wit me. AW YEAH! Won’t let no scamboogers steal my peace, ‘cause I got God wit me. AW YEAH! I’m not at war but I’m still at peace, ‘cause I got God wit me!”

  He did a few more songs and each one got better and better as they went along. He even did one called “Better” where he performed with some dude who was nice with the vocals. Qyree loved him some old school rap and thought that no one could ever top the late great Nate Dogg and Warren G, but those two proved him wrong. He knew one thing, if that record label didn’t sign Mike Murk, Hype Lyfe Records was going to. His father would just have to get on board.

  Qyree made a mental note to go check out his REVERBNATION page and see if he had any new material. Mike Murk was about to be a household name and there would be no stopping him once he got on.

  -10-

  Lord, have mercy… how am I going to go after that? Chey thought to herself. She wouldn’t dare say it out loud because she knew that Von would have something to say and backing out at the last minute was not an option.

  Rubbing her sweaty palms on the front of her romper, she did her best to calm herself.

  “Girl, you will be just fine. You see Mike Murk just set the atmosphere and how well they received him. You good, boo,” Von encouraged.

  Now that was something she could agree with. That performance was awesome. She had even peeped Qyree out there going in with everyone else. Just as she was feeling herself starting to gain control of her emotions, she heard the announcer call her name. It was show time and God was needed front and center.

  Applause erupted and she was so glad that she decided to wear some cute little Toms shoes instead of her original pair of stilettos she normally wore with that outfit. Her legs were so wobbly, there was no doubt that she would have been on her face right now. Taking in and releasing the breath she was holding, she made her way to the mic.

  Von smiled at her friend because that was exactly what Chey had been to her since her release. She knew the day that she walked into her probation office that Chey was as pure as they came. Chey reminded her so much of her friend Nivea that she thought God was giving her another chance at having a real friendship in another person.

  So many nights after God had touched her heart about what she had done to Nivea, Von lay in her bunk crying because she realized just how bad she had hurt that girl. Because of her selfishness and loyalty to her mother, Von had lost one of the most important people in her life at the time. She thought she would never forgive herself for having been the one to set Nivea up to be raped. That one incident was the beginning of so many lives being destroyed, hers included.

  God truly worked in mysterious ways and would turn a situation around in the blink of an eye. Good or bad, He could do it and He did. Von knew that everything that God did was already preordained before the creation of the earth, so He knew what would happen. So many times she wished He had given her a sneak peek into it all, but she knew that wouldn’t have allowed the growth that was needed in everybody involved. Things in life could hurt so bad at times, but she learned that there was purpose in the pain that we rarely saw.

  Nivea was covered and favored by God like Abel was. She was the apple of everyone’s eye the minute she walked into their lives. It wasn’t forced, it was just who she was as a person. Von was so jealous, like Cain, that she couldn’t see that it was God’s doing and not the works of Nivea. While she tried to bring harm to Nivea, the harm fell on her instead.

  Von shook her head at the memories but thanked God that she was finally healed, delivered, and set free from that pain. The devil held her mistakes over her head for so long, but no more would he be able to and she had Nivea to thank for that. Wasn’t it funny that some of the same people that we hurt would be the same ones that would also help us heal? You burned the bridge but they trusted God enough to build another one and help you back across. Nobody but God was capable of changing a heart like that. He was definitely worthy.

  -11-

  If they weren’t outside, Cheynese was pretty sure that the attendees would hear her knees knocking and her teeth chattering. Her nerves were beyond shot. They were dead and in their grave. Why hasn’t God jumped in yet? She knew He was there ‘cause He was the one that decided to be omnipresent in everything. Jesus come through! Just as she was about to run off and hide under a rock, her eyes locked with Qyree and he gave her a reassuring smile. That one gesture eased her fears and she was ready.

  “I know that this is a different type of atmosphere, but I want all of you under the sound of my voice to just begin to give God some praise. You don’t have to know the Bible from cover to cover in order to worship Him. There is no hurt too painful for Him to heal. Open your mouths and hearts to receive,” Chey began, just as the track for Jekalyn Carr’s “Greater Is Coming” began to blow through the speakers. “That’s it right there. See, if it had not been for God I wouldn’t be standing here today. Years ago the enemy wanted to take me out of here, but God pressed upon my heart that my greater is coming."

  All of the worry and anxiousness that Chey felt since she agreed to do this was now gone. Looking out into the faces of the people that stood before her let her know that God was controlling this and He would get the glory out of it. Once again, her eyes landed on Qyree as she said, “No matter how far out of God’s will you think you may be, God’s grace and mercy are sufficient enough to draw you back to Him.”

  Chey hadn’t even started singing yet and Von was already in tears, with her arms raised above her head, sending up her worship.

  “If it had not been for the shaking, I never woulda been ready for the making,” she began singing. The look of pure amazement was evident in every face, especially Qyree’s, as he watched and listened. The chills he got were nothing like he had ever experienced. Looking down at his arms, he saw the many tiny goosebumps that were revealing themselves in almost hundred-degree weather.

  “That’s it, daughter. Come get your breakthrough. I feel a breaking in the spirit preparing me for greater. He hears your heart son. Greater is coming. Step out on faith and receive it. Greater is coming. Hold on ‘cause greater is coming. Hold on to that promise that He made sis. It’s coming, my greater is coming! Yes it is! Just hold on and receive,” Chey encouraged some of the people around her and that was when she understood God’s purpose for her being there.

  “He’s preparing you. Walk into your greater. Have your way God. Do it in this place for your people,” she continued even after the s
ong was over. It took a good twenty minutes to a half an hour to finally have people able to get up from where they had fallen or sat while they were in worship. God let His anointing fall fresh as He restored and brought back home His children who had strayed.

  -12-

  “I’m so proud of you,” Von told Chey as she made her way to the back. It had been a long time since either of them had felt this type of power, and they knew that the only source it could come from was God. All you had to do to experience him was move out of His way and let Him take the lead.

  “Girl, that was nobody but God. I was too close to running off stage but at the last possible moment, He showed up. I haven’t felt like this in a long time,” she smiled.

  “Well, I know He is well pleased. Why do you only sing in church? Your voice is so anointed you could give quite a few artists a run for their money in the industry,” Von stated. The look of sadness that immediately washed over Chey’s face didn’t go unnoticed.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, while preventing Chey to move any further.

  Not wanting to go back to that horrible time, Chey told her only what she wanted her to know right then. It had been a long time since that incident, but still not long enough to go into detail.

  “I haven’t been in the studio in years. I put my career at the top of my list so I kinda let that part of my life go,” she half told the truth. Chey loved being in the studio years ago because that was where she found her relief. Singing unto the glory of the Lord was like therapy for her. Then one day it was all snatched away and she never went back to reclaim it.

  “You sung professionally?” they heard coming from behind them. Turning around to where the voice had come from, they saw Qyree.

  “No, not professionally. I wanted to, but you know how our plans aren’t always what God has in mind for us and we have to merge into the lane that He wants us in. I guess that wasn’t my lane,” she laughed a laugh of sadness. Both Qyree and Von could tell that her heart was in singing just by her performance alone.

  “Yo, you should really get back in there. The world needs that voice you have been gifted with,” Qyree encouraged. Watching her on that stage and how she ministered to the young crowd was amazing to him. He saw eyes being opened, lives being changed, and hearts being healed while she sang. It wasn’t forced. It was authentic and real and he could tell that she was in the wrong career field.

  Before she had a chance to respond to him, a pretty dark-skinned girl walked up behind him with two of her friends. She was beautiful with her long curly hair and bright eyes, but the smug look and the way she looked Cheynese up and down instantly turned her ugly. Chey didn’t understand why women acted like that towards other women they didn’t even know. She chalked it up to some kind of insecurities they must have had because that was the only way she could see them having an issue with her. They knew nothing about her and from the way they were acting, she wasn’t interested in letting them into her world anyway.

  “Bae, how you gonna tell me and my girls to drop by so you can show us a good time but then you in the next broad’s face,” she said, once again, looking at Von and Chey crazy. Home girl obviously thought she was going to get a reaction out of her, but was sadly mistaken. She did get a response but not what she thought or from who she thought.

  “Aye shawty, look. First of all, you not the only female I invited, ask your girl right there. I bet she didn’t tell you that. Second, we not even that cool for you to be calling me bae. I ain’t even hit yet and you already catching feelings. And last, who I talk to is none of your concern. I don’t even know why I just explained anything to you fo’ real,” Qyree said shocking everybody. “I’ll get up with you later Chey, and again, you did an amazing job.

  “Okay, and thank you. I’m so glad you liked it,” she told him, unbothered by the women who had just been put in their place.

  Qyree returned his attention back to the three women. “So you coming with me or nah? I ain’t got time to be playing games.”

  For a minute, Chey thought the girl that had just gotten her face cracked was about to bow out gracefully. There was no way she was going to let him talk to her like that and still leave with him. The girl stood there contemplating if she wanted to go because of the way he just played her, but thought against it. If she played his little game and went along with him, she was sure that what she had to offer him would have him coming back for more. That meant the more he came back the more money he would drop in her hands. Qyree was loaded and almost everyone knew it.

  “You right, Qy. My bad. You know I’m going with you,” she said batting her eyes at him.

  “Typical,” Von scoffed and sucked her teeth, and Chey elbowed her in her side to make her stop.

  “Excuse me?” one of the other women said coming to the ringleader’s defense. Von turned her head from side to side then craned her neck to look behind her.

  “Von, what are you doing?” Chey asked. Now Chey was far from being a punk. As a matter of fact, back in her day, she wouldn’t hesitate putting her hands to work. Now that she was older and had a career, her character and reputation were important to her and she wouldn’t dare let anyone bring her down to their level. They could say what they wanted about her walking away from a negative situation all they wanted to, but at the end of the day, the approval of God was the only one she cared about.

  “I’m trying to figure out who this sock puppet is talking to,” Von said causing Chey’s mouth to drop open and tears began forming in her eyes. She wasn’t getting teary eyed because she was sad, but because her inside was screaming in laughter and she was trying not to let it come out.

  Chey couldn’t lie though, the girl looked just like a sock with drawn on facial features. Anybody that saw her could tell that those St. Louis arches she had drawn on her forehead was not life, and she looked flat out foolish. If it was to pour down raining at that very moment she would be in trouble.

  “Sock puppet? I know you didn’t with those thrift store clothes on. You could never get on my level, honey,” the girl called herself clapping back.

  “You’re right, boo. I can’t see myself walking around in those HuaNOTches. So if that’s what it’s like to be on your level, stop the elevator now cause I caaaaan’t,” Von clowned. This time Chey couldn’t hold it in. The fact that Von had just told that girl she had on fake Huaraches and looked like a sock puppet had her dead and waiting on Jesus to accept her in. That last comment must have made her realize she was no match for Von, so she cut her losses and walked off, pulling the girl who had remained quiet the whole time.

  “I’ll catch up with you later,” Qyree told Chey and walked off, trying not to laugh out loud. He didn’t know who Von was to Chey, but whoever she was he could tell that she would make sure to protect Chey at all cost.

  -13-

  “You not coming in?” Fatima asked with the car door open. Her two girls Naja and Drea had already gotten out and was headed towards the front door of her apartment. They already knew what was about to go down and they couldn’t wait.

  When Fatima told them she had bumped into the well-known Qyree Reeves and he had asked her to meet him with some friends so they could get it poppin’, all they saw were dollar signs. Naja didn’t say a word when Fatima made her announcement, because he had asked her too. Her hopes were that once he was finished with the other two, he would slide off with her alone. In order to do that, they couldn’t know. She just had no idea that Qyree would put her on blast like that in front of everybody. There was no way that Tima was going to let her be alone with him and miss out on her meal ticket. They were all ready for a come up.

  “Nah, I’m straight. I need to head back to the city. I got some stuff I need to handle,” he said not giving her too much attention. His mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of Cheynese that he couldn’t think straight. He needed to get somewhere and just think and he couldn’t do that around those three who were only out to try and win his affection with their bodies.
Under normal circumstances he would be all for it. Nothing like hitting and dipping and on to the next, but tonight it just wasn’t in him. Something was pulling at him and he didn’t know what.

  “You got some stuff to handle or somebody?” Fatima sassed yet again. If she hadn’t worn her welcome out before with that first stunt she tried to pull in front of Chey, she had surely done it now.

  Snapping his head in her direction, he looked her over before speaking. Fatima was stacked and she was also beautiful, but her attitude stunk. He had dealt with women with bad attitudes before, more often than not, but it was something about her attitude that was a big turn off.

  “Yo, didn’t I tell you already not to question me? Who or what I do does not concern you. What part of that don’t you understand? You’re not my woman and never will be,” he said, once again crashing her face. But Fatima couldn’t let him leave.

  Fatima had planned it out perfectly when she knew the talent search was coming to the city. She did everything she could to wind up in the path of Qyree so that she could get him to notice her, and it was just her luck that he came through the drive-thru of her job one day. When he asked for her number and told her he wanted to get up with her after the show, she was ready to take her headset off right then and tell Mr. Burney she quit! If she could bed Qy, she would be set for life. All of her attempts before of getting pregnant by a baller had failed, so tonight was a must. She was tired of living from paycheck to paycheck so she had to do something quick to get him to stay.

  “I’m sorry, boo. I don’t know why I be trippin’ so bad. Maybe it’s because I feel such a strong connection and I know it can’t be a coincidence that we ran into one another. Come on in so we can make you feel better,” she crooned.

  Watching the lies spill out of her mouth, Qyree wore a smug look on his face. Fatima was trying her best to get him in there and he knew why. She was a trapper. Not trapper as in dealing with drugs, but a woman whose sole purpose was to come up by trapping a man with a baby. Qyree may have been a lot of things but a fool he was not. He could see it all in her eyes and he was ready to get far away from her as possible. He already had a little situation that he was dealing with in the baby area, and he didn’t need it again.