It's in the Rhythm (18 page)

“Have you and Imani made up?” Michelle threw in. “Are you getting married?”

Garrett shook his head in disbelief. Married? Where did that come from? If only they knew. Opening the car door, he was grateful to be in the safety and privacy of the car. As he drove away, he could still hear questions being fired at him.

Pulling into the flow of traffic, he drove to the end of the street, making a right turn at the corner. While he drove, his mind went to Trinity again. She said she wanted to talk about them. The idea brought a smile to his face. He had waited so long to hear her say those words. Now that he had ended it with Imani, there was nothing to keep them apart.

Chapter 14

“Hey, Uncle Gary,” Taj said as Garrett strolled into the living room at his parents. He was sitting on the sofa watching television.

“Hey, little man.” Taj smiled a big smile. He was missing a front tooth. “You doing okay?”

“I'm okay. I lost a tooth,” he said, pointing proudly to the open space where the tooth once was.

Garrett returned the smile. Children were a blessing. He couldn't wait until he had kids of his own. He would like two, maybe three, kids. Again, he thought about Trinity. He'd love for her to be the mother of his children.

“So I see.”

Taj scooted to the end of the sofa, his little legs dangling over the edge. “Daddy said if I put it under my pillow, the tooth fairy will leave me some money.”

“That's true. What are you going to do with the money?” Garrett asked.

He lifted his innocent face to Garrett, his eyes blank as if in thought. “Buy some candy.”

Garrett laughed. “How are you going to eat candy?” Garrett began tickling him under the arms. “You don't have any teeth.”

Taj's giggling and laughing filled the room.

“When is Mommy coming home?” Taj asked when he settled down.

Garrett lifted his small frame, sitting him on his lap. Looking into his face, he was the spitting image of his mother. He realized this was a rough time for his nephew. His heart ached for him.

“You miss her, don't you?”

His little head bobbed up and down. “Daddy misses her, too,” he said. “He was crying.”

Garrett swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I know. Your dad is sad right now. We all miss your mom.” He ran a hand across his head. “But I promise you things are going to work out. And you will see your mommy real soon, okay?”

“Okay,” Taj said in a sad voice.

“Pork chops smothered in onions is my favorite,” Pastor Martindale's deep voice boomed as he entered the room, Ginger bringing up the rear. Pastor Martindale placed his jacket on the back of the chair. He turned and gave his wife a skeptical look. “What's wrong?” Whenever his wife had to give bad news, she'd cook his favorite dish of smothered pork chops, usually with collard greens, candied yams, corn bread, and macaroni and cheese.

“What makes you think something is wrong?” Ginger glanced over at Garrett for help. Pastor Martindale followed her gaze. Garrett looked away. He didn't want anything to do with it.

“Because you cooked smothered pork chops.”

Ginger wrung her hands together. “It's your favorite.”

Pastor Martindale half-chuckled. “Whenever you have to tell me something you think I'm not going to like, you try to soften me up with my favorite food. So out with it,” he repeated.

“Tamara's coming to dinner. I figured I'd cook something special.”

“Mommy is coming!” Taj wiggled down from Garrett's lap, making a dash toward the front door.

“Taj!” Garrett screamed after him. He made it to the door to see Taj, standing on his toes, attempting to turn the doorknob. “Your mother isn't here yet.”

Taj paused for a moment as if Garrett wasn't telling him the truth.

Garrett knelt down, extending open arms to Taj. “She's coming in a little bit. Let's go get washed up.”

“I'll take him,” Ginger volunteered. They headed off into one of the bathrooms.

“So, Tamara is stopping by tonight.” Pastor Martindale sat in the easy chair. “It's about time. Maybe someone can talk some sense into her. It's awful what's she's doing to Brian and that boy. Just awful.”

“They are talking,” Garrett said. “It's a start. The most important thing is Taj.”

“I couldn't agree with you more.”

They both looked up to see Brian coming through the door. He was unkempt. He looked tired. His clothes were wrinkled. The beard on his face indicated he hadn't shaved in days.

“Boy, you look rough,” Pastor Martindale said, eyeing him up and down.

Garrett looked concerned. He'd never seen Brian look like this. He was always well dressed and groomed.

Brian ran a hand over his uncombed head. “I guess I do look like a sight. Is Tamara here?”

“She hasn't arrived yet,” Garrett answered. “Look, Brian, why don't you go up and clean yourself up? You still have some clothes in the closet, or you can put on something of mine.”

Brian frowned.

“You don't want Tamara to see you looking like this.”

Brian reluctantly agreed. “I guess you're right.” He slowly walked back up the stairs.

“This is too much,” Pastor Martindale said, watching his son-in-law move like life had been zapped out of him. “Do we know anything about the man Tamara left him for?”

Garrett tensed up. “No, no we don't.” He had to change the subject, and quickly. “Uh, Dad, I would like to talk to you about the choir.”

Pastor Martindale scowled. “You're not changing your mind about the choir, are you? The Gospel Explosion is in a little over a week, and you promised.”

Garrett waved him off. “No, Dad, it's nothing like that. As a matter of fact, it's just the opposite. I would like the choir to do some concert dates with me on my next tour.”

Pastor Martindale breathed a sigh of relief. “Praise God.”

“If that's all right with you. I like what I hear. They are talented. Marc has done a wonderful job with them.”

Pastor Martindale's smile spread wide across his face. “You know it is. I have prayed about this for a long time. God has answered my prayer. All they need is some exposure and the blessings will come.”

“Amen,” Garrett said. “I will fill you in on the tour dates once they are available. I'm thinking maybe some local dates,” he explained. “I know several of the members have families and obligations. It won't be easy for them to pick up and go on tour.”

“You leave all of that to me. We will work out the dynamics,” Pastor Martindale said.

“I asked Trinity to sing on my next CD,” Garrett added. He was determined to keep his emotions in check, but it was easier said than done. Every time he thought about her, he felt butterflies in his stomach.

“Oh,” Pastor Martindale responded. He crossed one leg over the other. “What is she going to do? Duet? Solo?”

“Solo. She's going to sing ‘Heaven.' ”

“Didn't you write that song?” Pastor Martindale remembered that before Garrett became famous he'd write songs for the choir. Even at a young age, he was gifted enough to read and write music. Before enrolling at Howard University, Garrett had mastered several musical instruments. Pastor Martindale believed God gave talent to his people to touch the world in a special way. Garrett had definitely been touched.

“Yes, I did.”

“You have that gift. It's a gift from God.” He noticed Garrett looked off. “I'm not going to give a sermon. Working with Trinity will be like old times. Do you think that's a good idea?”

Garrett half-chuckled. “I think it's a wonderful idea.”

His father joined the chuckle. “I don't know why I bothered to ask. What about Imani? How does she feel about you working with Trinity?”

“Imani and I are no longer together,” Garrett said.

Pastor Martindale quietly absorbed this news for a moment, and then asked, “What happened?”

“Just didn't work out,” Garrett answered.

“Young people today—” Pastor Martindale began.

“Dad.”

“I said I was not going to give a sermon,” Pastor Martindale continued. “I was just going to say you take relationships too lightly. You go from one person to the next.”

Garrett rubbed a hand across his forehead. A moment later the sound of keys could be heard jingling in the lock, followed by his sister's voice. Thank God. He wasn't in the mood.

“Hello, is anybody home?”

“We're in here, sweetie.” Pastor Martindale jumped to his feet. He was excited to know his daughter was safe and appeared to be in good health. Tamara's beaming face appeared a second later. She rushed over, giving big hugs.

“I really missed you.” She held on tight to Garrett as if he'd disappear.

Garrett stepped back, giving her a once-over. Tamara looked as bad as her husband. She looked several pounds thinner. Her clothes were disheveled. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. It was obvious the separation was taking a toll on both of them. He hoped tonight they would be able to work things out.

“You're losing weight. Are you eating?”

Dropping her eyes from Garrett's, she nervously tugged on her shirttail. “I haven't had much of an appetite.”

“Or sleep.” Pastor Martindale threw in. “You have bags under your eyes.”

Tamara shuffled from one foot to the other. Whenever her father scolded her, he always made her feel like a little kid. “Yes, sir,” she answered in a low voice.

“Brian is here,” Pastor Martindale said. “He looks just as bad as you do.”

Tamara craned her neck. “Where is he?”

“He's upstairs cleaning up.” Garrett added, “He should be down in a moment.”

Tamara pepped up. “Where's my little man?” Before she could finish the sentence, the sound of small footsteps and giggling could be heard coming down the stairs, followed by Ginger.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Taj threw himself into her welcoming arms.

“There's my baby,” Tamara cried as she rocked him side to side with happiness. “I have missed you so much,” she said as she held his tiny face, kissing him on both cheeks. “Looks like you have grown in the past week.”

Taj smiled.

“Somebody lost a tooth,” Tamara said.

“Daddy said the Tooth Fairy took it.”

“That's right,” Tamara agreed.

“I'm glad you came, sweetheart.” Ginger gave her daughter another hug.

“I'm glad I came, too.” Tamara gave a quick look in her father's direction. He appeared to be unaware of the real meaning of the gathering.

“Everything is fine,” Ginger replied, following her gaze. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Of course she is,” Pastor Martindale said. “We haven't seen her in a week. She can fill us in on what is going on and why she left her family.” Pastor Martindale turned and yelled toward the stairs, “Brian, get down here. Your wife is here.”

“Otis, don't start.” Ginger nodded toward Taj. Talking to his mother, he was oblivious to what was going on.

Pastor Martindale gave his wife an annoyed look. “What do you mean, don't start? She has a lot of explaining to do. I'm ready to hear an explanation.”

“So am I,” Brian answered from the top of the stairs. He looked like a different man. The stubble that was on his face was now gone. He'd changed out of his wrinkled clothing and was now sporting one of Garrett's expensive outfits.

Garrett chuckled. “Way to clean up. You look like a different man.”

“Thank you.” Brian walked down the stairs, joining the rest of the family.

Tamara swallowed hard. Her heartbeat skipped a beat. She felt a tingle in the bottom of her stomach. She was still in love with her husband, but she believed she was also in love with Nina. She tried to tell herself it was over with Brian, but, every time she saw him, she was more drawn to him.

“Hi, Brian.” She was determined to keep it together. “It's good to see you again.”

“Is it?” Brian's tone was hard. “Why don't we go someplace and talk?”

“What about dinner?” Ginger asked. She was pleased to see the couple talking, but it had taken her hours to prepare this special dinner.

“Let them talk,” Pastor Martindale said.

“Where would you like to go?” Tamara was still holding on to her son's hand. Taj squeezed her hand tightly. He didn't want her to leave again.

“I want to go, too,” Taj said.

Brian kneeled down until he was eye level to Taj. “Mommy and Daddy are just going to talk some things over. We're not going far.”

“Stay here and keep Grandma and Grandpa company,” Pastor Martindale said. “Why don't we go eat?” he said, reaching out a hand to Taj. “Granddad is hungry. What about you?” Taj put his small hand in his and they headed toward the dining room.

“I'm starving,” Garrett said as he trailed them. Ginger brought up the rear.

Tamara and Brian stood alone in the middle of the room. A moment of silence fell between them.

Brian was the first to speak. “Let's go home,”

* * *

“Have you thought about what we discussed?” Brian finally said when they reached the door of their home. It was the first thing he'd said since they left her parents' house.

“So you can talk?” Tamara replied when Brian unlocked the door. She trailed him inside. The place was just as she'd left it. Nothing had been moved. “You didn't say anything all the way over here.”

“Neither did you.”

“You said you wanted to talk,” Tamara snapped. She walked over and began adjusting the pillows on the couch.

“If you had nothing to say, then why did you agree to come over?” Brian threw back as he moved further into the room.

“Because Mother asked me to,” Tamara replied. It wasn't the truth, but he'd made her so mad.

“Hrump. Not because of your son or our marriage, but because your mother asked you to. Oh, that's great. That's being a great mother.”

She covered the small space between them, leaning in his face. “Don't you dare tell me that I'm not a good mother.”

Brian didn't back down. “You were until you walked out.”

“I have, and always will be, a good mother to our son.”

“We'll see about that.” He placed the keys in the small wicker basket on the end table, and then headed into one of the back bedrooms.

“What are you saying?” Tamara followed him.

Brian entered Taj's bedroom. He pulled the shirt over his head. He wasn't use to wearing expensive clothes and wasn't comfortable in them. It wasn't him. He would always be just a down-to-earth type of guy. Lots of money and fame never interested him.