“You will be able to get on the Internet if you need to,” Micah said. “There is a collection of movies and PlayStation games available on board, as well.”
“This tour bus is incredible,” Tamara commented to Micah.
“I like for my artists to travel in style. You will be going to Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, San Francisco and then back here to Los Angeles. You’ll fly out the day after the L.A. concert—I’ve already arranged for your ticket.”
“Are you coming with us?”
Micah shook his head no. “Not on the bus,” he responded. “I’ll be flying to Seattle tomorrow for the concert.”
“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll see you then.” Tamara had hoped they would be traveling together. She had so many questions for Micah.
She wanted to know what inspired him to start his record company, why he wasn’t performing himself and how serious he and Sunni were. She and Micah had ten years to catch up on, but apparently, he was not as curious about her life.
She and Micah embraced before he departed the bus.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he promised.
A couple of band members started up a game of chess while another played his PlayStation. One was sitting across from her in the lounge with his eyes closed, listening to his iPod device. Justice Kane was in the back of the bus talking to the road manager and one of the female background singers. He had decided to ride on this bus for the first leg of the trip.
Justice joined her a few minutes later.
She spent the morning listening to him and making notes as he talked about the effect music had on him and how it essentially saved his life.
“I went to Micah’s store one day, and this music came on that really spoke to my spirit and I just started singing.”
“Was this a song that you had written?” Tamara asked.
He shook his head no. “It just came to me. I could see the words in my mind. I know you think I’m tripping, but I’m not. I have never been able to remember any of that song since that day. I guess it was just meant for Micah’s ears. We started working together after that.”
“Is it true that he put up the money for your first album?”
“He sure did. I didn’t have nothing but a police record. Micah told me that he would rather invest in my future than have me out there trying to steal the money for a demo. I ain’t gon’ lie—that’s what I was gonna do. After that song, I was determined to get the money for my album by any means necessary, but you know what? It wouldn’t have worked out this way.”
“So how exactly did music save your life?” she asked him.
“It gave me a dream. Micah told me that God don’t give you a vision without giving provision. I believed him.”
“I read in People that you’re very passionate about helping other young men get their lives together. What are you doing outside of the concerts to promote anti-gang activity and speaking in the schools?”
“I sponsor two Pop Warner football teams—one in the ATL and the other one in Los Angeles. I also have a college scholarship fund to send kids to college who may not be straight-A students but have the desire to better their lives. I’m considering building a boarding school for boys somewhere in the Midwest who really want out of the gang life. I want to put them in a safe environment, and the location will have to be kept quiet. I’m still working all that out, you know?”
“This is all very impressive.”
He smiled. “Somebody held out a hand to me when I was out there. I have to pay it forward, you know? Do the same thing. Help others because everybody deserves a second chance.”
She nodded in agreement.
Tamara made more notes as they discussed his new album.
When they stopped for lunch, Justice returned to his bus to take a nap.
She navigated to her own suite and shut the door to type up her notes.
Tamara liked to write while the story was fresh in her mind. She turned on her iPod handheld, stuck her earphones in and worked.
Three hours passed before she emerged from the suite to get bottled water from the fridge.
One of the background singers approached her.
“So how are you enjoying yourself so far?” she asked. “I’m Marty. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier.”
“Marty, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Tamara. Things are going well. I love the bus.”
“By the end of the week, you may not feel that way,” she said with a chuckle.
“How long have you been touring with Justice?”
“About a year now,” Marty responded. “He’s my cousin. When I lost my job, he offered me this gig. I don’t like being away so much from my family but it keeps a roof over our heads.”
“How many children do you have?”
“Two. My son is almost five and my daughter is two. They’re with my husband. He lost his job six months ago. He’s in school trying to finish up his degree so that he’ll be able to apply for some management positions.”
“Marty, that’s wonderful,” Tamara stated. “But I’m sure it’s hard with him in school and having young children.”
“Thank the Lord for my mama. She watches them when I’m on the road and Terry’s in class.” Marty picked up an apple and bit into it. “Do you have any children?”
“I don’t,” she responded. “Maybe one day. Hopefully a husband will come before the baby.”
“A woman as pretty as you won’t have any problems in that department. I saw the way Micah was looking at you. You definitely have his attention.”
Tamara smiled. “Micah and I have known each other for over ten years. We were best friends in college, but after graduation we lost touch with each other.”
Marty became animated. “So this is the first time you two have seen each other since you graduated?”
She took a sip of water and nodded.
“That’s so sweet,” Marty murmured. “I love reunions of any kind. It’s just something special about a coming together in unity.”
“Would you like to watch a movie or something?” Tamara asked. “I have that huge suite to myself. We might as well enjoy it.”
“Do you mind if I ask Yuri to join us?” Marty inquired, referring to the other female singer.
“That’s fine. The more the merrier,” Tamara responded. “Hopefully, the others won’t think that we’re antisocial.”
Marty laughed. “Girl, they’ll be thrilled that we’re not out there trying to watch some chick flick or Lifetime. Yuri and I usually end up in the suite watching television most of the time.”
“Oh, no…did I get you kicked out of the suite?” Tamara questioned. “I could sleep in one of the bunks.”
“You don’t want that, trust me.” Marty took another bite into the apple. “I’ma go get Yuri. We’ll be back there in a few minutes.”
Tamara enjoyed spending time with the women. Marty and Yuri were very friendly and both possessed a wonderful sense of humor—something they stated was necessary when on the road.
They continued bonding over dinner. She listened in amusement as the women heaped praises on Micah about how thoughtful he was and how blessed Tamara was to have him as a friend.
That evening, she changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt for bed. After she pulled down the covers and climbed inside, Tamara pulled out her journal and began writing.
August 30
I can’t believe that I’m actually on tour with Justice Kane—at least the West Coast leg of the tour. The crew and band have all been so nice and friendly. They’ve gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed.
I really thought that Micah and I would have some time to just talk but he’s really a busy man. He’s flying to Seattle tomorrow for the concert, but I’m sure Sunni will be with him so we may not have the chance to talk then, either.
I don’t know how I know this, but that woman is not as nice as he thinks she is—when he wasn’t around, she got in her share of digs but I simply ignored h
er. I didn’t come out here for drama. I am not sure how I should feel about Micah never once mentioning me to her. I guess he must have really hated me.
At times, he seems like the person I used to know but then other times he acts so distant. It’s all my fault.
How could I have ever believed those boys? I should have known better—Micah had always been a perfect gentleman. I should have realized that when he professed his love for me it wasn’t a ploy to get me into bed.
He had been speaking from the heart, and I rejected him in the cruelest way possible.
The next day Micah took an early morning flight to Seattle.
He wanted to spend some quality time with Tamara before the concert. This was her first trip to Washington state, and he wanted to show her around the city.
Micah wavered between forgiveness and unforgiveness where she was concerned. Although Tamara had given him an explanation for her actions, he wasn’t convinced it was for that reason alone. There was more that she wasn’t telling him. Until he knew the truth, Micah was not sure that they could ever recapture the closeness they once shared.
Micah arranged to have his overnight bag delivered to his suite after checking in, then headed straight to see Tamara.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she told him. “This city is beautiful. At least the little bit I’ve seen so far.”
“While the others are in rehearsal, I thought I’d take you on a tour of the city,” Micah announced. He smiled in that old familiar way that used to make her heart turn over.
The sound of her voice did things to Micah. Just seeing her again nearly left him breathless. He sat down to try to hide his state of arousal. Micah tried to wrench himself away from his thoughts of Tamara in various states of undress.
“You don’t mind?” she asked, bringing him out of his reverie.
“Not at all. There are some places I’d like to show you.”
“That would be great,” she responded. “I’m dressed and ready for once.” Dressed in a crisp white sleeveless shirt and a pair of walking shorts, Tamara was ready to tour Seattle.
“You might want to change your shoes. Those sandals are nice and fashionable, but I’m not sure they’re going to be so comfortable.”
Tamara gave him a sidelong glance. “So what should I wear?”
“A pair of tennis shoes,” he suggested.
She smiled. “I have those. Give me a minute to change.”
Micah laughed.
“I was still ready,” she uttered. “This doesn’t count.”
Tamara glanced down at her feet and said, “They don’t go with my outfit. I think I need to change.” She glanced up at him. “Don’t you utter a word.”
They left the suite thirty minutes later.
“Our first stop is going to be the Woodland Park Rose Garden,” Micah told her. “I know how much you love roses. They have over two hundred sixty different types of roses.” He further explained, “The garden is one of twenty-four All-America Rose Selections Test Gardens in the United States.”
“I can’t wait to see the different varieties. My mother has been experimenting, trying to come up with a new hybrid tea rose.”
“What about you?” Micah asked. “Are you still into gardening?”
Tamara shook her head no. “Not since my grandmother died. I think that I loved it because I enjoyed being with her. Micah, I miss her so much.”
She put a hand to her neck. “When I lost the necklace she gave to me…things just haven’t been the same. It was really special, and I felt close to her when I had it.”
Micah glanced over at her. “Your grandmother is in your heart. You do know that, don’t you?” He remembered how upset Tamara had gotten when she realized it was gone. He vowed back then to find one like it because he knew how much that piece of jewelry meant to her.
“Yeah, I know, but it would be nice to have something of hers to keep with me. That necklace always made me feel safe.”
As soon as Tamara stepped out of the car, her sensitive nostrils caught the mixed fragrance of exotic roses. “It’s so beautiful,” she murmured as they entered the park.
“Am I allowed to take pictures?” she asked. “My mother would love to see this.”
“You can take as many photographs as possible.”
Micah reached over and took her hand, leading her along the winding paths and through soft bright green grass. There were hundreds of explosions of bright colorful blooms everywhere.
Tamara enjoyed the feel of his skin touching hers. It had been a long time since they walked anywhere holding hands like this.
“This reminds me of old times,” she confessed, savoring his touch.
Micah smiled but did not respond.
She was touched that he remembered her love for roses and brought her to Woodland Park. Tamara felt like they were reconnecting finally. Maybe now he would let down the wall guarding his heart.
Tamara released his hand to take several digital photos to e-mail to her mother when she got back to the hotel.
“Do people get married out here?” she asked.
Micah nodded before responding, “All the time.”
“I can see why. It’s so romantic.”
“Yeah, it is,” Micah agreed, his eyes focused on Tamara’s face. “Being surrounded by so much beauty.”
Tamara shivered a little from the way Micah was staring at her. She loved him so much, but now was not the time to make that declaration. She did not want to scare Micah away.
They walked through the entire park, stopping every now and then for Tamara to get a closer look or inhale the fragrance of a particular hybrid.
“Micah, you’ve got to smell it,” she stated. “It has a very exotic scent.”
He bent down and sniffed. “You’re right.”
His face was so close to hers. Tamara tried to slow her racing heart as she straightened up her body.
“You okay?” Micah inquired.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
Tamara took more photographs. “My mom is going to love these pictures.”
“I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
“Micah, I am,” Tamara confirmed. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
Deep down, she was thrilled to have this time alone with Micah. If she were going to win back his friendship, they needed to become reacquainted with each other.
“So where are you taking me now?” Tamara questioned as they headed back down to the car. She was really enjoying herself and prayed that Micah felt the same way.
“To Snoqualmie Falls,” Micah answered. “Have you ever heard of it?”
“Yeah,” Tamara uttered. “I’ve heard that the Falls are unbelievable. I can’t wait to see it for myself.”
They made small talk during the drive. Tamara did not want to push Micah too hard. She knew that he needed a chance to feel comfortable around her.
Micah and Tamara walked along the paths through the two-acre park hand in hand listening to the roar of the whitewater as it tumbled over granite cliffs.
Tamara noticed that there were several secluded picnic areas—perfect surroundings to share a romantic lunch.
They strolled along the tree-lined trail, and then went up to the gazebo inspired observation deck so that Tamara could take pictures of the two hundred seventy foot waterfall.
“We used to always talk about traveling to Africa to see Victoria Falls,” she reminded him. “Do you remember that?”
Micah nodded. “We had planned to go to Egypt, too. Remember? We talked about seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We were going to travel the world.”
She chuckled. “We made a lot of plans, didn’t we?”
A strange, faintly eager look flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, we did.”
“Did you ever go?”
Micah glanced over at her. “Where?”
“To Egypt,” Tamara replied. “I read somewhere that you went to Africa. You supplied several schools with computers.”
“Ebony did a big article on that,” he responded. “But to answer your question, I haven’t gone to Egypt. In all honestly, I guess I was waiting on you.”
“Micah, we should go,” Tamara blurted. “Not this year but next summer. What do you think?”
“I don’t know that we’re ready to take trips together, Tamara. We still have a lot to work through, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just take this one day at a time,” Micah said with quiet emphasis.
“Of course,” Tamara murmured. She was thrown by the coolness in Micah’s tone. There was no warmth in his words.
I’ll just have to work that much harder to get him to trust me again, Tamara decided. Theirs was a friendship worth saving.
After taking in all that the park offered, Micah and Tamara ventured to The Falls Gift Shop. They paused to check out some of the memorabilia. Tamara purchased a few items for Kyra, her sister and her mother.
Micah hadn’t said much since they left the shop, but he warmed up a little by the time they sat down to have lunch. He was more himself then.
They enjoyed burgers and shakes at the Snoqualmie Falls Candy Factory while watching candy being made.
“This is so cool,” Tamara whispered. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”
Her words amused Micah. “You need to get out more.”
She gave him a gentle jab with her elbow. “Stop being so mean.”
“I’m just saying…”
“I have a life, I’ll have you know,” Tamara said with a chuckle. “I’ve learned to enjoy going to dinner alone, going to the movies and I even take in a few NFL and NBA games.”
“Okay, then what you need is a man.”
“Now you sound like Mama,” she uttered. “That woman is always trying to hook me up with somebody. I think her friends are starting to keep their single sons hidden away.”
Tamara and Micah laughed.
“My mom was like that before she died. She wanted me to get married and settle down,” he said.
“How long has she been gone?” Tamara asked. She had met Micah’s mother shortly after he began tutoring her. She was a very religious woman who had little patience for nonsense. A college education was very important to her and she constantly reminded Micah to stay focused.
Teach Me Tonight Page 6