Love Like Hallelujah

by Lutishia Lovely

  “Oh, baby,” Vivian murmured. She felt like a weight was crushing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

  She grabbed Derrick’s hand. “Derrick, I have some news. I hope I’m wrong, but everything in me is saying I’m not. And this news is going to affect everyone, and everything, in our lives.”

  Derrick’s mind was spinning. What news could Vivian possibly have about Tootie that had anything to do with them? He thought the saga with Tootie was over. Now that King and Tai knew Tootie’s boy was not theirs, he thought the book was closed. What did Vivian know? Only one way to find out. “Talk to me, baby,” he said.

  Vivian did just that. She talked to him, told him everything: the real reason for Tai’s visit, how Tai had researched and found information on Tootie’s son. How they’d gone to Oxnard to find him, and did, in the Best Buy store. And how the boy was Derrick’s spitting image.

  “What? Oh, hell no.” Derrick jumped up from the couch. “Baby, baby, look. I know you’re upset and I’m sure the boy must have borne a strong resemblance to me for you to react like this, but please, are you kidding me? You cannot be serious. There’s no way the child can be mine.”

  “So you’re telling me you used a condom every time you guys screwed?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then how can you be absolutely positive the child isn’t yours? You know I’m pretty levelheaded Derrick. I’m not prone to go off on ridiculous tangents. And I don’t want this to be true any more than you do, believe me. But I can’t deny what my eyes saw, and I’m telling you, the boy looks like an older version of D-2, and a younger version of you.”

  Derrick looked at her with skeptical eyes.

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “I’m sure you saw what you saw, but no, baby, I don’t believe the boy is mine.”

  “Great, perfect. Let’s go back to the store. I want you to see for yourself.”

  “You want us to get out right now, in rush-hour traffic, to Oxnard?”

  “I want you to see what I saw; I want you to tell me I’m tripping. Believe me, I want to be wrong.”

  “Vivian, you know tonight is Bible study.”

  “Yeah, well, tonight we need to study something else. This is important to me, Derrick. Call Cy or one of the other associate ministers. I need you to do this for me.”

  Derrick stared at Vivian for a moment. Vivian stared back. “Okay,” he nodded. “Let me change my clothes. You’re right, it’s probably best to nip this madness in the bud right now.”

  He walked slowly out of the room, turning once to look at Vivian. She got up, put on her shoes, grabbed her purse, and walked to the doorway. She called Tai, told her the plans, and asked if she could keep the kids for the night.

  “Of course, Vivian. Don’t worry about them, we’ll be fine. You will, too. I know it doesn’t look like it right now, but you’ll be fine, too.”

  It was time to go back to Oxnard. Maybe Derrick was right. Maybe it was totally preposterous to think that Kelvin was his son. But Derrick had confirmed that he had slept with Tootie. So, preposterous? Maybe. Possible? Yes.

  37

  Wait on God

  Stacy was happy and frustrated at the same time. Happy that she and Darius were dating. Frustrated that since that explosive first night, the dating had been strictly platonic.

  His reasons had been noble enough, that he wanted to go slow, take his time. He reminded her he’d been married before and was cautious when it came to relationships. Yet he really liked her, respected her. He admitted that he’d had his eye on her, too, and that he was glad they were taking things to a new level. Then he’d mentioned the “C” word. He’d told her he was celibate.

  Stacy felt as if she was walking a tightwire. On one hand, she wanted to take things one day at a time, too, not appear overanxious. It had taken her a long time to get to first base. She didn’t want to scare him off the field before she’d had a chance to hit a home run. Or get another real good look at his bat anyway.

  On the other hand, they were both grown, and grown people had needs. Neither of them was a virgin, and she was on the pill. She didn’t see any problem with getting a little bit every now and then, especially since she’d seen what she’d be getting. They’d barely been dating a month, but Stacy had been patient for more than two years. She’d go along with his plan for a little while, but eventually, he’d have to go along with hers. She wanted to be with Darius in every way, and every moment they spent together intensified this desire. Whether it was a movie, or dinner, or sitting at home playing that murderous video game, Darius exuded the sexual energy Stacy craved. Give it a rest, Stacy! She stood up abruptly, deciding to find something else to occupy her mind. She was getting wet just thinking about Darius’s thickly built manhood.

  Stacy gathered up the notes on the youth program she’d been working on with Tanya and headed over to the church. She didn’t even try and fool herself into thinking she wasn’t going over there with the hopes of running into Darius. He’d had to travel with Pastor Derrick unexpectedly the week before and wasn’t at church on Sunday. It had only been a few days since she’d seen him, but it felt much longer.

  As usual, there were dozens of cars in the office parking lot. The staff at Kingdom Citizens numbered almost fifty, with a host of volunteers in and out every day as well. Upon entering the lot, Stacy looked around for Darius’s car, but didn’t see it. She pulled into the closest available space, by a yellow MG.

  Hope, who’d met Cy at the church for lunch, was just coming out. “Hey, Stacy!”

  “Hey, Hope. Long time no see.”

  Stacy and Hope had met at one of the Montgomery summer dinners. They’d exchanged numbers and agreed to keep in touch, but Hope and Cy left town shortly afterward. This was the first Hope had seen Stacy since then.

  “I know, and I’m sorry for not calling. Cy and I went out of town and stayed longer than expected.”

  “Oh? Where’d you go?”

  “Visiting family; Oklahoma, D.C.”

  “You are one blessed sistah. You’ve got a few of the women seeing green in this place. Do you know how many had their sights set on Mr. Taylor?”

  “I can imagine, and have felt more than a couple daggers at my back. It’s all God though. I’d have been the last one to believe Cy would be my husband.”

  “How did you do it? How did you get him to commit?” Stacy frowned, looked toward the church. “Men are so skittish when it comes to a real relationship.”

  “Hmm, sounds like this is coming from personal experience. Anybody I know?”

  “Actually, yes.” While Stacy had talked to Tanya about Darius, there was only so much one could discuss with a man’s sister. Hope was married, so she was no threat to Stacy. She was new to the church and with all the jealousy, a bit isolated; little chance of Stacy’s business getting out. Not that she didn’t want everybody to know that she and Darius had a thing going—she did. It would be good to get another woman’s perspective. Hope seemed like good people. She liked her.

  “It’s Darius,” she said after a thoughtful pause.

  Hope hid her shock. Darius? Does she know he’s gay? “Darius Crenshaw?”

  “Yes, our music director. Why are you looking so surprised?”

  Hope tried to change her expression. Obviously she hadn’t hid her feelings well enough. “I just didn’t know he was dating anyone, that’s all.”

  “We just started going out actually, about a month ago. But I’ve liked him for a long time and believe he’s the man for me. He really likes me, too, but wants to go slow, too slow. It’s driving me crazy.”

  Hope didn’t know what to think. There were a zillion questions running through her mind. Did Stacy know about Darius’s past, or his present, for that matter? Were they having sex? Were they using protection? Was he still having sex with the man Frieda caught him with that night? Did that man know about Stacy?

  “Believe me, I know exactly what you’re talking about. I was
celibate for two years before marrying Cy, and there were times I thought I’d lose my mind if God didn’t send me my husband. But if I can give you some advice, some you probably don’t want to hear…Wait on God. Pray about this situation, ask God about Darius. And don’t rush things, Stacy. Everything will happen the way it’s supposed to, in God’s perfect timing.”

  “You’re right; I don’t want to hear that. And between you and me, I’m not trying to be celibate for two more months, let alone two years. Girl, let me get in this church. You’ve got me talking crazy. I barely know you and I’m telling you all my business. See how not getting any is clouding up my mind?”

  “Just don’t let it cloud your judgment,” Hope said in what she hoped was a lighthearted tone. She pulled out a card and gave Stacy her number again. “Call me this week, okay? I could use more friends up here and I really want us to do lunch or something soon. And don’t worry about your business; your story’s safe with me.” She opened her car door. “Remember what I said, now. Don’t do anything crazy.”

  “Don’t worry. Darius seems to be making sure of that.”

  “Good for Darius. That shows he’s a true man of God. You’ll appreciate that if things get serious. Call me.”

  Stacy watched Hope drive away before turning toward the church offices. It just may be that in Hope, she’d found a perfect confidante.

  “Ooh, give me that big dick, baby. Give it to me, hard, yes, just like that. Ahhhh.”

  Bo growled. Darius moaned. Both men lay exhausted after intense orgasms. Darius gave Bo a quick kiss, rolled on his back, and looked at the ceiling.

  Bo turned to face him. “That bitch ain’t ever gonna be able to give you what I just did.”

  “I told you about calling her that. Her name is Stacy.”

  “Well, Stacy needs to stay the hell on away from you.” He reached over and massaged Darius’s limp penis. “This will always be mine. Does she know that?”

  “What she knows is that I’m celibate. I told you how I was gonna handle it. Why do you keep bringing her up?” Darius jumped out of bed and headed for the shower. “Stop being so insecure.”

  Bo jumped up behind him, knew he’d crossed the line. “I’m sorry, baby,” he said, following Darius into the bathroom and turning on the water for him. “I just know you’re going to see her tonight, and you’re going to ask her out to keep up this damn charade, and I’m jealous. I just can’t help it.

  “That’s my dick. I don’t want anybody else touching it. Especially some funky old stank pussy. It would probably shrivel up like beef jerky as soon as it touched her stank hole.”

  “Bo!” Darius said, laughing. Bo was jealous, possessive, obnoxious, overbearing, and funny as hell. He loved him.

  “Just remember, I’m going to be checking my merchandise for use as soon as you get home. With a magnifying glass and everything, baby. Just call me Agent Double-oh-eight.”

  “Don’t you mean Double-oh-seven?”

  Bo looked down at his long penis. “No…eight.”

  Darius laughed again. “You nut.”

  Bo stepped in the shower. “Get on in here so I can bathe you. It’s almost time for your choir rehearsal. Are we still going to the party afterward?”

  One of their wealthy gay friends was having an underground party, one of the many clandestine, strictly gay, male-only parties hosted all over Los Angeles on any given weekend. “Of course,” Darius said, leaning back as Bo expertly cleaned every nook and cranny of his body. “You know I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to show off my one and only baby.”

  “Turn around, let me get your back.” Bo soaped him all over and hugged him from behind. He was grinning from ear to ear. Stacy might be able to be with him on the outside. But Bo was his on the inside, in his heart, where it counted.

  38

  The Truth Is the Light

  It had been days, it had been a lifetime. Vivian was in a place she’d never expected, but in the typical “stiff upper lip” style she learned from her father, and with her broadcast journalism background, she tackled the life-changing event of learning Derrick had a son like a treacherous work assignment.

  Derrick had taken one look at Kelvin and felt Vivian was right in believing the boy could be his son. They’d reached Best Buy around eight that evening, Derrick hidden behind dark glasses and a baseball cap. They’d gone to the TV/stereo section but didn’t see him. So they’d browsed around the CDs and DVDs, until Vivian heard his voice coming from the back of the store. She’d nudged Derrick, and he’d looked around to see a younger version of himself. His heart flip-flopped. He didn’t want to admit it, but a part of him instantly knew there was a connection. He’d stared thirty seconds, sixty, and left the store quickly, not wanting the boy to see him.

  Once back in the car, Vivian had been emotionless, matter-of-fact. “What do we do?”

  “We call Tootie. Ask her point-blank. No need beating around the bush about it. If he’s my son, I need to know. We all need to know.”

  Derrick started the car then, and the long drive home. There seemed to be an eternal silence. Then Vivian spoke. “Tell me about it, the history with you two. And how is it that I never knew?”

  Derrick told her everything: how Tootie was known for being an easy target in high school, and how several boys had been intimate with her on a regular basis. More importantly, he told her about the night after King had broken things off with Tootie for the last time. How she’d come over to his house, cried on his shoulder. Out of all of them, Tootie had genuinely loved King. She was heartbroken to know it was really over, that he was committed to Tai, and would not sleep with her again.

  One thing had led to another and Derrick’s comforting Tootie took on intimate proportions. They’d slept together that night, and again the next morning. Not long after that, Tootie had moved to Los Angeles, and then to Germany. Derrick hadn’t spoken with her since. He’d thought of her infrequently, and of that night, not at all.

  Vivian tried to keep from getting upset by constantly reminding herself that this all happened before she came on the scene, before she’d met Derrick. She almost succeeded, but not quite. She wasn’t too happy with Derrick or Tootie at the moment.

  For now, however, the situation had to be dealt with. She was sure at some point the full reality would hit her and she’d go off: scream, cry, throw things, curse. But for now she relied on the detachment honed as a former broadcast journalist. Do what needs to be done to get the story and solve the problem.

  The next day, she’d told Tai everything, including what she was going to do. Tai called Mama Max and got Miss Smith’s number. Vivian called Miss Smith immediately, introduced herself, told her why she was calling, and asked for Tootie’s number. Just like that.

  Miss Smith, knowing this moment was long overdue, had given her the number without question. It was time to put an end to this mystery, this mess. It was time for the truth to come out. She called her daughter and told her what she’d done. Told her someone named Vivian would be calling, and suggested that Tootie “tell that woman everything she needs to know. Enough’s enough.”

  And it was. When Vivian called, Tootie was ready. Interestingly enough, the truth had been surprisingly easy. It had gone like this:

  “Hello?”

  “Tootie, Janeé, this is Vivian Montgomery, Derrick Montgomery’s wife.”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know why I’m calling?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is Kelvin his son?”

  “Yes.”

  “Kelvin is Derrick’s child?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you be willing to have his DNA tested?”

  Sigh. “Yes.”

  “When can you fly out here? Or we can come to Kansas to meet you. Either way, we need to talk.”

  That phone call had occurred the very next day following Vivian and Tai’s trip to Best Buy. All the calls had been made from Tai’s hotel room. Words could not express how invaluable Tai’s
presence was. Vivian had never experienced anything like this in her life, but Tai had lived through marital upheavals many times. During these times, Vivian had been her anchor. Now, the favor was being returned.

  That was two weeks ago. Today, Vivian and Derrick sat in the lobby of the Hotel Sheraton, waiting for Tootie and Hans to come down. They’d agreed to meet in Los Angeles, since the Petersens had already planned to visit Kelvin before returning to Germany. Vivian still felt detached from the whole situation. It had happened so fast and had been so unexpected; she had still not been able to wrap her brain around the fact that Derrick had a child that was not hers.

  As for Derrick, he’d been all about business. They’d talked long into the night after Tootie revealed that Derrick was Kelvin’s father. Vivian had found out things she’d never known about the man she’d loved for so long. He told her all about his high school days, about how Tootie and King and Derrick used to hang out, she acting like one of the boys. How the camaraderie of their middle school years had turned into sexual liaisons in their high school ones. Vivian asked how two good friends could sleep with the same girl, at the same time. Weren’t there feelings of betrayal, trespassing, something? Derrick had looked at her with compassion then. “No, baby,” he’d said. “You know men don’t feel the same emotional bond the way women do. By the time I slept with Tootie, she and King were just casual friends. Yeah, he was still hitting it, but he wasn’t exclusive. And honestly, I didn’t for a second think any big deal about sleeping with Tootie the night King broke up with her. I even told myself I was doing her a favor, making her feel a little better, easing her pain. It just goes to show what the consequences of casual, unprotected sex can be.”

  Vivian had asked Derrick how he felt about knowing he was the father of another boy. His answer had been simple. “I’ve always handled my responsibilities, and I won’t stop now.”

  They’d decided to wait until they’d talked with Tootie to determine how to proceed as far as the children were concerned. They didn’t even know if Kelvin knew who his father was. Would he want to meet Derrick? Would he want any involvement in their lives? Was he resentful, curious, indifferent? There were a lot of questions that needed to be answered before the next moves were made.