A Wife for Stephen

by Valcine Brown

  is not concerned with wealth to share my heart with. I want

  a woman who will be a good mother for the children we

  have together. In short, I want you.”

  Completely floored by what she has just heard, Celeste

  stands staring at Stephen with her mouth wide open. “Better shut your mouth before you catch a fly,” says

  Stephen as he reaches out with the tip of his finger

  underneath her chin.

  “You know, I think I have had about as much of this as

  I can take.” Looking heaven ward she says, “My God, is this the punishment I get for allowing Jenny to talk me into

  attending this concert with her?”

  “I’ve been called many things in my life but never

  someone’s punishment. Look Celeste, let me lay it on the

  line for you. I’ve gotten extremely close and personal with

  God over the past couple of years, and He knows the

  desires of my heart. Not only does He know them, but He

  is the one who put them there. He knows that I desire to

  leave this crazy business and pursue my ministry for Him.

  He also knows that I want to have a family of my own. “I had always known that when I met my wife I would

  know it. I didn’t know how I would know,” Stephen

  continues, “I just knew that I would. So when I saw you

  tonight from the platform, I knew you were she. The

  woman I will spend the rest of my earthly days with. “The one thing that I had not considered is that you

  wouldn’t know the same about me.

  Maybe I have been a little too forward, but that’s just

  how I am. I don’t see the need to wait around when life

  isn’t promised to you from one day to the next.

  “If I have shocked you by anything that I have said, then

  for that I apologize. But I’ve done nothing else for which I

  feel the need to apologize.

  “If I must let you go home now then so be it. I will wait.

  When the time is right for us to be together, then God will

  make it right. Until then, I’ll see you around.”

  And just that fast he turns his back on her and goes to

  whisper something in the security guard’s ear. Celeste is

  too far from the men to hear what Stephen is saying, but

  she has a feeling that it somehow involves her when the

  security guard makes eye contact with her while he is

  nodding his head in agreement with whatever Stephen is

  saying. When Stephen finishes speaking to the guard, he

  turns to give Celeste a smile with eyebrows raised as if daring her to deny that she will see him some time again,

  and slowly nods his head to her.

  As Stephen makes his way back into the club, the

  security guard comes to Celeste’s side, “Mr. Haule has

  requested that I retrieve your car from the valet lot. May I

  please have your claim ticket?”

  “What?”

  “Mr. Haule...” the guard begins again not showing the

  least amount of impatience at Celeste having not

  understood the extremely straightforward request that he

  has made of her.

  “No. I understood you. But I can’t leave yet. My friend

  is still inside. We rode here together.”

  “Well, if you would like, I can retrieve your vehicle

  while you go and get your friend. That way your car will be

  waiting when you return.”

  “Okay,” murmurs Celeste as she takes her claim stub

  from her handbag and places the stub in the security

  guard’s hand. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”

  “Your car will be waiting,” he says as he nods to her

  and turns to go about his task.

  As Celeste reenters the club, it takes her eyes a few

  seconds to adjust to the dimly lit interior. When her eyes

  are able to focus well, she begins to walk back to the

  staircase that will take her up to the VIP lounge. Upon

  making her accent to the landing she sees Jenny on the

  dance floor with Mario. Hating to interrupt them, since

  they do seem to be having such an enjoyable time together,

  she approaches them slowly.

  “Hey, Jenny?” Celeste begins, “I’m about ready to

  leave. I certainly do hate to break up your evening,

  though.”

  “Oh, no problem. I’ll catch a ride with Mario, Celeste.”

  Turning her eyes to Mario, Jenny questions, “You don’t mind do you? I would like to stay a little longer. Since I don’t have any clients until noon tomorrow, I can afford to

  stay up a little later tonight.”

  “Of course not. I would be more than glad to escort you

  home,” Mario answers.

  “You don’t mind going home by yourself do you,

  Celeste?” Jenny questions as she turns her eyes back to

  Celeste.

  “No, not at all.”

  “Then it’s all settled,” says Jenny. “I’ll give you a call at

  work in the morning when I get up. Drive safely,” Jenny

  commands as she hugs Celeste’s shoulders and places a

  light kiss on Celeste’s cheek. Before breaking off the

  embrace, Jenny whispers in Celeste’s ear, “Thanks for

  coming with me tonight, to the concert and to the after

  party.”

  Smiling, Celeste gives Jenny a quick squeeze before

  releases her. Turning to the leave, Mario catches Celeste’s

  arm before she departs to ask, “Where’s Stephen?” Celeste can only answer truthfully, “I don’t know, to be

  honest.”

  “He isn’t walking you to your car? That’s not like him,”

  Mario comments with a frown. “I’ll escort you,” he

  volunteers.

  “No, that won’t be necessary,” says an all too familiar

  voice from behind Celeste. Celeste turns so fast she almost

  loses her balance and is saved from falling only by the hand

  that Stephen is now placing on her elbow. “The pleasure

  would be all mine. After you,” Stephen offers as he steps

  aside to allow Celeste to lead the way.

  As Celeste begins her final descent down the steps she

  silently prays that she will just be able to get through the

  next few minutes without wrapping her hands around his

  wide throat then she will be safely tucked in her car and on

  her way home.

  Walking a few feet behind Celeste, Stephen is forced to

  watch the reaction of most of the men in the club as Celeste

  walks by. Even the men that are talking to other ladies are

  taking a quick glance at her. And as if one look isn’t

  enough, they are taking second and third looks as well.

  Stephen wants desperately to rest his arm over her shoulder

  and beat his chest claiming his rights. However, he knows

  he has no rights. Not yet.

  If it weren’t for the strong belief that no matter what the

  obstacles are at this moment, they will end up together, he

  would feel bereft and without hope. One thing that he has

  learned in the past few months as he has been setting up

  plans his starting his own Gospel recording label when his

  contract is up with his current secular record label is that

  patience truly is a virtue.

  Stephen has learned that we can’t always have things

  when we want them, even if they are good things of noble

  charac
ter. Sometimes one has to wait on God’s timing.

  And since God isn’t giving Stephen any hints right now as

  to His timetable, Stephen knows it is for the best to keep

  still and be quiet. Making plans only to himself.

  Celeste unquestionably is a beauty, thinks Stephen. And

  not just with earthly beauty; there is spiritual beauty as

  well. Although Stephen has yet to delve its depth, he is

  confident it runs deep.

  Finally arriving at the exit door for the club, Stephen

  reaches ahead of Celeste to hold the door open for her exit.

  Caught by a sudden wind that wasn’t present earlier that

  evening, Celeste brings her hands up to rub her arms as she

  shivers.

  “Let’s get you in the car where you will be warm,”

  advises Stephen.

  Seeing that Celeste is properly seated in her vehicle with

  safety strap securely fastened, Stephen holds out his hand to Celeste as if in an invitation to shake it. When she places her hand in his, she is surprised when he brings it to his

  mouth and places a soft butterfly kiss across her knuckles. “Good night, Celeste,” murmurs Stephen quietly.

  “Please be careful on the road. I wouldn’t want anything to

  happen to you before we get a chance to see each other

  again.” Without giving Celeste a chance to respond,

  Stephen closes her car door and walks back through the

  entrance to the club.

  Chapter Five

  So many things have happened in the brief few hours since Celeste had picked up Jenny from her home to attend the concert with her. Now not being the time to dissect each event in turn, she sets her mind to the task at hand of navigating through the streets of Hollywood to the 101 freeway to get home.

  This time of night, well morning Celeste mentally corrects herself, there shouldn’t be too much traffic. If she makes good time she should be home within forty-five minutes, considering it’s mostly freeway from the club to her house.

  The drive home, just as Celeste had expected, is a remarkably easy ride. She finds herself able to take some of the concentration off of the freeway to ponder over tonight’s events. He wants to marry me! Yeah right, Celeste murmurs sarcastically to herself. She can’t believe that Stephen would outright lie to her face. But since she doesn’t know him from Adam, she doesn’t know what he is capable of.

  Celeste has met many men in her life, and a fair share of dogs as well, but not once had one of them had the gall to look her in the face and out and out lie to her. That’s not completely accurate, she catches herself up short; dogs are faithful and loving. They don’t poop where they eat and lay. Also, Celeste must take into account the other things Stephen said to her about his faith in God and his desires for himself being the desires that God has given him.

  Any man who can speak with such conviction must have strong ties to the Heavenly Father. Celeste realizes at that moment that there is a war going on inside of her head, a war to discern fact from fallacy. Only, at this moment, she is unable to decipher which is which.

  “I know who knows the answers though,” Celeste confirms to herself. “When I get home I will call Him up and see what the deal is.”

  Watching Celeste drive away is the hardest thing that Stephen has had to do in a long time. Feelings of confusion begin to engulf him. Remembering that God has placed him on a firm foundation reassures him that all is well. He recalls a scripture that has gotten him through many of tough situations; ‘All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose.’

  Stephen does not purport to know everything, or even most things, but one thing he is sure of is his relationship with Christ and that God takes care of His own.

  As Stephen walks back into the club and through the throng of dancers, he sees Jenny and Mario huddled close together on the dance floor. Not wanting to interrupt, he decides to wait for them at the table.

  After a few more songs the couple makes their way to Stephen’s table to join him. Stephen waits patiently for Mario to get Jenny situated before entering into a conversation in which he intends to gain as much knowledge as possible about Celeste Brooks.

  The conversation is a friendly one in which Jenny is telling Mario about her career. Apparently Jenny is the owner and proprietor of a beauty salon and has a faithful clientele. Stephen is afforded the opportunity to find out more about Celeste when Jenny starts to talk about her childhood with Celeste.

  “So, you’ve known Celeste quite a while, then?”

  Stephen asks.

  “Yes, since junior high school.”

  “But, you two seem to be so different from each other.” “Well, I wouldn’t say that we’re all that different. She is

  my best friend after all.”

  “I just mean that while you chose to stay, she, on the

  other hand, couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I must

  admit, I am perplexed. I’ve never been shunned by a

  woman before,” Stephen confesses.

  “Don’t take it personal. Sometimes life’s experiences

  can make us rough around the edges, but if anyone would

  dare to nudge just a little bit closer, he would soon find out

  how warm the heart is.”

  “Since we’re being honest, I don’t mind telling you that

  I would really like to get to know Celeste better, but she

  shut me down.”

  “She didn’t actually shut you down. It was more like she

  was shutting down the opportunity.”

  “Opportunity?” Stephen asks in bewilderment. “No offense, but is he always this slow or did he just get

  off the short yellow bus?” she says to Mario before

  continuing to speak to Stephen directly, “I’ve already said

  much more than I should have.” Jenny pauses for a second

  before saying; “I will say one more thing, though. Celeste is

  a special woman. Stay close but not too close. Be

  persistent but not too persistent, and you’ll find out what I

  mean.”

  “I don’t even have a way of getting in touch with her.” “I can remedy that. Give me your cell,” Jenny

  commands. When Stephen hands it to Jenny, she inputs

  Celeste’s home and cell number. “Give her a call, and I mean soon. If you wait too long, she won’t take you

  seriously.”

  “Thanks Jenny,” Stephen says as he takes his phone

  back from Jenny’s hand. “Good looking out.”

  “Oh, I’m not looking out for you. I’m looking out for

  Celeste. Now, I will warn you. If you hurt her, you’ll

  answer to me,” Jenny says with a glint of determination in

  her eyes so fierce that Stephen thinks to himself that Jenny

  is not a woman to tangle with.

  “I won’t, Jenny. I give you my word,” Stephen vows. “That’s what I wanted to hear,” she says before turning

  her attention and bright smile back to Mario.

  A few more minutes of light conversation goes by

  before Stephen decided to excuse himself and give the

  couple some time to themselves. Rising from his chair he

  says, “Well, I’m gonna get going, Mario. I’ll catch you at

  the studio in the morning.”

  “Cool man. Drive safely,” Mario says as he rises from

  his chair and gives Stephen a pound.

  “And it was a pleasure meeting you Jenny. I’m sure I’ll

  be seeing you again,” says Stephen as he shakes Jenny’s

  slender hand.

  The first thing Stephen does after he gets into his car is

  to pull his cell phone from his coat breast pocket. After

  pulling up the number
that Jenny has put into his phone,

  presses the send button and places the phone to his ear,

  listening to the ringing. He is not surprised that there is no

  answer. He leaves a message on her machine, feeling quite

  unsettled.

  Just as Celeste expected, the drive home was less than

  45 minutes. As she pulls her car into the garage, she thanks

  God that she has made it home safely and is looking

  forward to getting into her comfy bed and getting a good

  night’s rest.

  Walking into her living room and turning on the side

  table lamp, she sets her keys on the end table by the door in

  the marbled bowl where she usually places them. Hearing

  her arrival, Thomas rises from his padded doggy bed and

  makes his way across the taupe colored carpet to greet her. Celeste keeps a very tidy and uncluttered home. The

  taupe wall color is a mirror image of the wall-to-wall plush

  carpeting. The gold colored frame of the wall mirror that

  hangs above the large couch in colors of rich green,

  burgundy, and earth tones, is an eye catcher that draws one

  to the gold toned angels that adorn the wall to either side

  of the wall mirror.

  Throughout Celeste’s entertaining rooms, there are

  many gold tone decorations from the candle holders which

  set atop her dining room table which flanks her living

  room, to the streaks of gold which run through the

  mirrored wall of her dining room. The wall mirror is clearly

  of early seventies, but Celeste had not the heart to change

  it, so instead, made it the theme of the rooms.

  Kneeling down she sticks her face close to his and

  allows him to lick her hello. After greeting her, Thomas

  turns on his back. With lying on the floor, he offers Celeste

  a furry belly to rub.

  Faithfulness, Celeste thinks to herself. This is what she

  wants most in the man she marries. Celeste never wants to

  go through what her mother went through when Claudine

  discovered that her husband of 15 years had not only

  cheated on her with another woman but had fathered a

  child as a result of the affair.

  The taste of bitterness that permeates Celeste’s mouth is

  indigestible. Shaking her head, she pushes those thoughts

  away. Many times she has had to do the same thing. When,

  she wonders, will these awful feelings stop haunting her? When will she get over the hurt and sting of betrayal to get