Divine Intervention Page 5

  Finally, as the clock on the wall neared 1 a.m., Sarah asked the last question. “If there was one collective prayer you’d have us say tonight, a prayer for you and Rafael … what would it be?”

  The atmosphere shifted as the room got quiet. Suddenly, the mood was all serious and reflective. “I’d have y’all pray that God will bless my marriage,” she answered, eyeing each woman. “And that His will be done.”

  8

  Here Comes the Bride … Again

  An expectant energy pulsed through the seven hundred and fifty well-wishers that packed the Mount Zion Progressive Baptist Church for the 3 p.m. nuptials. After personally inviting almost five hundred guests, a lottery had been held for the remaining seats and every single one was taken. The marriage of the church’s first daughter was in and of itself enough to garner such attention but the promise of both Christian and secular celebrities in the mix no doubt added to the hype.

  For a moment, King stood at the back of the church and took it all in. It was a vantage point that he rarely experienced, and one that he found interesting indeed. Had Tai been the one standing there, she would have noticed how the fuchsia and lilac color scheme had been meticulously carried out throughout the room, would have appreciated the lilac silk liner that covered the aisle and the intricately woven archways of various fuchsia plants paired with fragrant white stock through which the wedding party would make their entrance. She would have considered the perfection in having the white stone walls covered with sheer, billowy fabrics of purple, fuchsia, and iridescent silver. And she would have teared up at seeing how the entire pulpit area had been turned into a fairyland of iridescent fabrics and Swarovski crystals that kissed the strategically placed chandeliers casting rainbows on the ceiling.

  That’s what Tai would have noticed. But King’s focus was on the crowd. He watched the women with wry amusement as Darius Crenshaw made his way into the sanctuary from a private side entrance and joined the Musical Messengers already sitting on stage. Once a gospel standout who was now a secular star, Darius and Company—also called D & C—had put out hit after hit since their first one, “Possible,” soared to number one several years ago. That was also about the time that Darius Crenshaw came out and announced that he was gay. For a time the backlash shook Darius’s faith in the church, but it didn’t shake his pastor’s faith in him. In a move rarely seen in Christian churches, Derrick Montgomery accepted the news of Darius’s homosexuality and allowed him to continue on as Kingdom Citizens Christian Center’s minister of music. The talented singer and musician’s popularity had waned in religious circles, but his crossover success kept him in high demand. And it’s obviously kept him attractive to the ladies, King mused, as he witnessed the side profiles of women who were obviously celebrity smitten. A similar reaction happened moments later when Cy Taylor came out of that same private door. No matter that his gorgeous wife, Hope, was beside him. Some of the women still ogled him like he was a barbequed rib. Then King caught himself eyeing Hope like she was a thick, sauce-slathered fry and figured he’d better judge not. Hope used to be a member of Mount Zion Progressive, and had been one of the many who’d drawn Tai’s suspicions. Nothing had ever happened between King and Hope. But that didn’t mean that the pastor hadn’t lusted in his heart a time or two. King continued to look around, noting that Lavon had taken a seat next to Carla, turning this part of the taping over to the capable hands of Mount Zion’s media ministry. They were sitting next to another gospel heartthrob, Nathaniel Thicke. He couldn’t see her face, but King was sure that Nate’s tenderoni wife, Destiny, looked as stunning as ever. He made a mental note to give his ministerial brother a call, tell him about a church in Las Vegas that would soon be looking for a pastor. Next to Nate and Destiny sat Derrick and Vivian Montgomery. King’s heart warmed at the sight of his best friend in the world.

  His eyes continued sweeping up the aisle, stopping on the second row where his extended family sat. Building the ministry had called for sacrifice, and he wasn’t as close to his siblings as he’d like to be. Geography had also separated them. Queen, the sister eighteen months younger than him, had married a military man. She and her family of three had lived in four different countries and several states. Currently, they called Hawaii home and King had promised a visit before the year was out. After more failed relationships than a Baptist church had fans with pictures of Jesus, King’s baby sister, Ester, had fled to Alaska where there was little sun but lots of money. King was still trying to figure out who the redheaded, red-bearded lumberjack-looking joker was sitting by her side, looking as out of place in his black big and tall suit as a Ku Klux Klansman at the MLK Memorial, but with an arm tightly squeezing his sister’s satin-clad shoulder. King was closest to Daniel, his baby brother. Perpetual bachelor Dan lived in Las Vegas and attended the church King intended to discuss with Nathaniel. I need to hook those two up, make sure Dan is in Nate’s inner circle. Without even realizing it and on his daughter’s wedding day no less, the workaholic King had automatically reverted back into business mode.

  King felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to find Erin talking into her earpiece. “Yes, get the bridesmaids ready to line up. And have Jennifer get the groomsmen. Things will get underway very shortly. Sorry about that, Pastor Brook,” she said, punching a button on her phone. “We’d like to clear this space and line everyone up in order. So if you could please join your wife and daughter in your office, I’ll come get you in a few minutes, just before the procession begins.”

  “Thanks, Erin. Will do.” King entered his office and was taken aback at the sight. He’d never seen Princess look more beautiful than she did in this instance. She turned large, doe-brown eyes on him and his eyes misted over. He looked at Tai, noticing how the fuchsia-colored gown she’d had designed especially for the occasion highlighted the red tones in her skin as well as her naturally reddish brown hair’s highlights. The long, wide-belted jacket flared at the hips and effectively camouflaged the extra chips that had settled on her hips as well as gave the illusion of a smaller waist. Her hair was done in big curls that teased her shoulders and framed her face. The makeup artist’s work was perfect: not too much, not too little. King and Tai’s eyes met and held. It was their baby’s wedding day. And after twenty-five years together as husband and wife, so many words were translated in that look that none needed to be spoken aloud.

  “You look good, baby,” he said to Tai, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “And you,” he said turning to his daughter. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. I love you, baby girl.” He hugged her.

  “Stop it, Daddy. You’re going to make me cry!”

  A light tap on the door interrupted the moment. “It’s about that time,” Erin gaily announced as she walked briskly into the room. “If you will please come with me, everyone is in place and we’re ready to begin.”

  As the guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the Musical Messengers played jazzy versions of a variety of well-known love songs. Now, as Erin gave the signal for the processional to begin, they seamlessly slid into a more classical sounding wedding march, with the synthesizer evoking the sounds of harps and violins. After candles were lit, both sets of grandparents entered, followed by the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. Next came the seven bridesmaids and groomsmen followed by the maid of honor and best man. Finally, it was time for Princess to enter along with her parents, both of whom were walking her down the aisle.

  Princess had a vague sense of the crowd, who turned toward her with smiles and whispered compliments, comments, and reactions. But as soon as she looked up and saw Rafael staring at her, it was as though she entered a tunnel, was moving through murky water where there was no sound. She admired how handsome he looked. The single-breasted, deep silver tuxedo he wore was tailored to perfection, emphasizing his well-proportioned, five-foot-ten frame and creamy brown skin. His close-cropped hair was a barber’s masterpiece, accenting deep-set brown eyes and a determined square jaw. His slightly full
lips were unsmiling, but his eyes drank her in as though she were ambrosia. As she got closer, she noticed those eyes were extra bright. Oh, my goodness. Is he getting ready to—. Before she could finish the thought, one lone tear slowly slid down the side of his face.

  Princess’s mouth went dry. Her heart beat so rapidly that she thought she might faint, and was sure that everyone around her could hear its sound. She swallowed and tightened the grasp she had on her parents’ arms. Her hands became clammy, her legs began to tremble, and for a moment she had serious doubts whether she could stand for thirty more seconds on those high Louboutin heels, let alone the thirty or so minutes that the ceremony would last. Just when she thought she really just might pass out, she felt the calming pressure of her mother’s hand. Tai, who was walking on Princess’s left side, had taken her left hand and gently, yet firmly, placed it on Princess’s arm, giving it a pat and then a squeeze. A mother’s strength flowed through her fingers and the moment of panic passed. Her heart was still beating wildly but by the time they reached the front of the church, Princess had regained a modicum of control.

  As Tai hugged Princess and went to her seat, King took his place behind a Plexiglas podium.

  And the ceremony began.

  First, a very popular, A—list actress stood to recite a poem she’d written. Kiki Minor had become a star through the hit TV One show, Love Rectangle. Hollywood came calling shortly thereafter and fortune smiled when Jerry Seinfeld tapped her to play his long-lost daughter (who just happened to be African-American) in last year’s breakout comedy, The Birthday Switch. A year older than Princess, Kiki had been impressed while watching Princess’s interview on Conversations with Carla and following a Twitter introduction, text messages, phone calls, and a couple of meetings, a friendship was born. She’d personally asked to be a part of Princess’s special day, and had created a poem just for the occasion, inspired by the biblical love chapter: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, and more specifically, verses four through eight:

  “Love is patient; love is kind; and special when shared by two like minds.

  It does not envy, it is not proud; its actions are better than words spoken aloud.

  It does not dishonor, or seek for self; but rather puts the one it loves above all else.

  Not easily angered, nor keeps track of wrong,

  Love is the endless heartbeat in true marriage songs.

  Love doesn’t like evil, but rejoices in truth,

  With compassion, forgiveness, and God at its root.

  It protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres; believes in all goodness, eliminates fears.

  The Light of Love will always prevail.

  Love is pure Spirit … that’s why Love never fails.”

  The audience applauded as Kiki took her seat and Darius joined the band. His latest hit song, “Forever You,” was not only a number-one R & B Billboard sensation, but it was also the perfect message for this special day. The wedding atmosphere took on that of a concert as Darius encouraged the audience to wave their hands in the air. With anyone else, this may have seemed inappropriate, but for Darius Crenshaw … unconventional was expected. Following this somewhat exuberant beginning, a sense of tradition was restored as the Lord’s Prayer was recited and King prepared Princess and Rafael to recite their wedding vows.

  “These two children of God have come here today out of respect for God and in obedience to his command that has been from the very beginning. For of three institutions ordained by God, the home is the oldest. Since its origin is of God, it is honorable and is to be held in the highest esteem of all mankind.” A cough interrupted King’s speech. He looked up to see Derrick lightly touch his fist to his mouth and slightly loosen his tie. Brother is looking as nervous as I feel, he thought with a smile. That was simply a testament to their closeness. They weren’t blood relatives but Derrick and Vivian had often been more of an aunt and uncle to his children than his own siblings.

  After a quick sweep of the crowd, King continued. “So while this ceremony is the legal blending of two hearts that have already been beating in unison, a home is also being formed, and a relationship established that has not only been approved by the state but has been ordained by God and sanctioned by His Holy Spirit.”

  At this time, Reverend Doctor O stood and spoke into a cordless microphone. Anyone listening to his booming, authoritative voice would know he was a preacher. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

  Tai stood, and she and King said in unison, “We do.”

  Bam!

  Princess froze as her heart dropped. Without even looking (because her eyes were squeezed shut) she knew what was happening. Kelvin had entered the church and was now heading toward the stage. Her dream was coming true! She stole a look at Rafael, and was surprised to see a look of concern instead of shock and anger on his face. All of this was processed in the matter of seconds it took Princess to turn around. When she did, she discovered that the commotion was not in the center aisle, as she’d envisioned, but rather at the front of the church.

  “Oh my God!” Without even thinking, Princess scooped up her train and clumsily followed her father, whose long strides had quickly eaten up the distance between him and the ceremony’s interruption. “Oh my God,” she whispered, as she looked down at the man she loved almost as much as she did her father.

  But it wasn’t Kelvin Petersen.

  It was Derrick Montgomery, sprawled out on the sanctuary floor. And he was not moving.

  9

  Ball Of Confusion

  “Somebody call nine-one-one!”

  The soft murmur that began after Princess’s outcry quickly built to a low-grade roar. Necks craned, bodies leaned forward, and people stood to try and see what was going on at the front of the church. But Mount Zion’s well-trained security team was already on it. They formed a tight circle around the felled pastor, disallowing would-be gawkers the chance to pull out their phones and shoot a YouTube moment. The media director instructed the camera crew to point all cameras away from the mayhem, and upon seeing his son otherwise occupied, Reverend Doctor O quickly stepped up to the microphone that King had recently abandoned.

  “Saints of God, we’re in the house of the Lord,” he said, in a tone that immediately caused the talking to lessen but not totally cease. “And one of our brothers is in trouble. If you are a child of God who knows how to call upon the name of Jesus, I beseech you to pray right now. Pray to a just and merciful God. Saints, you don’t need to know what happened or who it is. God sits high and looks low. He sees all, and knows all!”

  Some old habits died hard and others didn’t die at all, and within the span of thirty seconds the atmosphere had gone from wedding to panic to a Sunday-go-to-meeting church service.

  “Amen, Pastor!” Elsie Wanthers, one of Mount Zion’s oldest members—heck, one of the county’s oldest citizens—stood and waved her bright pink handkerchief. “Have mercy, Lord!” she cried, before turning toward the pew to get on her eighty-something-year-old knees.

  Not to be outdone, her good friend of more than fifty years jumped up next. “We serve a mighty God,” Margie Stokes screeched. But few people heard. Her tinny high-pitched voice was no match for either Sister Wanthers’ robust announcement or Reverend Doctor Obadiah’s rich baritone, which filled the building, telling the guests-turned-parishioners what time it was.

  “‘Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care… .’”

  The Musical Messengers fell right into line, forgoing their signature jazzy sound and playing straight-up gospel.

  “ ‘And bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.’”

  Those who knew the song chimed in (which was a small number considering the hymn was penned around 1810). Those who didn’t know the words either hummed … or prayed.

  “ ‘In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!’ �
�

  Darius stepped to the microphone with tears in his eyes. Having been raised by a religious grandmother who had him in church five days a week, he not only knew the song’s first stanza, but all the others as well. The melodic, emotion-laden sound of his voice caused hands to raise and tears to fall.

  “ ‘Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless.’ ”

  Paramedics rushed in. The Spirit of the Lord was so thick in the building that some did not even notice them.

  “ ‘And since He bids me seek His face …”

  The EMTs hurriedly checked Derrick before loading him onto the gurney.

  “Believe His word, and trust His grace …”

  Security created a moving human shield as the gurney was wheeled through the private side door.

  “I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.”

  Erin had rounded up most of the bridesmaids and groomsmen but a few of them followed Rafael and Princess through the private side door. Michael, Joni, Sarah, and Rafael’s best friend, Greg, looked bewildered and concerned as they watched the senior pastor of Kingdom Citizens Christian Center, arguably the most popular mega-church on the country’s West Coast, being wheeled out of the building and into an ambulance. Vivian scrambled into the back as well, oblivious to her now snagged designer suit and scruffed up Jimmy Choos. King turned to his assistant, Joseph, who hurried away to take care of business, and then rushed into his office. Upon seeing Princess’s fear-filled face, and for the first time since seeing his best friend on the floor, he remembered that a wedding was being conducted. He walked over to where the group stood in various poses of disarray.

  “Daddy, what happened?” Princess rushed into her father’s arms. “Is Uncle Derrick going to be okay?”

  “I don’t know, baby,” King said, forcing the raspiness of emotion from his voice. “Your mama and I are headed to the hospital now.”