Mercy, Mercy Me

by Ronn Elmore

  It took several minutes for the audience to leave after the final standing ovation. Nina glanced at Dwayne as they moved into the aisle and was pleased at the wide smile on his face. This was just what he needed, she thought. But as they piled back into the limousine for the ride to the party, she had a feeling this night was going to be important for her too.

  The hotel suite was nothing short of palatial. The select gathering that Beverlyn had told them about seemed to have turned this into the place to be. Nina held on to Dwayne’s hand as they stepped through the throng of bodies that filled the space, finally settling at the edge of the room near the balcony.

  In the sophisticated roar of the industry’s elite, elegantly dressed men and women hovered in small clusters with glasses in their hands. In between, tuxedoed men and women passed through the crowd with trays covered with smoked salmon, soufflé-filled potato skins, and shrimp pastries.

  “Champagne, wine, or sparkling cider for anyone?” A waiter balanced a silver tray of several bottles.

  “I’ll get us some glasses,” Dwayne said. “Wait here.”

  Nina nodded as Dwayne pressed his body through the crowded room. She smiled, amused, as she watched other women zoom in on Dwayne, some stopping in midconversation as he passed.

  Who is he? Nina couldn’t exactly hear their whispers, but she didn’t need to. Their eyes told the story. She turned away, her smile still intact as she now watched Dwayne’s movements through the reflection in the sliding glass door to the balcony. She wasn’t surprised at the women’s reaction. It wasn’t just his stunning good looks and build. It was the way he held his shoulders square, strutting with a confidence that oozed sexiness.

  This wasn’t the first time Nina noticed the stares. Throughout the night, she’d observed the envious glances, but they hardly fazed her.

  “A dollar for your thoughts.”

  Nina jumped at the sound of Dwayne’s voice. “Only a dollar?” she asked, recovering quickly. “I’m worth far more than that, Dr. Grandison.”

  He laughed, handing her a crystal flute. “I bet you are. So how much would it cost to find out what you were so deep in thought about?”

  Nina took a sip of her cider and lowered her eyes, letting her lips linger on the glass for a long moment. Just as she raised her eyes to speak, she saw Beverlyn over Dwayne’s shoulder, and almost simultaneously Dwayne turned.

  His mind went back to their earlier conversation. What had Beverlyn wanted of him? He’d only met her hours earlier. What was this proposition about? Beverlyn was drawing closer, en route stopping to greet the growing number of clamoring guests jammed into the posh hotel suite awash in marble, eighteen-foot-high ceilings, warm, muted earth tones, and sweeping views of Los Angeles.

  In one sense, Beverlyn Boudreaux was exactly what he had expected. Yet there was a magnetic quality he couldn’t now put his finger on, and it had taken him quite by surprise. A flawless light olive complexion surrounded her dark, piercing eyes and was framed by her shoulder-length hair, not a strand of it out of place, layered in a voluminous upsweep that seemed to perfectly frame her oval face. She was prettier than he had expected. Though he’d seen her many times on the TBN Network, her good looks had been lost in her conservative appearance, the power of her words and song, and her forceful beckoning of a better way through salvation to the thousands watching. The characteristic shrilling vocal runs had translated into a string of hit albums, the latest of which, Unconditional Love, was skyrocketing her to the kind of mainstream success that was afforded secular superstars.

  To a small degree, he’d been there (done that), having been catapulted to notoriety by two appearances on Oprah, which he’d believed to some extent had occurred on a lark. (But as his brother, Lafayette, and his mother had reminded him, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord,” and so, they had surmised, it was no lark.) He had traveled to Paradise Island with Sean, who was slated to appear on the show shortly after Yvette’s sudden and untimely death. Dwayne had been recommended to the producers by a publicist who was a former client of his.

  The audience had loved his advice—a combination of his family’s homespun wit, biblical teachings, and a strong dose of unfiltered common sense—and while he was one of five guests on the show, he found himself fielding most of the audience’s questions with what appeared to be Oprah’s unconditional approval.

  “You were great. They loved you,” Sean had said as the taping ended, and taking a deep breath, Dwayne had removed the mike and walked off the set.

  A producer had approached him with Oprah in tow and said, “Great show, Doc.”

  “Write a book and we’ll make it a best-seller,” Oprah had said as she interlocked her arm with Sean’s and pulled him forward, turning back to say, “It was nice meeting you.”

  While it was a whole lot less interaction than they had shared during the show, he knew he’d scored points with her. A book, he pondered.

  One of the show’s producers had alerted a friend at Excelsior Books who was excited to take on the project, and he received a call within the week. Without thinking, Dwayne, who’d operated on autopilot since the death of his wife, said yes, later reasoning that the challenge might take his mind off the enormous grief he’d been suffering.

  For the next few months, he’d poured his energy into his practice and the book. And just as Oprah had hinted, a producer called as it was completed and he was booked on the show.

  Sean had been told that the show had been deluged with letters inquiring about Dr. Dwayne Grandison, everything from marriage proposals for the handsome, young, and recently widowed doctor to desperate letters seeking his guidance on a variety of issues. He had been oblivious to the attention, awash in the sorrow and guilt of Yvette’s passing, for despite their differences, he couldn’t see life without her, and still somewhat naively believed that what he and Yvette had enjoyed together as teens could have ultimately been recaptured.

  Tagged “Dr. Dwayne” by Oprah, he took the stage at Harpo’s Chicago-based set, and for a full hour, he engaged the audience with his sage life counsel, at one point rolling up his sleeves and loosening his collar to dispel any notions that he was there to do anything but help, a move that made him all the more attractive to viewers.

  Sales of his newly penned book briefly went through the roof, and his high-profile private practice became all the more elite, with his celebrity clients now thinking he could relate all the more to them. But he was quite frankly relieved when he didn’t receive another call from Oprah’s producers.

  It was like he’d told Yvette, he wasn’t cut out for all that, yet while he’d yearned to follow his father’s footsteps into the ministry—just like his brother—he wasn’t so sure pastoring was what God had in store for him either, and the whole notion of what he should be doing perplexed him.

  Beverlyn, on the other hand, was comfortable with growing mainstream appeal. She seemed born for it.

  “I’m glad you could make it,” she said, approaching with Sean.

  “Congratulations on your performance. We wouldn’t have missed it,” Dwayne said politely, with Nina echoing the sentiments. “You were great.”

  Disregarding Nina’s acknowledgment, Beverlyn moved in closer to Dwayne and only then turned to Nina. “Mind if I steal him away for a moment? There is something important I’d like to run by him.”

  Taken aback, Nina could barely respond before Sean came to her rescue.

  “We’ll be just fine,” he said as Beverlyn drew Dwayne across the room and the two disappeared from view.

  Sean Wiley shook his head in response to Nina’s bewilderment. “Don’t let Beverlyn get to you. That’s just her way. She’s a great person, just a bit over the top.”

  “Oh, so that’s what it’s called?” Nina took a sip of her cider. “I have to admit, she’s not what I expected.”

  “People say that, but Beverlyn is just one of those women who have to be at the center all the time. That’s really
why she’s so successful. But I don’t want to talk about her. It’s hot in here. Let’s go out on the balcony, where you can tell me what’s happening between you and Dwayne.”

  Nina smiled coyly, somewhat embarrassed to say that there was little to tell.

  “Yeah, right.” Sean coiled back, examining Nina a bit closer.

  She was beautiful and one couldn’t help but notice that together she and Dwayne made a stunning couple. Something had to be happening between them, though after having heard unofficial accounts of Nina’s checkered past from those who’d read supermarket tabloids, he was somewhat surprised that Dwayne and she had much in common.

  Yet there was something about her. Nothing like the girl who’d grown up right before his eyes on TV, whom he’d felt sorry for ten years earlier when they’d canceled her once top-rated TV series after reports that her on-again, off-again battle with drugs was on again. No, this beautiful woman wasn’t the same girl at all. He found her easy to like and suddenly knew why Dwayne was with her.

  They went through large French doors onto a wide platform where white cast-iron chairs with thick black cushions circled matching tables. Though a light wind swirled gently onto the terrace, Nina felt relief from the stuffiness of the suite.

  “Well, you really had the crowd rocking tonight!”

  “Thanks.” He directed Nina to a chair at the far end of the terrace. “I get so much more out of singing now than when I was doing secular music. There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve had an impact and that you may have played some role in people’s lives being changed for the better.”

  “I know. That’s the charge I get every day.”

  “Oh, yeah? Do you sing?”

  Nina laughed and shook her head. “Not hardly, but I do work at New Covenant with Dwayne’s brother. About a year ago, we set up a women’s mentoring and empowerment ministry and recently we added a program for men. Dwayne will be working with me in developing it.”

  “Oh.” Sean sang the word out. “Well, Dwayne has been keeping secrets,” he said before taking a sip of champagne. With a smirk, he added, “In more ways than one.”

  “He’s not. This just happened last week. It’s been like a whirlwind romance.” She blushed at the slip. “I mean… you know what I mean.”

  “No, I can’t say that I do. Why don’t you explain it to me?” he teased.

  “It’s all business.” Her words were deliberate, even if not convincing. “The idea for Dwayne to work with us came about so quickly, that’s why I made the analogy… to a romance.”

  Sean took a long sip of his champagne. “And romance was the first thing that came to your mind?”

  “You’re teasing me.” Nina frowned, then laughed at the smile on Sean’s face.

  Sean joined in her laughter. “I am. But my man Dwayne is going to be quite busy.”

  Nina tried to hold back the question, but once again, words escaped her lips before she could stop them. “What does Beverlyn want?” she asked, feigning a casual tone.

  Sean leaned against the balcony rail. “She’s starting a television network …”

  “I heard about it,” Nina interjected.

  “She’s been after me to introduce the two of them, so I’m sure she wants Dwanye involved in some capacity… maybe for one of the programs. That would be something,” he mused. “My friend, a star.”

  While Sean chuckled at the thought, Nina felt the whip of the wind, stronger now than it had been moments before. She shivered.

  “Do you want to go back inside?”

  “Yes. Dwayne might be finished and I want him to know where I am.”

  “I understand,” Sean said as he took her hand, helping her up from the chair. Still holding her hand, he guided her back into the penthouse suite, where Beverlyn had earlier been swept up into the crowd.

  Nina couldn’t get over how down-to-earth Sean had been. She had actually seen him once or twice at the church but had never gotten close enough to say hello.

  Dwayne felt for a moment as if he were being swallowed up. Beverlyn’s aura had completely filled the room. He sat quietly as she went on about the twenty-four-hour gospel television network that Beverlyn Boudreaux Ministries was about to launch in Los Angeles. He had to admit it was ambitious but had little doubt that Beverlyn, who was set to relocate to the City of Angels within the next month, could pull it off. What role would he play in her Jubilee Network? Finally, she stopped talking, handed him what appeared to be a proposal, and said, “Here’s where you fit in.”

  He scanned the document, which was attached to a packet of written materials detailing every aspect of the Jubilee Network, and shook his head in disbelief. “You want me to host a television show?”

  “I saw the show you did with Oprah. You’re a natural.”

  He looked back down at the paper.

  She continued, “You’re successful. You established quite a following with your book. You’re well known in the Christian community. You’d be great, and the best part is that I know that you have a heart for ministry and this is an opportunity for you to help so many.” She paused for a moment. “And, Dr. Grandison”—she drove the point home before he could object—“the Jubilee Network will be the first Christian network owned by African Americans. Speaking of which, you’ll see there,” she said, pointing to the package, “we’re prepared to pay you a quarter of a million dollars for the first ten shows. That’s twenty-five thousand dollars per episode, not including monthly bonuses based on ratings.”

  He said nothing, though inside he couldn’t believe his ears.

  “Ms. Boudreaux—”

  “Beverlyn,” she interrupted.

  “I’m just a therapist, and I’m pretty good at what I do. I like to help people with their problems. It’s what I do. The Oprah thing was a lark. I’m sure there are any number of more qualified—”

  She cut him off. “I won’t take no for an answer. I know you’d be perfect. Say yes,” she said, moving in closer to him.

  Was she flirting? He dismissed the thought almost as quickly as it had popped up. Was she even his type? Surveying the long and fitted designer red dress that displayed a tasteful bit of cleavage, she had—at least this night—shed her more conservative image. In that instant, all that was healthy and natural in him, the homebody who held close to family and God, cherished his wife, and yearned for family, was now buying into the fast-track, high-profile Beverly Hills psychologist image he’d long resisted. He wondered if he hadn’t subconsciously fostered it with his natural good looks, well-toned physique, GQ flair, always-in-control demeanor, and cool intellect, which had translated as “tight” to those who had not really known him. While he shrugged off the label readily cast upon him by his younger, hipper clientele, it was quietly appreciated.

  Why not do it? he thought, fearful attraction overtaking him, shaking the inner intellectual protests and tempting him forward toward a door Yvette would have been thrilled to walk through. It was in deference to her that the consideration became all the more real. But while he liked to say that this kind of success had been Yvette’s dream only, he was flattered. Perhaps this was God’s plan for him. After all, what Beverlyn was suggesting was ministry. It seemed the best of both worlds.

  “So what do you think?”

  “I don’t know,” he mused. “Nina started a program at my brother’s church that I’m going to be helping her with.”

  “That’s sweet, but think about what I’m offering, Dr. Grandison. I’m sure that if you had to choose between this proposal and Nina …” She left her sentence unfinished.

  “Oh, there will be no choice.” He paused briefly. “If I were to do this with you, I’d have to find time to make everything work. I’m already committed to Nina.”

  The ends of her smile turned down and a knock on the door interrupted his thought. As L.W. entered, both he and Beverlyn stood.

  “Let me get back to you,” he said, a smile hinting she might just get what she wanted.


  “L.W., I think we’ve got our man,” she said as Dwayne turned to leave.

  “We’ll see.” He extended his hand to L.W. “Nice meeting you. I promise I’ll give this serious consideration.”

  Taking a deep breath, Dwayne made his way back to Nina. Though flattered, he didn’t like the feeling of being worked. It was part of what had driven a wedge of tension between him and Yvette. When he spotted Nina and Sean across the room, a wave of calm swept over him. He wanted to get out of there. He had some thinking to do. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, taking Nina’s hand.

  As they made their way to the car, Nina couldn’t help but notice the folder tucked under his arm and wondered what was in it.

  “So how did it go with Beverlyn?”

  “Interesting.” He offered no more, and as it wasn’t her business, she let the matter rest, at least for the moment.

  “Did you have a good time?” he inquired, hoping she’d enjoyed being with him as much as he had with her.

  “Yeah, everything was wonderful, the show, the party, and Sean is great.”

  But Nina was not in the mood to be engaging. Why hadn’t he told her what he and Beverlyn had discussed? Then again, it was none of her business. What was she thinking?

  As cameras flickered in the throng of partygoers awaiting their cars, Nina thought about her old friend Todd Bridges. The tabloids still haunted him. But since she had given her life over to God, they could surely find no interest in her. At least so she hoped. Still, she knew that they could make life difficult, and because reruns of her old series still aired, she was hardly immune. Humph, she smirked to herself. All for filler material. While she no longer held the title stories or big news, any secrets revealed in her life could still be, if nothing else, filler and the tabloids wouldn’t think twice about printing news of her medical crisis. And while she could have survived the intrusion, she was most concerned for Omari. For that alone, she hated this scene.