“Well, all right. That’s what I’m talking about” The pastor was pleased with his opportunity for an encore. “I’ve only met this young man today, but when he told me his story, and the story of Venus Johnston I knew … I knew immediately this young man wasn’t messing around. He was on a mission to love this woman and her child, to be a husband, to be a father, to reap the rewards as well as the sorrows … yes. So we stand here before yon today, to witness the love and dedication before God. Can I get a witness?
“I said, can I get a witness!” The crowd responded in full union. Venus smiled when she heard her mother’s voice behind her, “Yes, Lord … on a mission,” and the many voices that followed.
“But like in every good story, there’s two sides,” the pastor continued. “Now I’ve heard this young man’s side. He is ready if I’ve ever seen ready. Now I want to hear the story of Venus. You see, it’s a pastor’s duty to make sure there are no reservations in the heart and mind. It’s my duty to present a strong union before God, a union that won’t easily be strayed or fettered by temptation … by trials and tribulations … by life’s ups and life’s downs.” The pastor stopped abruptly. All eyes were on Venus. Speechless at first, she didn’t know what to say. She was quickly searching her mind for something as poetic and beautiful as what Jake had said. Something about his way … his gentle way. No, maybe about the way her mind and heart fluttered with anticipation when her phone rang. She could mention the fact that she loved him. What more was necessary? Wait, no. She could tell about the time she felt like a complete and total failure for still not having Mya trained to sleep more than two hours at a time … waking up hungry and cranky. How he’d flown from Los Angeles and landed on her doorstep armed with lullabies and determination. He held Mya for four solid hours, just so she would stay asleep and Venus could get some rest. No, no, that was small compared with him offering to move JPWear and the building itself to the East Coast, just so he could be by her side.
She felt the impatience of the crowd, and then something wonderful happened. A quiet calm came over her and she knew exactly what to say into those soft loving brown eyes. “My heart was yours from the moment I met you. You gave me space, you gave me time to listen to my heart. For that I am grateful, because without that time, I wouldn’t know for sure that what I feel for you is real. Not a figment of my imagination. Not a fairy-tale fantasy, but real. The kind of love that comes when you feel a sheer joy just to be in that person’s presence.” She nodded in her parents’ direction but her eyes fell quickly back on Jake. “The kind of love that makes you want to wake up every day to see the sunrise ’cause you know there’s just going to be more of you.” She bit her lip, hoping she could stop the line of tears that were about to fall. “You … you make me happy. That’s all.” She’d said it as plainly and truthfully as it could possibly be said. She knew all about fulfillment of id, defining her own purpose and loving herself, and all the other practices of the self-help gurus. But all it took was one man. One strong loving man who wasn’t afraid to carry the weight of one strong loving woman.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” A smile of satisfaction lit the pastor’s face. He lifted his arms. “Rise with me. Say a prayer for this couple.” Everyone’s head bowed. Venus closed her eyes too but she couldn’t shut the little voice going off in her mind. So this is what her mother meant by taking the long way. All the thinking and worrying in the middle, falling victim to the trap of stress. Trying to figure out a future that’s designed to work out right no matter what She listened to the pastor’s words, but she had her own private prayer. Her own need to be thankful for every high and every low. Without them she wouldn’t be who she was. She wouldn’t know real joy and understand it and respect it. She wouldn’t have Jake. She felt his smooth palms touch her face. The ceremony was proceeding without her.
She spoke the words “I DO,” right on cue.
“You know what to do now, young man.”
The kiss. You may kiss the bride. Those five magic words. So many times she’d heard them as a witness to someone else’s grand day. Stood idly by watching with hope and reverence. Not this time. She grabbed her loving new husband around his neck, pulling him close and plunging into the deepest, most gratifying kiss that either one had ever experienced. If not for the sudden sound of hand clapping and cheering from the crowd, Venus was sure it could have gone on forever.
She blushed from embarrassment and pushed her face into his chest.
“It’s all right, baby. We’ve got a lifetime,” he whispered. The crowd still hadn’t calmed down, and neither had Venus. Her heartbeat was brisk, her face flushed. The warmth encapsulated her entire body. Is this what every bride is thinking on her wedding day … let’s get on with the honeymoon? There was nothing she wanted more than to sink into his loving touch, skin to skin, heart to heart. She forced herself to ignore the quivering ache and fell into a band of well wishers. Pauletta was the first, her smile wide, her eyes glistening with tears.
“Oh, Mom.” The sight of her mother, now the picture of health, and remembering what Timothy had said, sent Venus into a fit of hiccuping sobs. You know Mom will refuse to leave this earth before both of us are neatly tied in matrimonial knots. She hugged her tighter, not ready yet to let go.
“Now you ladies are going to have to break it up so somebody else can get a hug.” Henry squeezed between them, having gained back all of his weight plus a few extra pounds. He grabbed them both. “You done good, Precious.”
Venus kissed her father on the cheek before realizing he was missing something. “Where’s Mya, Dad?”
“She ran off with some good lookin’ fella,” he chided. Henry lifted a finger and pointed to the new groom. Mya was hoisted on his hip, hanging on while he swung from one handshake and hug to the next They were a match, for sure, in their element as the center of attention.
Venus reached up on her tiptoes and gave her father another good long hug. “Thanks for making me understand the difference between love and true love, Daddy.”
“I think you already knew the difference.” He gave her a knowing smile. The part he didn’t say was that she’d known all along but was afraid to face the truth. Being with someone for the sake of not being alone, settling out of fear. Guilty as charged. It would have made her miserable in the long run. Venus now considered herself one of the lucky ones. She escaped over the narrow fence of obligation and predictability and made it to the other side of sheer love and a whole buncha like. There was no place she’d rather be than in the arms of the man she loved. She knew it from the first time she laid eyes on him, but she’d told herself that it was all make-believe. A figment of her warped imagination. Fairy tales don’t happen to you, Venus.
Says who?
“I guess we’ll be sharing the first dance,” Wendy said, as she came up from behind. Venus turned around and immediately hugged her friend.
“Oh, God. Did you know?”
“Girl, it was truly a shock. That man over there was just too serious. He was determined, okaaaay.”
“But I’m sorry we stole some of your thunder. This was your big day … well, your second big day.”
Wendy handed Venus her opulent bridal bouquet “It was the best day of my life. And I got to share it with my best friend, and I do mean share. Do you know how long I’ve wanted this for you, just to see you happy, truly happy? Not but a minute ago you were telling me that you didn’t need a ceremony to make your life complete, but sister friend, you are glowing. Do you hear me? Glowing.”
“It’s just the cherry on top,” Venus said.
“And here comes that chocolate sundae now.”
He came and hugged Wendy and reached around and shook Sidney’s hand. “Thanks, Wendy, thanks for letting us intrude.”
“Long as you don’t expect to share the honeymoon suite we’ve got over at the Watergate,” Sidney said with a devilish grin. “Wendy makes too much noise to be sharing rooms.”
“You guys are
nasty.” Venus feigned embarrassment.
“Not necessary. I got big plans for this lady right here. Your mom and dad are going to keep Mya. We’re headed to the warm blue seas of the Caribbean.” He kissed Venus on the top of her head. “You know what would be cool is if you guys came with us. This place is huge—six bedrooms. You guys take one side, we take the other, hook up when we wanted, stay invisible when we didn’t. For letting us take over your day like this, I’d even spring for the airline tickets.”
Wendy’s eyes got big, then came back down to earth. “Work. Us working folk have to pay the bills, but I’m going to hold you to that offer for sometime down the road.”
They said their good-byes. Venus was all cried out Her nose was stuffy, but it didn’t stop her from inhaling Mya. All the goodness and warmth in her baby’s coal black curly hair and warm soft cheeks. “Take care of Grandma and Grandpa, okay?” She acted as if she understood, wrapping her chubby arms tighter around Henry’s neck. Venus would see her again in seven days. Don’t panic, she told herself, but it was hard. They hadn’t missed one day together in her nine months on this earth. Venus had even done the unthinkable, quit her job and started taking independent projects just to make her own hours with her daughter.
She settled into the passenger side of the car, spent and exhausted. She turned her head sideways and watched the man who’d just whisked her away. “You want to know something?”
“What,” he said, picking up her hand and putting it to his full moist lips.
“I love steak. There’s a lot you can do with steak.”
A perplexed frown fell on his face. “You hungry?”
“Oh, if you only knew. Famished.” She smiled, wide and open. “Good tender juicy steak. Steak with mushrooms, grilled, sautéed. Steak with gravy. Steak into burgers.” She continued singing the praises of beef while he drove, looking back and forth at her, clueless.
“There’s porterhouse steaks, rib eye, New York cut fajita style … um-mmmm and have you ever tried it in mango salsa …”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
BECOMING a published author has been my dream for quite some time, and three books later, I still feel the same excitement and joy. I will always be grateful to Ayesha Pande for giving this opportunity to fulfill my dream and for the simple words of advice that continue to empower me—always stay true to your characters.
A giant acknowledgment and appreciation hug to my literary agent, Marie D. Brown, who knows how to make hot soup out of all the hot water I find myself in.
Thanking everyone who has touched my life and shown support would probably take as long as it took me to write this book. But like a true Gemini, I gotta try the impossible, so here it goes: Diane Burns, Rita Beasely, D. Lynn White, Dana London, Lillian Lewis, Tonya Johnson, Kim Roby, Victoria Christopher Murray, Karen Logan, Vernon Logan Jr., Vernon Logan Sr., Anne Thomas, Dwayne and Lanita Logan, Ingrid Lincicome, Janice and Cornell Harris, Bill and Lynn Crandall, Carol Mackey, Patrik Bass, Jewel Parker Rhodes, Patricia Elam, Debrena Gandy, Nana Collins, Lucille Logan, Tameka Mullins, Monique Greenwood, Ruby Deloach, Vivica A. Fox, Tananarive Due, Cynthia Hollis, Nicole Holomon, Gail Stewart, Rachel Mackey, Sharon Sobers … hold on, there’s more … John Marshall, Jacquese Silvas, Erma Branch, Evelyne Branch, Celeste Branch, and all the Branches on the family tree, Evelyn Hosch, Tonya and Marlon (aka Wendy and Sidney), don’t forget to invite me to the wedding. Yes, I can see the future. Seraphine Kinlow, hairstylist extraordinaire, thanks for making me shine, nappy or straight. Diane Guilford of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter AKA, you have given me motivation and inspiration to be the best person I can be.
To the dreammakers—Amy Schiffman, Angela Dejoseph, Halle Berry, Vincent Cirrincione, you’ve given me a gift of a lifetime that I will always cherish. Tina Chism, glad we agree that there’s a little bit of Venus in every woman regardless of race, class, or culture. To my kids who never let me forget my day job. Tiffany and Quinlan, thank you for keeping me grounded and happy! Thank you to all the readers who have made this magic happen for me. For all of the Aha! moments, letting me know through e-mails, letters, and hugs that all the hard work has not been in vain, but really touches each and every one of your lives. As well to the many booksellers and event planners: Pamela Walker Williams, Jan Emanuel, Lauretta Pierce and Mary Jones of the African American Book Club Summit, Mari Mitchell and Tena Ivory of the Seattle African American Book Festival, Yasmin Coleman, Martina (TeeC Royal), Curtis Bunn, Cydney Rax, Robin Green-Cary; and Rosalind Bell, to whom I am especially grateful. Much gratitude goes out to Rachel Kahan and the Crown family for nurturing all three of my novels.
Most important, to my husband, Cameron Thomas, for giving me the freedom and inspiration to write. Without you, there would be no me. Last, but certainly not least, a gracious bow to my courageous mother, Rena Logan, for challenging every test result, mammogram, and doctor’s opinion with determination and faith. There is no greater power than being informed … to all the mothers, sisters, and daughters—we owe it to each other to be healthy and strong, physically as well as spiritually.
Peace and God bless,
Trisha R. Thomas
Reader’s Group Guide
Venus Johnston is a walking, talking success machine. She’s got the perfect job, the perfect fiancé, and she’s on the road to a perfect life, complete with a checklist of perfectly checked-off goals. Sort of. The truth is that a secret, nagging doubt is preventing Venus from setting a wedding date, and when she finds herself hiding the diamond on her left hand from a handsome new partner at work, she realizes that it’s time to reevaluate her journey before she makes a mess of everything.
Then terrible news throws a wrench in the works. Venus discovers that her mother is battling cancer and suddenly she feels like an angry, scared kid, alone and in need of back-up. And when back-up arrives in an unexpected guise, driving a fast car, Venus faces the challenge of a lifetime. Where does a sister draw the line between love and loyalty, temptation and blessing, happiness and habit, and when is it time for a fresh start in life?
The sassy heroine of Trisha R. Thomas’s award-winning novel Nappily Ever After is back in this stylish, romantic, and long-awaited sequel. Here is a guide designed to direct your discussion of Would I Lie to You?
Questions for Discussion
1. The novel opens with Venus’s recurring nightmare: she is abandoned on her wedding day when Clint is lured away by a glamorous actress who tells him, “You know you need a real woman, someone who’s going to love you and take care of you and put you first at all times.” Is Venus afraid that she is truly incapable of putting someone first, or merely afraid that Clint thinks so? Why do you think this dream features Clint rather than Airic as the groom?
2. Venus does not hesitate to take the job in Los Angeles, and, in fact, is packed and ready to roll when she springs the news on Airic. However, she is irritated that Airic does not put up a fight. He is “a little too excited for her taste.… Part of her wanted him to throw drama, plead for her to stay, maybe even pout a little. What would it hurt to show that he cared, needed her? He didn’t always have to be so understanding, so mature.” What does this double standard tell you about Venus? Would she have canceled her plans if Airic had begged her to?
3. How much of Jake’s allure is due to the fact that he is a refreshing, baggage-free distraction from Venus’s family crisis? How does Thomas set up tension with her descriptions of Jake? Are you surprised to find him a trustworthy, loveable character by the end?
4. Venus is deeply conflicted about her career: “What was she doing here in Los Angeles? She’d asked herself that question numerous times. Her answer always straight from the pages of Essence, O, and New Woman … unleashing her career potential, setting goals, and overcoming fears. She was, after all, the Millennium woman … Underneath it all, she simply wanted to be loved.… A husband, a baby, a home with a cuddly little dog.” Is Thomas suggesting that some women are pressured by the media to strive for care
er success against their own gut instincts? To what extent do you think magazines like Essence and O affect women’s ideas, both positively and negatively, about what they should be doing with their lives?
5. How do you explain Venus’s fury at her mother’s doctor? Are her feelings directed at the illness itself? The medical field for being inadequate to the task? Her mother for being mortal, or possibly passing a flawed gene on to her? Is any of this emotion aimed at Clint?
6. Alienated from her parents and confused about her men, Venus ends up relying on the kindness of strangers. Who helps her in unexpected ways? What point do you think Thomas is making with these encounters?
7. What is the significance of Venus’s memory about her college boyfriend, Tony, and the tumultuous end of their relationship? What fears about herself does this memory dredge up?
8. When Jake turns on the charm during their first meeting, Venus acknowledges, “the fun was always in the chase.” When she feels overwhelmed by his ardor, she admits, “She was used to doing the chasing, being the one who wanted more than she would ever receive.” And when she is late to visit her mother at the hospital, she berates herself: “Always a step behind … a true sign that she was never going to catch whatever she was chasing.” Discuss Venus’s obsession with “the chase.” Is she able to let go of this cat-and-mouse mentality in the end?
9. Venus tells Jake, “I learned a long time ago not to blame others for my unhappiness, or happiness for that matter. Either way it’s my responsibility.” Has she internalized this lesson? Where do you see examples of her having achieved this clarity?
10. Henry and Wendy offer Venus clashing advice about her relationship. Henry insists that liking someone (Jake, for instance) takes precedence over loyalty or even love. He tells her that “life is full of risk and danger but living is much more fun,” and urges her to “start taking some chances or you gonna end up unhappy and alone.” Wendy urges her to stay loyal to Airic. “You’d give up a man you’ve known and loved for someone who just happened to be there to pick up the pieces when you were vulnerable? … [Airic] was there for you … Now you have to stick by him.” Both Henry and Wendy claim to be happily married. Whose advice do you agree with?
Would I Lie to You? Page 31