Cherished

by Kim Cash Tate

“I really like that,” Monica said, “but I’ve got all the up-tempo songs I need on this album. The one I was about to record was a slow, worshipful type. Got any like that?”

  Two came to mind, and Kelli chose the one she liked best.

  Monica stared into the distance, listening, and looked at her phone when it rang—a tune that competed with Kelli’s—but she didn’t answer. Moments later, she raised her hand again and made a face. “It’s cool, love the words, but the vibe isn’t really me.” She looked at her assistant. “We got time for one more?”

  Laura gave an iffy nod. “You’ll have to jet right after. Next panel’s about to start.”

  Monica looked at Kelli. “Bring it, girl. Give me your best.”

  Kelli nodded, staring at the keys.

  Stephanie leaned over and whispered, “Kel, think Cinderella. You tried to shove those other songs into the slipper, and they didn’t fit. Choose the one that fits, and you know what I’m talking about. Sing that wedding song.”

  The jitters came instantly. It would be doubly hard to sing today, after seeing Brian. She closed her eyes. Lord, help me. If You want me to sing it, You’ll have to give me the strength.

  Taking a deep breath, she played the first notes.

  After the first couple of bars, Monica glanced at her assistant and looked back down. When she shook her head, Kelli thought she was about to raise her hand again—and she did, this time in praise. She seemed lost in the song, and while she couldn’t pick up all the words easily, she sang the repetitive parts of the chorus.

  “I will love you . . . and I will love you . . . I will love you . . . Yes!”

  Kelli peeked at Cyd and Stephanie, both of whom were about to jump out of their skin . . . and trying to hide it.

  At the middle of the bridge, Monica shook her head again. “Stop. Just stop.”

  The room fell silent. Kelli was confused. Didn’t she like it?

  “We’ve got to call Roxie,” Monica said to Laura. “She needs to hear this. Now.”

  “I agree,” Laura said.

  Monica pushed a button on her phone and waited. “Roxie, whatever you’re doing, put it on pause. I got something for you . . . yes, you need to hear this . . . no, just listen. One second.” She put the phone on the piano. “You mind starting from the top, Kelli?”

  “Not at all.” Kelli ran through the song again, this time to the finish, glad she could keep her composure.

  Monica picked the phone back up and walked across the room, talking to Roxie, Laura beside her.

  Kelli, Cyd, and Stephanie talked with their eyes.

  Looks good, right? Cyd’s eyes said.

  What’s Monica saying over there? Stephanie’s said.

  Kelli’s were cautious. I just don’t know.

  Monica walked back over. “I can’t begin to tell you how pumped I am,” she said. “I like this song better than the one they took from me—ha! Thank You, Lord!”

  “I’m speechless,” Kelli said, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you like it.”

  “Roxie loved it too—she’s my manager. We need the production team to listen, but I know they’ll love it. I’m just now realizing, though . . . you don’t have a recording that I can pass along to them.” She thought a moment. “If I had my MacBook, we could record it here at the conference and send it. Do y’all have one?”

  The women looked at one another.

  “We’re still in PC world,” Stephanie said, “but if that’s all we need to do, it won’t be a problem. When do you need it?”

  Won’t be a problem? What planet was Stephanie on?

  “Like, yesterday,” Monica said with a laugh. “If we can get everybody to sign off, we might be able to get in the studio, cut the song, and keep close to the same schedule we had. That would be awesome.”

  “Let’s see,” Stephanie said. “Today’s Saturday. How about we get it to you by Monday?”

  Kelli and Cyd shared a skeptical glance as Stephanie exchanged information with Monica and her assistant.

  “We’ve gotta run, but I am so glad Brian told me about you. I’ve got to call and thank him.” She turned back around again at the door. “And nobody said you could sing! Girl, you can go!”

  Kelli smiled as they scurried out.

  “Can you believe it?” Stephanie pumped her fist in the air, then hugged Kelli. “All things are possible, baby! Woo! I feel like I’m the songwriter, I’m so excited.”

  Kelli laughed, totally overwhelmed.

  “More like the manager, the way you worked all that,” Cyd said. She hugged Kelli herself. “Looks to me like the door is open, sweetie. Did God make it happen or what? I can’t wait to tell Cedric.”

  “It doesn’t even seem real.” Kelli gazed at the piano again. “But let’s not get too excited. Her production team might not like it.”

  Stephanie put her hands on her hips. “Will you believe for two seconds, please? Just two seconds. Try it.”

  Kelli pondered those words, knowing it was her main struggle. How could she believe God would want to bless her after what she’d done? Forgiveness was one thing; giving her the desires of her heart was something else.

  “So, what’s the plan with the demo, Steph?” Cyd asked. “How do we get that done by Monday?”

  “I’m thinking it’ll be fairly easy,” she said. “I’m calling my new friend, Brian.”

  “No, you’re not,” Kelli said. “I don’t want Brian’s help.”

  “Hello? You’re already benefiting from his help. I’ll bet he’s got a MacBook, and I’m also betting he won’t mind if you use it to record this song and send it to Monica’s people.” She took out her phone. “I’m calling right now.”

  “How did you get his number?” Kelli asked.

  “He gave it to me.” She scrolled through her contacts. “Said ‘anything you need.’”

  Kelli rolled her eyes.

  “Hey, Brian? Hi, this is Stephanie London, Kelli’s sister-in-law . . . Doing well . . . Listen, I hate to bother you again so soon . . . well, thank you.” She mouthed, He’s so nice, to Kelli and Cyd, then explained the situation. “Really? That easy? You don’t have to do that . . . That would be perfect . . . Okay . . . um”—she eyed Cyd— “let’s say tomorrow, Cyd and Cedric’s house . . . I’ll give you a call on our way back . . . Okay, thanks so much.”

  Kelli shook her head. “I can’t believe this. You’ve got Brian coming to the house?”

  “He said he’ll show us how to use the software to record and how to e-mail it. We can get it back to him on Monday. Problem solved.”

  “Problem created,” Kelli said. “I don’t want to see him.”

  “You don’t have to,” Stephanie said. “He can show me how to do it and then he’s gone. But, Kelli, seriously, is he really that bad? I mean, I’ve got my share of old boyfriends, and I’ve definitely held my share of grudges, but don’t you think it might be time to let it go?”

  Kelli looked away, seeing the past. “It’s not that easy.”

  Cyd put an arm around her. “Whatever it was, it’s clear he still cares about you. And he apologized. Counts for something, doesn’t it?”

  Kelli dismissed the question with a look. “It’s easy to apologize and act like you care after the fact. When I needed him to care, he didn’t. That’s what counts in my book.”

  They could call it a grudge if they wanted. Kelli just wanted firm boundaries—Brian could keep to his lane, and she would keep to hers.

  twelve

  FROM THE TOP OF THE STREET, CYD COULD SEE THE balloons flapping above her mailbox. She kept quiet, peeking at Kelli to see if she’d noticed yet.

  As they drove nearer, Kelli exclaimed, “Look! Must be somebody’s birthday.” Then, “Wait, that’s our house! What’s going on?”

  Cyd pulled into the driveway. Before she even cut the engine, the front door opened and bodies poured out—Cedric, Lindell, Dana and Scott, Phyllis and Hayes, all their children—all holding colorful handmade signs that said Con
gratulations! and Future Songwriter of the Year!

  Kelli stared out the passenger side window, eyes wide.

  Stephanie tapped her shoulder from behind. “What are you waiting for, girl? Join your party!”

  The party joined them, surrounding the car and opening their doors.

  “Welcome back!” Dana said as the women got out, stretching from the four-hour drive.

  “I can’t believe you all did this.” Kelli looked from face to face, then turned to Cyd and Stephanie. “You two knew about this?”

  They shrugged, unable to hide their smiles. “Perhaps,” Cyd said.

  Cedric gave Cyd a welcome kiss and hug, then hugged Kelli so tight he lifted her off the ground. “We’re so proud of you, sis. I always knew your talent was special.”

  Lindell hugged her next. “You got it honestly, from your big brother Lindell.”

  Stephanie howled. “If you had any musical sense whatsoever, we might believe it was true.” She kissed him. “Hey, babe.”

  Cedric and Lindell lifted their bags from the trunk and everyone moved inside, where the travelers got an even more enthusiastic welcome from Reese.

  Kelli bent low to respond. “Did you miss me, sweetie?”

  Cyd laughed. “Probably slept in your bed just to feel like you were with her.” She kept walking toward the kitchen. “Mm, do I smell baked beans?” She looked at Dana and Phyllis. “Who brought those?”

  Cedric put his hand to his chest. “Who brought those? I’m hurt. That’s my gourmet beans recipe.”

  “Oops.” Cyd made a face. “Sorry, babe, but you’ve never made baked beans. I didn’t know.”

  “I’ve got lots of recipes up my sleeve. That’s what happens when it takes decades to find the right woman.” He pecked her on the lips.

  Dana’s ten-year-old son, Mark, made a face. “Eww.”

  “Least it wasn’t a movie kiss,” said Mackenzie, two years older. “Aunt Cyd, did you really meet Monica Styles? I have, like, all her music in my iPod.”

  Cyd tweaked her chestnut ponytail. “It’s true, Miss Mackenzie. And guess what? One day you might have Kelli’s song in your iPod, because Monica might record it.”

  Mackenzie blinked. “You’re, like, serious?”

  Mark frowned at her. “Why do you think we’re having a party? Even I knew that!”

  Phyllis’s oldest son, Cole, piped in. “Here’s what I want to know.” His eyes swept Kelli, Cedric, and Lindell. “Mom said you all know Alien. I mean, like, know him.” He paused, his face incredulous. “How come nobody told me before now? I’m his biggest fan.”

  Cedric laughed. “Nobody told me either. I just know him as Brian, the kid who used to be at the house every time I stopped by. I thought my mother had adopted him.”

  Kelli rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Ced.”

  “Cole is crazy about this Alien,” Phyllis said. “Last month he begged to go downtown to this outdoor concert thing at the Arch, but Hayes was out of town and I wasn’t about to tackle that crowd by myself with three boys and a busy toddler.” She looked down at Ella, who was trying to pull Reese’s tail. “Cole pouted for days.”

  “Aw, you could’ve left Ella here,” Cyd said.

  Phyllis glanced at Cole to see if he was listening, then turned back to Cyd. “Don’t be blowing my cover. There were over fifty thousand people down there. Ella was a good excuse.”

  “Well, look how it worked out, Cole,” Stephanie said. “You didn’t have to go downtown to see Alien looking like a speck on the stage. You can see him up close. He’s coming over today.”

  Cole’s expression turned grave. “Alien is coming here? Is this a joke?”

  Most of the adults laughed. Kelli seemed to be taking it in stride.

  “No joke, buddy,” Cyd told him. “He’s bringing his laptop so Kelli can record her song.”

  “I still can’t believe it,” Dana said. “Just a week ago we were praying about all this in the pancake house. I’m so happy for you, Kelli.”

  “Me too,” Scott said. “They tried to make this celebration a DF thing, but I protested. I wanted us all to celebrate. This is unbelievable.”

  Kelli leaned her backside against a kitchen counter. “I know Steph’s gonna kill me—and I’m definitely thankful you’ve done all this—but isn’t the celebration premature? They haven’t said yes yet.”

  “We’re believing they will,” Lindell said. “But you know what? The fact that Monica and her manager loved your song is reason enough to celebrate. I think that’s great confirmation of the gift God has given you.”

  “Well said, bro.” Cedric picked up the Future Songwriter sign from the counter and waved it. “Kel, we’re not just celebrating what is. We’re celebrating all that God’s going to do.”

  The doorbell sounded, and everyone’s face turned.

  “I wonder if that’s Brian,” Stephanie said. “I didn’t expect him so soon.”

  “I’m going to see.” Cole took off for the door, and the rest followed, except Cyd, who lagged behind with Kelli.

  A swell of conversation filled the foyer the moment the door opened.

  “Hey, man! Why didn’t you tell me you were some big star now?”

  “Brian! Good to see you. Come on in.”

  “Guess that’s my cue.” Kelli started for the stairway.

  “But this is your party,” Cyd said. “Don’t let Brian’s presence drive you away.”

  Kelli was halfway up the stairs already. “Hopefully he’ll drop off the laptop and leave.”

  Cyd went to greet Brian as the others headed into the family room, everyone chattering at once. He had a gaggle of kids hanging on him, literally. Even Ella, who’d gotten caught up in the excitement, was pulling on his leg. For Reese, it was a chance to pounce on them all.

  Hayes walked beside him trying to exert some crowd control. “Kids, give Brian some space. He just got here.”

  Brian smiled. “They’re fine. I love kids.”

  “We haven’t met yet,” Cyd said. “I’m Cedric’s wife, Cyd.”

  Brian tossed a glance to Cedric, then back to Cyd. “So you’re the amazing woman who got him to settle down?” He bowed. “I’m honored to meet you.”

  “Don’t start, man,” Cedric warned. “You’ll get a quick escort to the door.”

  “Nah, man, really . . . I’m happy for you. Must be awesome to be with the person you know is made for you.”

  While the kids got distracted with something else, Hayes spoke up. “I was a huge rap fan as a teen and young adult. When Cole told me about ‘Christian rap,’ I thought for sure it’d be corny.” He looked pointedly at Brian. “But your songs make me think.”

  Phyllis couldn’t hide her surprise. “I didn’t know you were listening to Alien’s music.”

  Cyd waited with interest for Hayes’s reply. Phyllis had lamented to the women over the years that she couldn’t even listen to Christian music around Hayes because he’d complain that she was trying to preach to him.

  Hayes paused, maybe realizing he’d revealed more than he’d intended. “I got tired of battling with Cole about what to listen to in the car. Alien’s album snuck up on me. I started letting it play even after I’d dropped Cole off.” He looked at Brian again. “I . . . walked away from church as a kid because my mother had an affair with the pastor, and my dad left us. But I’m starting to see it’s not about one pastor or even about ‘church.’” He paused, and it was clear he was reflecting. “Your songs penetrate.”

  Brian and Hayes continued their conversation, and Phyllis turned toward Cyd.

  Wait till Cole hears this, she mouthed. And then in a low tone, “He’s been praying so long for his dad.”

  “Excuse us a sec, Phyllis,” Cedric said. He pulled Cyd aside. “You plan to talk to Dana and Scott while they’re here?”

  Cyd glanced over at them and sighed. “I think I have to, but I sure don’t want to.” She looked into Cedric’s eyes. “How did you know I’d decided?”

  “I
could hear it in your voice when we talked this morning. I knew that’s how God was leading you.”

  From the time Cyd talked to Logan, the conversation had weighed on her. Stephanie and Kelli had been so focused on the Monica development that they’d forgotten to ask about it, which was fine. She wanted to pray and talk to her husband about it. “This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

  “Cyd.” He tipped her chin. “I remember another hard thing you had to do. You had to beat me back with a stick when I was trying to lead you places you didn’t want to go. You will never go wrong when you do what you know God wants you to do.”

  “I know.” She sighed again. “But she’s my best friend, and I know this will hurt her.”

  CYD TOOK THE SEAT ACROSS FROM DANA AND SCOTT AT the dining room table.

  “This seems so serious,” Dana said. “Why do you need to talk to us right now? Did something happen?”

  Cyd nodded slowly. “At the conference.” She looked into both their faces. “Heather was there.”

  “Heather? That’s what this is about?” Dana’s face tensed. “Come on, Cyd. She’s the last person I want to talk about.”

  Cyd put her hand up. “I totally understand. This whole thing took me by surprise.”

  Scott reached for Dana’s hand on the table. “What’s going on, Cyd?”

  “I don’t know the whole story, but somehow Heather ended up without a place to stay, and Logan put her up in his room.”

  “She’s got her sights on Logan now?” Dana’s voice rose an octave at least. “He can’t be that stupid. She’ll be the downfall of his ministry.”

  “He wasn’t in the same room. He stayed with a buddy.” Cyd chose her words carefully. “From what he said, though, whatever happened caused Heather to really examine her life. Logan prayed with her.” Cyd paused. “She committed her life to Jesus.”

  “Praise God,” Scott whispered under his breath.

  Dana cut her eyes at him. “Praise God? You’re falling for this? It would be nothing for her to fake a spiritual experience just to get next to Logan.”

  Scott didn’t respond but looked at Cyd. “Where do you come in with all this?”