Flawfully Wedded Wives (9 page)

 

They all stared at her in disbelief. Gone was the pudgy, self-conscious woman who was almost afraid of her own shadow. The woman who stood before them now was stylish, confident, and fifty pounds lighter.

Kina offered a shy wave. “Hey, cuz.”

“Oh, Kina!” Lawson leapt from the sofa and hugged her. “You look . . .”

“Fabulous?” Kina replied, filling in the gap made by Lawson's silence.

“Different.”
Lawson offered a loving smile. “But fab, no less. What are you doing here?”

Kina squeezed Lawson's hand. “I wanted to see you guys. I missed you.”

“Aww . . . ,” Lawson cooed and hugged her cousin again. “Where's Kenny? Is he with you?”

“No. I went by your house first, Lawson. Namon is the one who told me you were here. Kenny stayed at your house with him. He's missed his favorite cousin like crazy.”

“We've missed him too,” said Angel. “We've missed both of you.” Angel glanced over at Sullivan. “
All
of us have.”

Kina cut her eyes to Sullivan. “I don't think all of you have missed me, but thank you.”

Angel looked Kina up and down, still amazed. “I can't believe you're here!”

“Believe it.” Kina nodded toward Sullivan. “Hello, Sullivan.”

Sullivan continued knitting without looking up. “Kina.”

“Last time I saw you, you were out to here.” Kina extended her hand to the size of Sullivan's pregnant belly back then. “Now you don't even look like you've had a baby.”

“I assure you that I did.” Sullivan refused to make eye contact with her. “Don't tell me you've forgotten, Kina. After all, you were the one who announced my pregnancy to Charles, nearly killing him with your lies about my baby's paternity.”

“Sullivan, don't start,” groaned Angel.

“It's okay,” Kina reassured her. “Sullivan is . . .”

“
Right?
” Sullivan proposed.

“I was going to say, ‘Still in that same dark, angry place you were in before I left.'” Kina brightened her tone. “So how's the baby?”

“Her name is Charity, and she's great. So is Charles. So is my marriage.”

“Charity just celebrated her first birthday,” Lawson announced, cutting in, sensing the argument Sullivan was about to instigate. “She's gotten so big, and she's so beautiful and smart, isn't she, Sullivan?”

“Congratulations, Sullivan,” Kina said, extending a compliment. “I'm sure you're an excellent mother.”

Sullivan knit and didn't respond.

Angel diverted Kina's attention. “Congratulations to you too on everything. We never missed an episode of
Lose Big.
You should've seen me running around here and shouting like a fool when you won.”

Kina untied the silk scarf from around her neck and sat down on Angel's love seat. “Thank you.”

Lawson scooted in next to her. “So are you back for good?”

“I don't know. Right now I'm down here shooting some scenes for my reality show. You know, sort of giving a tour of my hometown and where I come from.”

“Are you going to be on another reality show?” asked Angel.

“Well, it's not official, because I haven't signed on the dotted line yet, but my agent has been pitching a show about my life to some TV execs. She thinks there will be a bidding war for it. Apparently, the viewing audience can't get enough of me,” she bragged.

Lawson swelled with pride for her cousin. “You certainly were the breakout star of
Lose Big.
You had the whole world rooting for you.”

“You should've seen my Web site and Twitter feed the night of the finale. I think my site crashed at one point from so many people logging on.”

“All hail Queen Kina!” mocked Sullivan. “The new queen of trash TV!”

“Sullivan, please . . . ,” hissed Angel.

Kina wasn't shaken. “It's okay. I've heard it all, from I lost weight because I had lipo to I beat my child because he brought a bag of potato chips into the house. I'm used to the negativity. I'm just thankful that television has given me a platform to talk about the Lord and lead people to Christ. I get letters and e-mails all the time from people saying how I've inspired them to reconnect with Jesus or turn their life over to the Lord. That's what really matters.”

“You developed a tough skin out in L.A.,” observed Lawson. “I'd like to see E'Bell try to push you around now!”

“I've found strength in the Lord and in myself that I never even knew existed,” said Kina. “Moving out there and getting on that show was the best thing that could've happened to me. It turned me into a new woman.”

“We're so proud of you, Kina,” said Angel. “A lot of women in your situation would've caved in, given up, and quit, but you took everything the devil tried to use for bad and made it work for your good. That's a testimony.”

Kina nodded. “Do you mind if I let my camera guys in?” Kina jumped up without waiting for Angel to reply. “I think they should be capturing this.”

“
Camera guys?
” echoed Sullivan as Kina raced out of the door. “Is she serious?”

“Sully, give the girl a break, all right? We all know what Kina has been through over the past few years. She was beaten by her husband. She went through that horrible time of trying to cope with the fact that Kenny shot and killed his own father. Then all that stuff with questioning her sexuality and getting involved with Joan to the guilt of falling in love with Charles. Not to mention that you tried to beat her up when you found out about it and totally exiled her from our circle, knowing that her friends were the only support team she had. She's been to hell and back. She deserves some happiness right now,” asserted Angel.

“Okay, you can set up over there,” directed Kina, coming back into the house with her camera crew. “Ladies, don't mind them. They need to get some footage for the show.”

“I thought you haven't signed on for a show yet,” noted Angel.

“I haven't, but I will. I've been shooting for weeks. I need to have material already in place when my agent reaches a production deal. I've been uploading snippets on my Web site to let the fans know what I'm up to.” She fluffed her hair a little. “Okay, let's act natural and talk like we've been doing.”

Angel blinked and used her hands to block out the glaring light. “What's natural about having this camera in my face like this?”

“Don't worry. You'll forget it's there after a while. Maybe we should re-create that scene again where I was talking about God and using my platform to lead people to Christ,” Kina said, pondering aloud.

Lawson was a little irritated. “It wasn't a scene, Kina. We were having a conversation. That was a natural moment.”

“Sometimes natural moments need to be tweaked, Lawson, but we won't worry about that now.” Kina pointed at the shawls spread around the room. “What's all this?”

“Oh . . .” Angel picked up the shawl she had been knitting. “You remember how we said we were going to knit and donate shawls in October since it's domestic violence month? We're finally getting around to doing it.”

“I think it's wonderful you all are doing this. Let me help.” Kina looked directly into the camera. “As a domestic violence survivor myself, I would do anything to help the women currently suffering at the hands of their abusers. I've walked in their shoes. I've been where they are,” she stated with affectation.

Sullivan rolled her eyes. “Did you get all of that, cameraman?”

Kina suddenly turned dramatic, tearing up as she spoke. “Sullivan, don't you dare trivialize what I've been through! I barely escaped from E'Bell with my life. I suffered years and years of threats, terrorization, and abuse at his hands. My son and I lived in constant fear. You see this?” She lifted her bangs off her forehead to reveal a scar. “Every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of the day my husband beat me so badly that I thought I was going to lose my very life. I probably would have if Kenny hadn't been there to protect me, so don't you dare ridicule what happened to me or what happens to millions of women all around the world every day. It's only by the grace of God that we are able to go on.” Kina took a deep breath.

“Take a bow, Kina!” Sullivan clapped. “That was beautiful. Did you get all of
that?
” Sullivan asked the film crew, unfazed by Kina's speech. “Maybe they should shoot it again. Only this time, Kina, when you cry, try to do the Denzel Washington one tear thing. You know that earned him the Oscar for
Glory.
”

Lawson and Angel groaned.

Kina mouthed, “Edit that out please,” to the cameraman.

“I have a nice biblical scripture for you, Kina,” Sullivan continued. “‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.' Matthew twenty-three, twenty-five.”

“You know, I think we could all use some fresh air and a bite to eat,” suggested Angel, trying to sound cheerful.

“I know I certainly could use a drink right now,” retorted Lawson.

“No, you go on,” said Kina. “I can't drink. I need my head to be clear in case I get called on to minister to someone.”

“Good grief!” exclaimed Sullivan. “I'll be outside. I need some fresh air. All the hot air in this room is making me gag.”

They watched Sullivan storm out the front door.

“Some things never change,” mumbled Kina. “Or should I say some people?”

Lawson flipped her hand. “Girl, you know Sullivan likes to put on a good show. You've gotta love her, though. She keeps things interesting.”

“If you say so. I just wish she'd let go of all that anger toward me. I know I hurt her, but I'm not going to keep apologizing for something that happened two years ago. Jesus did not die on that cross for us to walk around in condemnation. That's the beauty of being under God's grace. ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,'” Kina said, ending with a quotation.

“Now, Kina, you know Sully is a drama queen, but she'll come around,” promised Lawson. “She misses you, even if she won't admit it. She even tuned in to watch your show once or twice.”

“So what's up with you?” squealed Angel. “You've got lights and cameras following your every move. You pulled up in a big customized Range Rover. It looks like you bought the good, expensive hair weave. You're officially a Hollywood starlet!”

“God has been good to me,” declared Kina. “This is the life He's always wanted me to live. It's the kind of life He wants all of His children to live. Do you have any idea how good it felt to be able to go to that car dealership and pay for my car in cash? I remember how I used to drive around in that ole raggedy ten-year-old Civic, praying that it wouldn't cut off in the middle of the road. Now look at me!”

“I guess that smile is what being half a million dollars richer will do for you,” stated Lawson. “Now, don't go blowing all that money, Kina. I'm sure all these cameras and equipment must be costing you a pretty penny.”

“They do,” Kina conceded. “But I'll make all of it back and then some once the show gets picked up. The way I see it, it's an investment.”

Lawson eyed Kina's feet, recognizing the pricey Casadei sandal strapped around them. “I guess the same holds true for these designer shoes and fancy clothing labels.”

Kina brushed it off. “It's only money, Lawson.”

“
Only money?
” repeated Angel. “You really
are
Hollywood!”

Kina patted Angel on the knee. “Don't you ladies start worrying. I've given the Lord His ten percent. I've put some money away for Kenny's college fund. I'm setting aside some cash to buy a little condo once I decide where I want to settle down, and I'm investing the rest into Ki-Ki's Tees.”

Lawson was thrown. “Ki-Ki's Tees? What's that?”

“It's a T-shirt line I'm starting,” announced Kina. “The viewers really took to all those inspirational sayings and Bible verses they heard me use on the show, so I decided to capitalize on that with the shirts. We go into production in a few weeks.”

“How much is all that going to cost?” asked Lawson, now concerned.

“Cuz, you have to spend money to make money. I told you I have this under control. Stop worrying!” Kina pulled out her compact to make sure her makeup was still intact. “Now, there is one other thing I've done with the money, and it involves all of you. Well . . . maybe not Sullivan, but definitely you, Angel, and Reggie.”

“Kina, we don't want you wasting money on us. That money is to secure your and Kenny's futures,” Lawson maintained.

Kina playfully elbowed her. “Will you stop acting so noble? What's the good of me having all this money if I can't share any of it with the people I love most? Now, tell me, how do you feel about spending the weekend spread out on some marvelous powder-sand beach in the middle of the Bahamas? I've rented a four-bedroom villa for all us to get away, relax, and reconnect. What do you say?”

“It sounds wonderful,” said Angel. “But money is kind of tight for me right now. I don't even know if I could afford the plane ticket.”