* * *
That evening as Renata was driving home she listened to Lexie’s instructions with growing dismay but knew she didn’t have a choice but to follow through. A lot of celebrities used that tactic. It was interesting to hear some of them complain about the paparazzi, but some of them even leaked where there would be hanging out at any given time so their pictures could appear in People and US Weekly. Black celebrities had to work twice as hard to appear in the mainstream magazines. It was rare for them to feature a cover magazine with a woman of color or even pictures in the gossip sections. Lexie was unique, though. She had earned more covers than most. Her beauty did transcend color. People of all races could appreciate it because she didn’t really look black or white but a mixture of Native American, black, white and Asian. She had a little bit of everything. But when she filled the bubble that said race, she filled in African American. Her soul was African American, and so was her upbringing; everybody knew a drop of black blood in an ocean of white still meant you were black. In Hollywood, in order to get more roles you had to have a look that wasn’t too black, and Lexie was that.
Renata punched in the numbers that would start the chain reaction of gossip, news and fantasy. There was a long procession of people used to leak information to the right photographers and journalists and wannabe journalists, the paparazzi.
After the calls she directed her car towards her beautiful apartment. Working for Lexie meant she could afford the nicest places, and the more success Lexie had meant the more successful she became, too. As a publicist and personal assistant to Lexie her job was to work with a team of promoters, magazines and managers just to make sure Lexie’s image was the way they saw best to sell movies and generate more money for her and the major studios. Fostering the girls had been Renata’s idea. Lexie had balked at the idea of being tied down.
“I’m already the face for so many children’s organizations. I speak at fundraisers, I donate millions to African orphans, what more?” Lexie had sulked, pleaded and ranted. “They wouldn’t let me be a spokesperson for AIDS because of my past, but I do practice safe sex.” She didn’t mind giving her money and some of her time, but having kids in her home was huge! Even temporarily. It was too much and she knew she admitted to not having any motherly feelings.
“My mother was never there. She was more concerned with her boyfriends than she was ever with us.” Renata listened as Lexie relived her past. Yes, her mother wasn’t a good role model. Her mother used men to get what she wanted and Lexie was taking after her, though Lexie would never admit it. Her mother had also sold pictures of Lexie to magazines and conducted interviews that were damaging to her reputation. Mother and daughter had not spoken for five years.
Renata had listened to all Lexie’s reasoning but eventually Lexie had come to accept that her image would be worse if she didn’t change the public’s opinion of her. Renata also pointed out to her that most of the celebrity moms were still able to work, attend parties, date, and still raise a family. Being a single mother with the kids would be a plus and would give her positive publicity for a change and also help the two orphans. They had to make her appear selfless, warm and loving and not the selfish, man-eater that she had been portrayed as before. Renata felt guilty as she thought of Madison and Morgan.
Chapter 18
Clare had a secret passion that she never wanted to share with the women she led at Calvary Worship. She absolutely loved magazines. One of her secret dreams was to start her own fashion magazine, but with articles that would interest Christian women of color and uphold the values she knew most women with her beliefs held. Until that magazine was made Clare read a lot of mainstream magazines. She loved Oprah’s magazine O, of course, but read Essence as religiously as her Bible. Her secret passion was the other trashy magazines that told more lies than truths about Hollywood couples. The one she was reading now was making her blood boil. In the “couples alert” section of the tabloid she saw a picture of Lexie and Amari sharing a lunch and smiling at each other like lovebirds. Of course the caption only made her feel worse.
Is Lexie finding a father for her two orphans with a married NBA basketball star?
How could they print such garbage? Not only was Amari married, he was also a man of God, a man who had morals and a man who loved her daughter.
Clare knew Raven would be at the center. Clare decided to visit with Raven at the center. With the new renovations the place was becoming a bigger haven for children. Raven spent most of her time there, and since Amari left for L.A. Raven was also focused on the huge fundraising gala for the clinic in Kenya. Who could blame her? With a husband who spent more time on the road than at home the girl had to keep herself busy. Her advice to Raven was to have a baby straightaway, but she wanted to wait until after the latest changes to the center were completed.
Clare nearly had a heart attack when she saw the police cars outside the center.
“Oh, Jesus, let my baby be all right,” she said as she parked her white SUV awkwardly outside the center. When she opened the door she almost collapsed with relief when she saw Raven talking to the officers, her hands on her bewildered face.
“Mom,” Raven said, shaking her head.
“What’s wrong?” Clare asked, looking around.
“There was a robbery. I’m just giving a statement to the police.”
“Oh, no. What did they take?”
“All the computers and the karaoke machine. I don’t know what else is missing.” Raven waved her hands around. She was clearly in shock. But she was about to get into an even bigger shock.
“Give us a call if you remember anything else,” Officer Owens said, handing her a business card. Raven nodded, grateful for the officer’s kindness. When the police left Raven turned to Clare.
“Would you like some tea? I think they left the kettle,” she said and tried to smile. It had not been an easy week.
“You could do with a cup, too. This neighborhood is not safe anymore,” Clare said.
“I know. I hate to admit it, but I just knew it was a matter of time before they came and took something from us. All around us there have been burglaries in all the businesses. I just hoped they would leave the center alone. We don’t make a profit.”
“I know, but they don’t care. They will steal from anyone. The Bible says the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy and we are not completely shielded from it.”
They entered the mini kitchen. It was well equipped with donated stainless steel appliances. Those may not have been on the thieves’ agendas. Raven poured water into two mugs and placed one in the microwave. While it spun around she turned to face her mother.
“What’s that you are holding?” Raven asked, looking at the magazine her mother held. Clare looked at it as an afterthought. She had forgotten her reason for dropping by her daughter. Raven caught the expression on her face.
“Is Amari there?” she asked, stirring the teabag then handing her mother the green tea they both liked. “He is, isn’t he? Is Hollywood already hailing him as the next Denzel?” Raven reached for the tabloid excitedly, then immediately saw the picture of Amari and Lexie. Her smile froze on her face as she saw them, and then she tossed it on the round table in the corner of the kitchen like it had burned her.
“That’s his co-star.” Raven shrugged and then began making another cup of tea as Clare’s eyes bore on her back.
“That’s not what the caption says,” Clare insisted.
Raven turned to face her mother, feeling the tension headache building up but trying to remain nonchalant. “I know. Mom, you should know that tabloids would say anything to sell magazines.”
“I know, but have you spoken to him about it? What does he say?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. He’s shooting a movie. I’ll go and visit soon.”
“I don’t know how you can be so casual about this. Didn’t I just say, ‘The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy?’ And you are just being unconcerned about your
husband and this movie Delilah.”
“I’m not being casual about it, Ma! What do you want me to do?”
“Don’t talk to me like that, Raven. I rushed here to help and you speak to me like that. I won’t stay here and listen to a disrespectful daughter.” Clare smashed the teacup down with a splash and picked up her purse.
Raven watched her leave and felt a pang. She wanted her mother to leave, but not like this. The picture with Amari and Lexie had shaken her, but she didn’t want Clare to know how much it bothered her. After a few minutes Raven picked up the tabloid and walked to the office. She threw it on the cluttered desk, which was now missing a computer. She stared at it from her chair, then leaned over and grabbed it again. Lexie was looking at Amari and he was looking at her. She picked up the phone, not caring that it was early in California. She had to speak to Amari and hear his voice. He would make all those rumors go away.
“Baby,” he answered in a sleepy voice.
“Hey, you,” Raven said, sitting on the chair and turning over the picture of Amari and Lexie. She didn’t want to look at it, but her eyes were drawn to it like it held an invisible magnet.
“How’s it going?” she asked. “Did I wake you?”
“Yeah. What time is it there?” He cleared his throat. She pictured him lying in bed and sitting up, the sheet falling off and showing his chiseled chest.
“Noon. How’s the movie business?”
“Interesting. You should come visit.”
“I’ll take time off this week. I’ll be there on Thursday.”
“You sure, baby?” he asked. She felt reassured just hearing his deep soothing voice. The sleepiness was gone from it now and it exuded confidence and love.
“You don’t want me to come?” she teased.
“You know I’ve been on to you about coming here. I want you in my bed, sweet thing,” he said, and she laughed, forgetting the magazine and all the computers that had been stolen from the center.
* * *
Lexie’s disappointment was deep on Friday morning. When one thing goes wrong then two or three follow, she thought grumpily as she sat in makeup having her already lovely face made even more perfect by the experts. First, her plans to seduce Amari that weekend were foiled by the untimely arrival of Amari’s unattractive wife. When Lexie heard that Raven was arriving she expected to see a model or some type of long-haired, light-skinned woman much like herself, but no. Well, she didn’t really get to look at Raven up close. Raven stayed on the periphery of the set that morning and left before Lexie could meet her. Besides, Lexie didn’t feel like going around introducing herself to a woman whose husband she planned on stealing. Not only that, she didn’t really feel like fawning over Raven. She was Lexie Hart, and Lexie Hart didn’t run after people. They came to her.
“Renata, can you go and check out Amari’s wife? See what she’s like,” Lexie asked as she wrote some notes on her script.
“Why don’t you go and meet her. She’s on the set.”
“I have to finish this. Just go. Please.”
Lexie rarely said please. Renata didn’t want to argue, so she went around looking for Amari and his wife. She found them walking through the set. Amari was giving Raven a tour, holding her hand. Raven wore a wrap dress that hugged her body to perfection. Renata decided to assess the couple before she went to introduce herself. Raven reached Amari’s shoulders and her hair was tied at the nape of her neck. From her profile as she looked around at all the lights she looked nice. A nice, kind person. She had the full, pouty lips. She wouldn’t make it in Hollywood or any movies, really. Most of the women who made it in the movies had a certain color. She would be too dark. They made an attractive couple, and Renata could sense their closeness as they gazed at each other and held each other close. When Raven and Amari turned to face her she was struck by Raven’s eyes. That was where her power was.
“Renata. Come and meet my wife,” Amari said as they walked towards each other and shook hands.
“Renata works for Lexie,” Amari added.
“Nice to meet you,” Raven said. “I’ve never been on a set before, and never knew they would be this huge.”
“A movie is quite a big production. Bigger than life,” Renata said.
“It must be exciting,” Raven said. Amari pulled her close.
“It is,” Renata said. Renata liked Raven already. Her innocence. Genuine pleasure at what she saw.
Before Renata could talk to the couple more, other people had arrived and Amari began to introduce them to Raven. Renata left to give her report to her boss where she hid in her dressing rooms.
“She seems nice,” Renata told Lexie a few minutes later. “Young, friendly, adores Amari.”
“I thought she would be different. She doesn’t seem like his type at all. What on earth does he see in her?”
“Some people see beyond what’s on the outside,” Renata said. “Besides, up close she’s striking. She has powerful eyes and a dazzling smile. There’s something about her that you can’t see from a distance.”
“I doubt it,” Lexie argued.
“There’s something likeable about her. A warmth that is so rare in our business,” Renata continued and saw Lexie fume.
“Well, warmth or not, men need heat, beauty, passion. I’m sure Amari will agree with me,” Lexie said, then picked up her phone. “It’s only a matter of time. The times I’ve spent with Amari so far have been very interesting. I can tell when a man is interested in me, and as you know, Renata, I’ve never met a man that I can’t seduce.”
“Amari might be your first. He loves his wife,” Renata said but regretted it. The challenge only made the gleam in Lexie’s eyes brighter. Renata didn’t even want to bring up her image and what breaking up a happy marriage would do to it. Lexie got what Lexie wanted. Lexie had worked hard to get where she was, both in and out of some famous men’s beds, and if there was one thing Lexie liked to hear, it was the word “No.” She would go to any length to make sure the “no” became a “yes.”
Chapter 19
“I’m so glad you made it back,” Raven said to Amari as they dressed in their bedroom. Raven’s outfit reminded Amari of an African princess or queen. She came to him and straightened his tie.
“I’m proud of you for putting this together,” Amari said.
“I’m glad it’s almost done. Then I can come and spend more time with you in L.A.”
“So how much money do you think you’ll raise?” Amari asked.
“The admission receipts alone will raise about $50,000. And then the auction for the African art, who knows.”
“I tried to get Lexie to come but she couldn’t. However she did say she would send a donation and also got a few of her friends to come.”
“That’s nice of her.”
There was a knock on their door.
“Are you guys ready?”
Raven opened the door and Tahlia came in. She was staying with them for the weekend. She was also dressed in an exquisite African outfit.
“Look at you. That’s amazing,” Raven said.
“And authentic, too. My Nigerian friend had it sent from her royal family.”
“I hope your royal friends will buy some of our African art.”
“Of course they will. They are rich. So is Lexie coming?” Tahlia turned to Amari.
“No. I’m afraid not,” Amari said.
“Too bad. Anyway, we better get going. The limos are outside.”
Raven and her family were the first to arrive at the Detroit Institute of Arts where the event was taking place. Amari met Josh Hardin for the first time as soon as they entered the museum.
“This is our very good friend, Dr. Joshua Hardin,” Clare said. Clare looked amazing in her royal regalia along with a beautiful headpiece that almost touched the ceiling.
Since the picture in the article about Amari, Clare’s attitude towards him had changed. Clare’s new attitude towards Amari strained her relationship with Raven, too. “
It’s good to meet you,” Amari said. Raven hugged Josh.
“It’s great to see you again,” Raven said excitedly, then turned to explain to Amari about her trip to Kenya years before. While in Kenya she’d met Josh and worked in his hospital. Amari liked Joshua Hardin. The older man exuded confidence and warmth. He didn’t look his forty years, but the maturity and steadiness in his manner was hard to miss.
“I’m glad you saw our humble clinic. It’s grown a lot since you were last there, Rave,” Joshua said. “I hope you’ll come again.”
“Joshua runs a mission hospital and church on the outskirts of Nairobi,” Philip explained to Amari. Philip reminded Raven of James Earl Jones in the movie Coming to America in his over-the-top outfit.
“You are living in Africa?” Amari asked, surprised. In the two years they were married, Amari had heard about Josh but never met him. His travels meant he missed meeting many of Raven’s relatives and friends.
Joshua nodded. “It’s my second home, you could say. When God calls you, nothing else in your life will satisfy but the fulfillment of that calling. This is my sixth year running that hospital and God has provided and fulfilled his promises in the lives of many people who need help.”
“What’s it like living over there?”
“It’s great. Once it’s in your blood it’s hard to leave. The needs of the people keep you going back so you can save one more life, give hope to mothers and children,” Joshua explained. “It’s something to see.” Amari listened with interest and Raven could see the wheels turning in his head. She knew that they would be making a trip to Africa very soon.
“We better get inside,” Clare said. “Esther and Angelo will be here. Joshua can continue to inspire us all as we get ready for the big night.”
“I feel like what I do at the center is nothing,” Amari commented as they walked through the beautiful building surrounded by artifacts and art from all over the world. “You have given your whole life to serving people in Africa and I just volunteer and give a little bit of money to some charities.”
Show Me the Sun Page 13