Chapter Thirty-nine - Kenya
Chapter Thirty-nine
Kenya
The rehearsal dinner
K enya made a mad dash for Cape May after work. A wreck on the Garden State Parkway, where an eighteen-wheeler had slammed into the back of a sedan, had traffic blocked for miles. She tried not to let the irony of it take her to a dark place, cause her grief. No, she needed to move past her grief. Finally, traffic was moving again, and she thought she might make it to Lu’s rehearsal dinner on time after all.
Her phone rang, but she didn’t recognize the number. She wondered if it was a client calling. If so, they were out of luck; she was officially off duty for the entire weekend. Her best friend was getting married tomorrow and she couldn’t be happier. When her phone dinged, she knew that the person had left a long detailed message. Her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to listen.
Hello, Kenya. It’s Eleanor Charles. You know, Deacon Charles’s wife. I hope this message finds you well. I want you to know that you’re responsible for setting a murderer free. Yes, your beloved deacon is a murderer. You see, Julian was threatening to tell me all about their love affair. Eleanor laughed nervously; her voice quivered . Imagine that. My husband, the respected deacon at Cornerstone Baptist Church, was having a love affair with his business partner. Julian didn’t get a chance to tell me in person because he was murdered, but we all know the things that are done in the dark always come to light. They say when you go looking for things, you’re sure to find them. I thought I’d go looking for some in formation about that woman who testified in court. You know, the widow? I wanted to see if they’d been creeping around. But what I found was far more than I bargained for. Instead, I ran across a string of text messages between Donovan and Julian. It’s why I didn’t show up for trial on the second day. I couldn’t bring myself to come. I couldn’t sit in that courtroom, not after knowing the truth. Turns out, Julian didn’t want to be Donovan’s lover any longer. He wanted to pursue a relationship with a new woman in his life and Donovan wasn’t having any of it. It appeared that Julian was tired of Donovan running his life, so he threatened to expose Donovan, destroy his reputation with the good church folk. As a result, Julian lost his life.
There was a long uncomfortable pause.
He begged me to lie about his alibi that night, and like a fool, I did it. He wasn’t home the entire night. When I woke up in the middle of the night, he was gone. Eleanor sighed heavily. Anyway . . . I just thought you should know. If anything happens to me, you know that he did it.
Kenya’s body stiffened; her hands shook. Her mind raced a million miles a minute. How had she missed the signs? Was Deacon Charles really that cunning, or had she just turned a blind eye because she’d wanted him to be innocent so badly? She began to replay every conversation, every detail, every movement, every mannerism in her head.
He was seeing a woman. Some . . . mystery woman. Kenya replayed the deacon’s words in her head, when he’d attempted to place the blame on someone else.
She grabbed the steering wheel, shook it with all her might, and yelled loudly.
“He played me,” Kenya said aloud.
She felt unsettled. Her blood boiled as she fumbled with her phone. She wanted to get Deacon Charles on the phone and confront him. Had she been closer to the city, she might’ve driven to his house, but to do that might place Eleanor at risk. She felt imprisoned, stuck. She had to find a way to remove him from her father’s life, the church, and everything that was good and wholesome. He didn’t belong there. She needed justice for them but had to be careful about how she went about it. He was dangerous when backed into a corner. He’d proven that. She listened to Eleanor’s voice message again and experienced all the same emotions for a second time. She wouldn’t rest until Donovan Charles paid for misleading her.
* * *
Finally home, Kenya remained in the driver’s seat of her car. She couldn’t move. Her heart thumped quickly, loudly. She dialed Mitch’s number and told him about the awkward voicemail that she’d received from Deacon Charles’s wife.
“You’re kidding, right?” he asked.
“Dead serious.”
“Well, you know he can’t be tried again, not for the same crime.” Mitch sighed. “But I don’t know, let me do some digging. People who do bad things usually have a pattern of doing them. Let me see what I can dig up.”
“I would like for him to be ousted from the church and away from my father and my family.”
“I agree. He’s a bad apple.”
“Indeed. Rotten to the core. I have to go for now. I have a rehearsal dinner to attend, but we’ll revisit the subject later.”
“Try to enjoy yourself, Kenya.”
“Will do.”
She hung up, and as soon as she was able to move, she stepped out of the car and went inside. She quickly showered and slipped into the red after-five, off-the-shoulder dress that she’d been dying to wear since its purchase. It was the one that accentuated her curves. The strappy, sexy sandals gave her outfit the perfect finishing touch that it needed. She hopped back into her car and rushed over to Natalia’s winery for the rehearsal dinner.
One of the large tasting rooms at the winery had been transformed into a chic space with crystal and metallic décor. White tablecloths adorned the tables. White roses in gold vases were set at the center of each table. When she rushed into the room late, looking for a place to sit, she quickly realized that there was assigned seating. In fact, there were only two empty seats left. Hers and another one .
She plopped down, right next to Gideon, who was looking exceptionally handsome in his khaki trousers, an off-white crewneck shirt underneath a navy blazer. He gave her a hello with a nod. No words, no enthusiasm, just a nod.
“How are you?” she asked with a smile.
“I’m good. What about you?” he asked in return. He spoke to her as if she were a stranger.
“I’m good, too,” she replied. She attempted to personalize the small talk. “You look good.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t return the compliment. Just the thank you.
The server slid a salad in front of her. She was famished, hadn’t eaten since lunch, so she picked up her fork and devoured her salad. When she finally came up for air, she did a quick scan of the room. Her parents were there, her father looking distinguished in his gray suit and her mother wearing a simple yet beautiful lace dress. She loved how they always complemented each other—she was the yin to his yang, and he hers. The way he looked at her, as if she was the most beautiful girl in the world, was something that Kenya always admired about her daddy.
Natalia was working the room, bouncing around, making sure that all the guests were comfortable and handling the staff and caterers. At the table, seated next to Lu, was John Jr. He’d made good on his promise to attend his sister’s wedding, and that made Kenya happy. When he caught her eye, he raised his glass and gave her a wide grin. She smiled and raised her water glass. When Lu caught Kenya’s eye, she smiled and waved. Kenya gave her a side-eyed glance but waved back. If there was any wonder as to why she was seated right next to Gideon, there was no doubt that the seating arrangement had been carefully orchestrated by the bride-to-be herself.
A beautiful woman wearing a formfitting, cream-colored jumpsuit appeared in the doorway, looked around for a moment as if she was searching for someone. She walked into the room, and Kenya couldn’t help but notice Gideon’s enthusiasm. He waved to her and grinned widely. She gave him a sweet smile, walked over to their table, and took her seat on the opposite side of him. He kissed her cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he told her.
Did he just compliment her?
“Look at you, looking all handsome,” she said as she stroked him arm. “Sorry I’m late. Flight was delayed.”
“It’s okay. We’re just getting started with the salad.” Gideon motioned to the server.
Kenya’s body became tense. The smile that had graced the corners of her mouth just a few minutes before was gone. She was overcome with jealousy. Who was this woman who had Gideon’s undivided attention since the moment she walked into the room? Kenya was so busy staring at them that she hadn’t heard the server ask if she wanted something to drink.
“I’m sorry, yes, I’d like a Chardonnay, please.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring it right away.”
Across the room, Zach stood and tapped his fork against his glass. “May I have your attention, please?”
The room quieted down and all eyes were on him.
“Lu and I would just like to say welcome and thank you all for agreeing to share in our special day. It’s been a long time coming. And I must say, we’ve had a few challenges along the way, but we’re here! Our big day is upon us, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m thankful to have this woman by my side.” He looked at Lu, and the two of them smiled and gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment. “Tonight, we want you to eat, drink, and mingle. Unwind. Tomorrow, we do the damn thing!”
The room exploded with cheers and applause. Kenya clapped, and her heart was warmed as she watched her friend from across the room. Lu had found her Prince Charming, and Kenya couldn’t have been more elated. Even though she thought she might’ve had to drop-kick Lu’s Prince Charming, she was happy that he’d managed to get himself unmarried just days before his wedding.
The live band began to serenade the guests with its smooth instruments. Gideon and the woman in off-white made their way to the dance floor and danced to the upbeat song. Her father tapped her on the shoulder. She was grateful, too. She had no intention of sitting and watching as Gideon waltzed someone else around the room.
“Let’s dance, baby girl.” Walter Lewis grabbed her by the hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.
“You’re looking very handsome tonight, Daddy.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. And aren’t you just the prettiest girl in the room? Well, the second prettiest. Your mother is the prettiest.” Walter laughed in his deep baritone.
“She is quite beautiful.” Kenya glanced over at her mother as she held on to her father’s hand while he swept her across the floor.
“I’m so proud of you. You were so great in that courtroom.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Although I have some deep concerns about your beloved deacon, I’m glad I was able to get a win for you and the members of the church, but . . .”
“I think we all share some of those deep concerns right with you, sweetheart.”
“Really? Like which ones?” She leaned back and looked at her father, wanted to know what he knew.
“I’m an old man, but I’ve been around the block a few times.” Walter’s eyes danced when he laughed. “I’ve already uncovered some things about my old friend, Donovan Charles. The board members have already begun proceedings to have him removed from the deacon board, among other things. But that’s a conversation for another time. Let’s enjoy your friend’s big day. She’s looking mighty beautiful over there.”
They both looked over at Lu, who was busting moves with Zach on the dance floor.
“Yes, she is. She’s genuinely happy, and I’m glad about it.”
“Zach is a good man,” her father asserted. “I can’t wait to do the nuptials at their wedding tomorrow.”
“Indeed he is a good man. And good for her.”
Suddenly, the music slowed down, and the band began their cover of the Jackson Five’s old tune “Who’s Loving You,” giving it a nice twist. Kenya was completely caught off guard when Gideon approached them, asking her father if he could cut in. Walter stepped aside and Gideon grabbed Kenya by the waist.
He pulled her closer, leaned in. “Hope you didn’t mind me cutting in.”
“I thought you’d still be on the floor with your little girlfriend over there.”
He followed her glance to the woman seated at their table, who was watching them, a light smile on her face.
“Oh, you mean my sister Geneva?” Gideon grinned widely. “She didn’t feel like dancing anymore.”
“Your sister.” Kenya dropped her head in shame.
“Jealousy is not your thing. You’re much too confident for that.” Gideon grabbed her chin, pulled her head up, and looked into her eyes. “And much too beautiful.”
“I admit I did get a little jealous, hearing the man I love dote on another woman.”
Did those words really just topple out of her mouth, and without warning?
“Ah, the man you love ,” he gloated.
“Yes. I’ve finally come to terms with it,” she owned it.
“Come to terms with it?” He laughed heartily. “You make it sound like an illness or a burden.”
“It’s neither of those things, but I must admit that it is very scary and confusing for me. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way about anyone.”
“I understand, and the last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.”
“The only discomfort I felt was hearing you tell another woman how beautiful she was in my presence, all the while ignoring me.” She was transparent with Gideon. She loved that she could be herself with him—no facades.
“Well, the man you love just happened to be doting on his baby sister. Besides, he only has eyes for the woman he loves . And she’s standing right in front of him, wearing the hell out of that red dress, I must say. In fact, she took his breath away when she sashayed her way into the room.”
“Sashayed?” She turned her lip upward, then frowned.
“Yeah, you sashayed into the room.”
“I did not sashay! If anything, I walked in and commanded the room.”
“You sashayed.” She could feel the heat from Gideon’s lips as he whispered in her ear.
“Shut up and kiss me,” Kenya ordered him.
“You mean in front of all these people? You do know that’s PDA, right? You know you don’t engage in any type of public displays of affection.”
Kenya grabbed Gideon’s lapel, pulling him closer. Her lips found his and she kissed him with intensity. He grabbed her waist, pulled her into him, moved to the music. She followed his lead. Her heart was full, her emotions all over the place. In a single evening, she’d learned the most horrific information about one man, all the while giving another man permission to love her, deeply, unconditionally, and unapologetically.