Crowning Glory

by Pat Simmons

  Karyn shook her head to test the curls. Briefly, she wondered how Halo was faring as one of Levi’s groomsmen. He never smiled around Levi, but watched his every move. Halo had said it was to keep her future husband on his feet.

  Nalani sniffed as she approached her. “This is it. I love you.”

  “I know.” Karyn swallowed to rein in threatening tears. “You’ll never know how much I love you for being in my corner these past years. There is no one like you, and I’m so blessed to be your sister.”

  “The honor is all mine. See, I got baptized because of your example, and I witnessed the evidence of the Holy Ghost experience. Oh,” Nalani said, flustered, “I better go before Levi comes looking for you.” She kissed Karyn, adjusted the straps on her bridesmaid dress and glided out the room.

  Alone, Karyn took a deep breath to relax. Suddenly, she felt a pat on her dress. She had forgotten about Dori. She knelt and adjusted the fresh flowers delicately weaved into Dori’s single braid. “Yes, sweetie?’

  “Do I have to leave? I don’t wanna.”

  Karyn frowned. “Why? What’s the matter?” Karyn clasped Dori’s hands and chuckled at the white glitter fingernail polish Buttercup had applied that morning.

  “I want to walk with you because Daddy said he wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off you. That way Daddy can look at both of us.”

  God, I don’t deserve the two blessings You are about to give me, but I thank You. Karyn swallowed so she wouldn’t tear up. “Okay,” she whispered.

  “When the minister tells Daddy he can kiss you, can I kiss you, too?”

  “Absolutely, but you can’t call me Miss Karyn after we kiss.”

  Dori covered her mouth, worried. “Can I call you Miss Mommy?”

  She tweaked her nose and smiled. “You don’t have to call me Miss anything.”

  Dori jumped up and down, spilling flower petals from her basket and a white envelope. “Be still. You want to look pretty for Daddy, remember?” Karyn reached down and picked up the envelope. Her name was scribbled across it. “Who gave you this?”

  “Daddy told me to give it to you, but I forgot.” She gave Karyn an angelic look.

  As Karyn opened the envelope and slipped out the card, Deacon Deacon, not only the church’s van driver, but an aspiring organist, struck the first keys of the Wedding March off key, then Deacon Deacon sailed through it.

  Karyn, I promise you my undying love, my unwavering faith in you, and my fierce protection of your heart. I’m honored to be your husband. Come to me. Levi

  “Hurry, Miss Karyn, there’s the du-du-du du music.”

  Laughing at Dori, Karyn allowed her soon-to-be daughter to drag her out of the room. Together, they began their coordinated steps down the aisle.

  ***

  Karyn’s beauty captured all of Levi’s senses when she first appeared in the doorway with Dori. Levi grew concerned when his daughter didn’t march out as planned. All kinds of scenarios swirled in his mind. He started to sweat.

  It seemed as if Rossi could read his thoughts. “Chill, Tolliver. Nobody wants you but Karyn.”

  Levi started tapping his foot when it appeared Karyn was either taking baby steps or had stopped moving. He contemplated taking off down the aisle, but Rossi crushed his shoe on top of Levi’s.

  “Don’t worry. It’s patent leather. It won’t leave any footprints or dull the shine,” Rossi whispered.

  “She looks like an African princess,” Levi stuttered.

  “Close your mouth, man, and go get your woman.” Rossi gave a slight shove.

  Levi hurried to Karyn’s side and lifted her in his arms. There were pockets of chuckles and sighs in the audience.

  “Let me down. You’re not supposed to carry me until the honeymoon.” Karyn giggled as she held on tighter.

  “Watch me,” he said defiantly, then planted her in front of Pastor Scaife who shook his head. “We’re ready, sir.” Levi was so charged he gave the minister a salute.

  “Oh, boy,” Rossi softly joked.

  Pastor Scaife read a short passage from the Bible then nodded for them to recite their own vows. “Sister Karyn.”

  “Levi, although I’m speechless at the magnitude of your love for me, I promise to cherish that love by honoring you, being your strength when you’re weak, following your guidance, and forsaking all others for you.” A tear spilled from her eye.

  He reached under the short veil to catch it, then it was his turn. “Karyn, thank you for agreeing to share the rest of your life with me. I will cocoon you with protection, love, and honor…”

  When Levi choked on more words, Pastor Scaife took advantage of the pause and pronounced them husband and wife. “Brother Tolliver, you may now greet Sister Tolliver.”

  The pastor stepped back, giving Levi free rein to kiss his wife as the cheers, snickers, and claps exploded around him. His kiss was thorough, tender, and it would have been longer if it were not for Dori calling his name as she yanked on his pants leg.

  “Daddy, I need to kiss Miss Karyn so she can become my mommy.” His daughter was almost hysterical. “Come on, Daddy. You’re taking too long.”

  Levi lifted his daughter with one arm. With Dori in the center, Levi and his new bride bestowed kisses on their daughter. “It’s official. We’re a family.”

  CHAPTER 54

  Months later…

  A crowd swelled around the restored Majestic Theatre, one of three historic sites in downtown East St. Louis. It was the grand opening of Crowning Glory. Levi squeezed Karyn’s shoulder and whispered, “Ready?”

  Taking a deep breath, Karyn swallowed. All her dreams had come true. She stared into her husband’s eyes. Moisture blurred her vision. “Yes and no.”

  “Come on, babe. What’s going on in that beautiful little head of yours? By the way, you look pretty today, Mrs. Tolliver.” He massaged her back, coaxing her to talk.

  “After I was released, I thought I could conquer the world just on my faith—”

  “You conquered me,” he mumbled against her lips.

  “But if this grandiose plan doesn’t work, it could be a disaster for your professional reputation.”

  “We know that’s not going to happen. We have the backing of Senator Coleman, civil leaders and endless sponsors. I signed on to your dream the day I fell in love with you. God opened the door that no man or woman can shut.”

  Karyn fingered his bottom lip then kissed him until the mayor of East St. Louis cleared his throat. Levi stole one more smack.

  “We’re ready.” Levi grinned.

  Earlier, Jet made her presence known with a small group of protestors. Levi was about to confront her when Rossi waved him off as he headed to diffuse the situation. Not long after that, cheers, whistles, and applause drowned them out until they dispersed while a couple of community leaders gave speeches before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

  Karyn, Buttercup, and Halo posed for the media, then turned the lock on the door, signaling they were open for business. True to their word, Crowning Glory offered limited free services, employed two barbers who were former convicts, a manicurist from the local community, and two certified masseuses. Six hairdressers were on board with Buttercup as the head stylist and Karyn would be the business manager, keeping her former roommate, who served time for forgery, away from the checks, cash, and credit cards. Halo would serve as their one man security when he wasn’t filling in as a barber or tending to the maintenance of the shop.

  Tia strolled in as their first customer followed by other Tolliver family members. Pastor Scaife stated he needed a haircut and First Lady Scaife needed a touch up. Friends from Crowns for Christ Church were steady customers all day.

  Everybody oohed and ahhed about the décor of soft pastel color walls accessorized with daring dark furniture selections. The contrast was stunning. Buttercup’s brainchild.

  After an hour of doting, Tia and Levi’s mother happily paid for their services and was about to leave until Halo stopped them at the doo
r.

  “One moment, ladies. Our services are not complete without your token.”

  Posted at the door, Dori discarded one of the home-baked cookies donated by the church and dug into a big box. She uncovered a miniature gold rhinestone tiara with the store’s logo from a pool of tissue paper. “You have to bend down, Grandma, you’re too tall.”

  Mrs. Tolliver did as instructed and Dori carefully positioned the tiara on her hair so as not to mess up her hairstyle. “You get this, too.” She handed her a scroll, which contained a scripture for every day of the week printed on it. “Thank you, baby.”

  “You’re welcome, Grandma, but don’t lose your crown because you won’t get a new one. You have to bring it back with you, right Mommy?”

  Karyn nodded.

  The shop remained busy until the close of the business day. Karyn was about to be the last to leave when Levi stopped her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked tiredly.

  “One person forgot to get pampered,” he stated.

  That wasn’t possible. Every customer had been served, receiving personalized attention. “Who?”

  “You.” He guided her back to the area designated for foot massages and pedicures.

  “Do you even know what you’re doing?” She giggled.

  “Consider it on-the-job training.”

  ***

  Another month later, Levi walked through the kitchen, removing his tie after he shut the garage door. He hugged Karyn then looked at his daughter.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Hi sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head as she finished her homework at the kitchen table.

  Turning back to Karyn, he scanned her pretty figure then locked in on her face. “You look tired. Was the shop busy today?”

  She nodded and mouthed, ‘I need to talk to you.’

  Levi lifted a brow. “Now.”

  Karyn shook her head. “After dinner.”

  A sinking uneasy feeling hit him. “I don’t think so.” He reached for Karyn’s hand and led her out the room. “We’ll be right back, Dori.”

  “Okay, Daddy, but if you kiss Mommy too long this time, I might get hungry,” she said without looking up at them.

  “I’ll remember.” Levi closed the door of their bedroom and guided Karyn to a lounger. He knelt beside her. “Baby, what’s wrong?” When tears began to fill her eyes, he panicked. “What?”

  Without answering, Karyn got up and went into the bathroom and returned with a colored strip. He held his breath. Did that mean what he thought it meant? Her expression gave no clue on how he should respond. Standing, he asked, “Is that what I think it is?”

  She nodded.

  “Yes, we’re going to have a baby.” He grinned, pumping his fist in the air. “Yes.” He hurried to Karyn and wrapped her in a hug. He had lifted her off her feet when Dori opened their door without knocking.

  “Mommy, Daddy, I’m hungry. See, I told you ya kiss too long.” She skipped out the room as Karyn sniffed.

  For a few seconds, he held Karyn while she cried. “What if I hurt my baby again?” Karyn finally asked.

  Levi frowned. He hadn’t thought about that.

  CHAPTER 55

  A baby. Family, friends, customers, former van riders were ecstatic. The body of Christ immediately added them to numerous prayer lists. It wasn’t unusual for some customers to have a brief impromptu group prayer on Karyn’s behalf before leaving the shop.

  “God gave me my assignment weeks ago,” Rossi told Levi and Karyn over the phone. “We’re going to pray the devil off his seat.”

  The couple sought counseling with Pastor Scaife since Levi had decided to change church membership to hers. Levi bought every book he could find on postpartum depression and stayed up late at night surfing the web for information.

  “Baby, did you know you have a greater chance of suffering from postpartum again?” he had mumbled with an almost defeated sigh as he lay next to her. He seemed to shake it off. “Well, without a test, there is no testimony.” It had become their words of encouragement to each other.

  One Friday evening, Karyn was at home while Levi surveyed a new job site; Jet had Dori for the weekend. The devil seemed to wait until she was alone to tempt her with fear. During those times, Karyn would pray until, sometimes, she cried. The doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting any visitors so she looked through the peephole. Smiling, she opened the door. “Come on in, Mom Tolliver.” The women embraced.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I stopped by,” she said, removing her coat as they walked through the foyer to the living room.

  After taking a seat, Mrs. Tolliver patted Karyn’s hand. “I want to share something with you.”

  “Sure.” Karyn was glad for the company.

  “When I was pregnant with Levi, I was miserable. I had morning sickness that seemed as if it never was going to stop. I kept waiting for the ‘happy about having a baby’ moment. It never came. I couldn’t wait to deliver. Once I did, my mood didn’t change.

  “I became withdrawn. My mother and friends said it was nothing more than the baby blues, but I just didn’t feel right.” She frowned. “Levi was a handsome little thing and a good baby, but I just felt overwhelmed.”

  Karyn closed her eyes. She understood the overwhelmed part very well.

  “Then when I had the twins, I would’ve given them up for adoption if I thought Victor would’ve let me.” Mrs. Tolliver didn’t smile. “But I had a good husband, like you. He didn’t complain about my mood swings. He loved me despite it all, like Levi loves you. I’m wondering if I suffered from some form of postpartum depression. I bought that Brooke Shield’s book. Even the rich and famous aren’t exempt from suffering from it. I didn’t realize that the baby blues describes mood swings for about two weeks, and anything longer—up to two years—could be signs of postpartum depression. I had no idea there was a name for what I might have experienced.”

  Compassion. That’s what Karyn saw in her mother-in-law’s eyes. Karyn choked. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m mustering as much faith as I can, but I’m scared.”

  Mrs. Tolliver opened her arms, and Karyn scooted over and fell into them, sobbing. The woman stroked her hair. “I’ll be beside you every step of the way. The Tollivers are your support system. Plus, your sister and that Butternut woman, I guess she won’t stress you out.”

  Karyn laughed at the mix-up on Buttercup’s nickname. “God sent her to me when I was released. She was my sanity and satire. It wouldn’t be the same without her.”

  Weeks later, Karyn and Levi met with a highly-recommended psychologist who specialized in postpartum depression. To Karyn, the doctor appeared too young to know anything. Dr. Lee Hayes manifested his wealth of knowledge as he responded to their every question. “Mr. and Mrs. Tolliver, it’s very important to know that a prior diagnosis of postpartum depression doesn’t mean it will recur.”

  Out the corner of her eye, Karyn saw Levi physically relax. When Dr. Hayes held up his finger, Levi stiffened.

  “But…Mrs. Tolliver does have a higher chance of suffering from the illness after subsequent pregnancies. You—” he pointed at Levi—“need to watch for symptoms.”

  In hindsight, Karyn had already learned them. Levi, on the other hand, said he ached and prayed for her.

  “It’s genetic if one or both parents have experienced depression. Poor appetite or overeating could be a sign of stress or a feeling of being overwhelmed. Fatigue, low self-esteem, helplessness…”

  “Wait a minute,” Levi interrupted. He eyed her before carefully phrasing his question. “Dr. Hayes, that sounds like every woman I know on a given day. Even our daughter shows bouts of self-esteem issues.”

  Dr. Hayes nodded. “Fair enough, but if Karyn—Mrs. Tolliver—would begin to feel her life is worthless, she begins to blame others for her condition, which would basically be you.” He didn’t crack a smile. “If she begins to talk incoherently about ending her life or the baby’s, those are red fla
gs.”

  Levi reached over and squeezed Karyn’s hand, then massaged her fingers. “That’s not going to happen.”

  The doctor nodded. “I agree. With weekly therapy and medication and prayer, your wife will be fine. The most important thing is not to compare her experience to that of your friends, mothers, or others during her pregnancy. Don’t put too much pressure on her that would make her feel like she has to be a superwoman, super wife, or supermom.” Dr. Hayes paused and studied her. “Incidentally, I understand you’re a stepmom. How are you adjusting to that role?”

  “I’m not.” Karyn thought Levi was about to pass out from shock, so she clarified her answer. “I’m adjusting to being a mom. We do not use the term step in our household. I’ve never been this happy in my life.” She glanced at Levi and she had never seen him look so relieved.

  ***

  Levi escorted Karyn to every obstetrician and therapy appointment. More than once she complained he was overwhelming her, trying not to overwhelm her.

  “I promise if I feel anything out of the ordinary like using a pan as a flying saucer at your head—okay that wasn’t funny—I won’t hide it from you. Our baby and our happiness are too important to me.”

  That earned her a kiss. “Good answer, Mrs. Tolliver.”

  Her smile was brilliant in return. “Okay.” She stretched her arms behind her head while she lounged in a recliner “The baby wants some strawberry sherbet.”

  Levi chuckled. “Why do I have a feeling that our baby is going to have me wrapped around its finger before he or she arrives?” Shaking his head, he went to do her bidding.