Don't Tell A Soul (11 page)

YVONNE

 

 

 

 

A
fter I had dinner with Eva, I agreed to meet with Kingston for a late dessert at this little bistro on Coventry that also has a live jazz band. I don't think he was happy about me skipping out on our dinner date, but he has to understand how important ministry is to me. Eva needed me more this evening than Kingston did.

I talked to Pastor Brown for her, and Eva will be able to move into one of the church shelters on the first of the month. She also shared that she never graduated from high school, so Pam and I are going to help her study for her GED examination.

“So the young lady at Bible study tonight is your new project?” Kingston asks.

“She's not a project. She's a soul that needs saving.”

“I didn't mean it in a negative way, Yvonne. I just noticed that you've been paying her a lot of attention since she started coming to New Faith. That's a good thing. We should always mentor the newly converted.”

“She's got a few things to overcome, but she's off to a great start.”

“What about us? Are we off to a great start?”

I smile at him and take a small bite of my caramel apple cake. “I was wondering when the conversation was going to turn back to that.”

“You knew that it would.”

“I did, but I wanted to see how you would transition. You're pretty smooth.”

Kingston strokes his tie and chuckles. “Yes, I am.”

“So last time we talked about me. I'm from the South, divorced, been here in Cleveland for twenty years, and now I teach English to a bunch of rowdy, hormonal teenagers. Tell me about you.”

“I think you know that I'm from Detroit. I used to sing in an R & B group before I accepted Christ.”

“Really? What were you called?” I ask.

“The Operators. We were a local sensation, and we did a lot of shows. We opened up for New Edition once.”

“Were you the lead vocalist?”

Kingston nods. “Yes, one of them. I hit the high notes when necessary, and my cousin Joseph did the low parts.”

“Oh, so you were out there hitting high notes like a DeBarge, huh?”

“I was better than a DeBarge.”

I frown and scrunch up my face. “I don't play when it comes to DeBarge. You better take that back.”

“What's your favorite DeBarge song?”

“‘Time Will Reveal.'”

To my surprise, Kingston jumps up and walks over to the band. He whispers something to the keyboard player and then takes the stage.

The lead singer says, “I want y'all to give it up for our brother Kingston. He wants to serenade his lady tonight. Some of y'all might know him from church, but this cat here used to have more panties thrown at him than Prince in his heyday.”

Kingston laughs and takes the microphone. “Maybe not Prince, but I'll do my best. This is for a real special lady.”

I blush as Kingston starts singing one of my favorite songs. When he hits those high notes, I forget all about El DeBarge. I stand from my seat and dance in front of the table when he gets to the chorus.
I know just how you feel, but this time love's for real.

Then I'm not only dancing, but also singing along, like we're the only ones in the restaurant. Usually I'd be looking over my shoulder to make sure no one from church was looking at me, but something about Kingston makes me feel so carefree.

When Kingston is finished with the song, everyone in the restaurant gives him a round of applause and a standing ovation, but no one is clapping louder than I am. He walks back to our table with a smile on his face and gives me a chaste hug. Then he waits for me to sit before he takes his seat again.

“I hope I didn't ruin your song,” Kingston says. “I did my best.”

“You know you were up there blowing! I'm surprised that microphone didn't melt.”

Kingston laughs so hard that his shoulders shake. “That was fun. I haven't sung anything like that in a long time.”

“It was great. I am really enjoying myself.”

“Me too. You know, I almost gave up on asking you out.”

“I'm glad that you didn't.”

Kingston places one hand over mine. “I'm glad you finally said yes. What would you like to do on our next date?”

“It's up to me?”

I don't even know what to say. I'm used to a man making all the decisions in a relationship. I never had any choices with Luke. It was all about what he wanted, and I was just supposed to submit. I didn't even know what I liked to do until I left him.

“Yes. The next date is your pick.”

“Well, I like boats. Do you want to go to Put-in-Bay? We can ride the ferry across at Port Clinton and spend the day on the island.”

“That sounds romantic, Yvonne.”

“Does it? Oh, I didn't think of it that way. I thought it would just be fun.”

Kingston grins and tastes his coffee. “I would love to have a romantic day with you. Don't apologize for dreaming it up. I'm looking forward to it.”

Well, now I just feel foolish. I know Kingston is enjoying this teasing, but I am not at all comfortable with being romantic with him. I'm just getting used to being his friend.

“I'm looking forward to it also.”

I drag my gaze away from Kingston's beautiful hazel eyes and stare into my coffee cup. I am so glad that he is all the way across the table and has no idea about the way my heart is pounding.

“Is there anything else you want to know about me, Yvonne?” Kingston asks in a non-flirtatious, but still friendly tone.

“Why aren't you already married?”

Kingston raises his eyebrows and turns up his coffee cup, finishing it off. Then he slowly sets it back down.

“Straight to the point, huh?”

“Was that not a second-date question? Was that more like a fifth-date question? Forgive me. I've never dated anyone.”

“Not even your ex-husband?”

I shake my head. “If you call coming over to my mama's house after Bible class dating, then I guess so, but it wasn't anything like this.”

“That's kind of a good thing. I can pull out every play in my playbook, and it'll be brand new to you.”

“I'll still know if you can step it up some. I do have girlfriends, you know.”

“I know you do. I'm just glad to get the opportunity.”

“Mmm-hmm . . . Now answer the question.”

“Oh, well, I've been married twice already. Both times they left me.”

Now, this is information to take back to Pam and Taylor for analysis. Two women left him? Either he's really unlucky in love or you can't tell by looking at him that he's got some issues.

“I know what you're thinking now,” Kingston says when I don't reply. “You're wondering what is wrong with me.”

“I'm just waiting for your explanation, if you want to give one. If not, I won't press you for it.”

“The first marriage I was too young. We were both too young. She decided being married to a musician wasn't as fun as it seemed like it would be.”

“What happened to the second wife?”

Kingston laughs, even though I'm as serious as a heart attack. “She's happy and healthy in Los Angeles with her second husband. He was her high school sweetheart, and she decided he was her soul mate.”

I'm not silly enough to believe that there's not much more to these stories, but at least he is willing to share something private about himself. Everyone in our church knows my story. Luke is an infamous legend.

“So would you get married again?”

“Absolutely! I don't think I've found my soul mate yet.”

“Soul mate? I hear people say that all the time, but I don't think I know what it means.”

“I think it's that one person that God has picked out for you.”

“Well, that's pretty simple.”

“I don't think love is supposed to be hard.”

“I don't either.”

Kingston smiles. “That's a great thing for us to agree on, Yvonne.”

“Can we agree on one more thing?”

“What's that?”

“You singing another song?”

If Kingston's almost permanent smile can get any bigger, it does. “Yes, ma'am. But this time I'm not singing DeBarge.”

I sit in my chair, brimming with excitement as I watch Kingston talk to the band members. Then he gets on the microphone again, and he winks at me and grins before the music starts.

When I hear the first few notes of the song, I put my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming like a teenager. It's “Hello” by Lionel Richie—one of my favorite love songs. And as much as I love me some Lionel Richie, I think Kingston's got him beat. The raw emotion in his voice when he sings “Tell me how to win your heart, for I haven't got a clue” scares me a little.

Oh, Lord Jesus. It scares me a lot.

TAYLOR

 

 

 

 

T
his is so not the time to have this little meeting with Luke, but he insists on pressing the issue. Joshua has been home with me every day, since he's been expelled for the rest of the school year, and he's on my last nerve. I don't know what I was thinking when I said I was gonna homeschool this boy. And he's got the audacity to still have something of an attitude about Spencer spanking him. I bet he won't fix his mouth to call me out my name again.

Luke wanted to meet at our house, but I wasn't having that. He said it was to make Joshua more comfortable, but I think he's trying not to spend any money on his son. Don't get me wrong. I know it's not just about a check; it's about the relationship, too. Joshua may not be lacking a thing on the physical needs side, but somehow Spencer and I aren't connecting with him like we need to be. Maybe if Joshua sees how much of a loser Luke is, he'll recognize that Spencer is a winner.

To make it easy on Luke's wallet, we're meeting him at Applebee's, and as usual Luke is late. He always wants someone to anticipate his arrival. He may be redeemed or whatever, but he's still completely as self-centered as ever.

Joshua sees him step into the restaurant before I do. It's like my baby has immediate recognition. He has seen Luke before, but I didn't expect him to remember Luke.

“Is that my father?” Joshua asks.

“That's Luke.”

I should've just said yes, but I can't bring myself to call Luke his father. Spencer rubs the middle of my back, as if he understands my struggle. I know that he doesn't exactly know how I feel, but he tries to be of help.

Luke spots us at our table and rushes over. His has a big, friendly smile on his face, even though I'm straight up mean mugging. Joshua looks as if he hasn't decided how to feel yet. He's not smiling, but he's not frowning, either.

It's almost like he's in anticipation of something. I know that look. I remember having it when I was a little girl, every time someone said anything about my daddy. My aunties would say, “She looks just like her daddy,” and my mother would say, “Even if he don't come around, your daddy does love you.” And my brothers and I would get excited, but I think neither of them felt it more than I did.

The older I got, the more that anticipation turned to disappointment, because my father never did step up to the plate. I never even met him; I only saw faded pictures my mother saved. I hope Luke doesn't disappoint my baby. If he does, he's going to have to deal with me.

Still smiling, Luke sits down at our table, across from Joshua. Spencer and I flank Joshua on either side—a protective stance.

Luke extends his hand to Spencer, and Spencer looks at the hand as if it's diseased, but finally shakes it. Luke chuckles at this and doesn't bother to shake my hand or Joshua's.

“Hello, Joshua,” Luke says. “I'm Luke Hastings, your father.”

Both Spencer and I flinch, but neither of us responds to Luke. We decided ahead of time to intervene only if he says something damaging or hurtful to Joshua. I'll read Luke later, but right now, in front of my son, I'm going to be the bigger person.

“Why haven't I met you before this?” Joshua asks.

I want to jump up, do the cabbage patch, and give my son two high fives and a fist bump. My baby might have a few anger management issues, but he is not stupid, not by any stretch of the imagination. Luke thinks he's gonna come up in here charming folk. Nope. Not!

Luke clears his throat and looks at the table. Then he stares into Joshua's eyes with a look so intense, it makes my muscles tense.

“I don't have a good answer to that question. I was married to my ex-wife when you were conceived, so that is part of it. Then . . . well, I guess I haven't been a good person. I'm trying to change. I think God has already forgiven me, but I'll have to earn it from everyone else. I'm sorry that I haven't been around, Joshua, but I sure am glad to see you now.”

Joshua stares back at Luke, unblinking. “Nice to meet you.”

I didn't know I was holding my breath until I exhaled. Joshua stands up from his seat, walks around the table, and encircles Luke with his arms. Luke hugs him back, nearly crushes him with a bear hug. Both have tears in their eyes, and even I feel emotional at this scene.

When Joshua was little, all I ever wanted Luke to do was acknowledge his son in some way, even if he couldn't raise him. I wanted him to place a hand on his head and say, “This boy is mine. He belongs to me.” It didn't happen then, but it's happening now.

Although Luke and Joshua's connection is heartwarming, Spencer's expression is heartbreaking. He hasn't had a hug from Joshua in months, but this buster blows in from never-never land and gets all the love and understanding our son can give. I want to stand on the table and demand that Luke stop all this hugging and get current on his child support payments.

My son is a bigger person than I am, it seems.

“Now that I've listened to God and reached out to you, nothing can keep me from you, son.”

“Do you like soccer?” Joshua asks. “I play soccer and basketball.”

“I love soccer, but I can't play much anymore.” Luke points to his eye patch. “But I can watch you with my other eye.”

“What happened to your eye?” Joshua asks as he sits in the seat next to Luke. I don't like this. He's moved outside of my protection.

“I was in a fight in prison.”

“Did you win?” Joshua asks.

“No, son. I lost my eye and the fight.”

Joshua seems disappointed, and I'm surprised. I expected Luke to say something like, “You should see the other guy.” None of this is turning out the way I think it should.

“You got him later, right?” Joshua says.

Luke shakes his head. “No, I didn't. I prayed for him.”

“What?” Joshua says. “That's lame.”

“Maybe it is. But I went to prison because of my anger. I didn't want to stay there because of it.”

I can't take this anymore! This saint routine is going to make my head explode!

“Can we order something to eat?” I say. “I'm starving!”

Luke and Joshua snap their heads in my direction simultaneously, both looking annoyed that I ruined their moment. Whatever. And they have the audacity to look like twins, too.

“Mom, next time can I see my dad by myself?” Joshua asks.

“We'll talk about that later, baby.”

“Let's talk about it now, Taylor,” Luke says.

Oh no, they don't think they're about to double-team me. I don't even think so!

Spencer says, “Luke, we've been cordial and agreeable to you thus far, but you are not in control of this situation. We can let the courts decide if you want to press the issue.”

“I don't believe this has anything to do with you, Spencer. My son is not your concern.”

“My wife is my concern, and so is Joshua. I've raised him, and I was there when you weren't.”

“You don't need to remind me of that. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my son being raised by someone other than me. But I'm back now, and I'm not going anywhere.”

My stomach sinks like a boulder in my midsection. I've never seen Joshua this happy, and I've never been more fearful of the future. Luke's declarations sound like threats.

“You're not running anything, Luke,” I say.

He shakes his head and sighs. “Taylor, I wish you and your husband had waited until after dinner to threaten me. Arguing before a meal always ruins my digestion.”

Looking at Luke and hearing his voice do more than ruin my digestion—they turn my blood ice cold. I don't care how many churches he's started and how many fiancées he has, this man has not changed, and I'd be a bad mother if I let Luke and his demons into my son's life unchecked.

I am a great mother.