My Steps Are Ordered (16 page)

Keith and Gina landed in Atlanta on time. They'd enjoyed first-class seats and a special treat in recognition of the coming holiday, Independence Day. They had been afforded a small measure of privacy since first class was practically empty. In fact, there had been only one other person in the section, and he appeared to be in his own world.

Keith urged Gina to use this occasion to relax. As she'd rested her head on his shoulder, he basked in the simple pleasure of being in her company. It had taken him a couple of days to clear his schedule. He hoped he would be able to resolve things with Michael and prayed they could rebuild their former relationship.

He missed his brother with a fierceness that surprised him. As he got off the small aircraft, a sense of nostalgia encircled him. He couldn't help but remember the last time he had been with Gina in Atlanta. It had been for her birthday, but it had turned into a vigil for Trey. Though he'd been back since for two mega gospel conventions, it had still been almost a year since he'd last set foot in Atlanta.

In hindsight, Keith welcomed the experience he had with Gina, because it precipitated his learning about Christ and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. He quietly uttered the words, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me,” and felt a calm reassurance assuage his fears.

Gina gave him an odd look.

“I'm whispering a scripture for fortitude. I'm not a madman,” Keith assured her.

“I'm glad to hear you're apprehensive. I was wondering if God had made you invincible. Nice to know you're still human.”

Her words were preaching words. He couldn't let that slide. “I'm a Christian, not an alien from outer space. I still have feelings—as you know—but it's how I deal with them that's different. I'm a human. I'm flawed, but I serve a perfect God.” Keith couldn't hold back his praise. “Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus, for salvation.”

Gina glanced to the left and the right as a light blush grazed her cheeks. Keith didn't care. He wasn't ashamed of God.

Keith followed Gina to long-term parking. She disabled the alarm system on a red Range Rover. He gave a small whistle. Her tastes had improved since he'd last seen her.

“Thanks for the luxury ride.”

She rolled her eyes and hoisted her small frame into the driver's seat and started up the engine. Keith bit back a smile and jumped into the vehicle. Gina expertly maneuvered the vehicle out of the space and then tore out of the lot.

As he watched her drive, Keith acknowledged that he was worried about her. He knew she was being manipulated by his brother, but Keith didn't have a clue what Michael was holding over her head, and he hated being in the dark. However, no matter how he coaxed and prodded, Keith hadn't been able to get anything out of Gina.

This only heightened his concern, because it wasn't like her to be close-lipped with him about something. It had to be big. He uttered a prayer while she navigated through the city and into the suburbs. His eyes widened when she pulled into the driveway of a sprawling mansion in Alpharetta.

His eyes roamed the flamboyant structure before him. It spoke of so much opulence and grandeur that Keith couldn't contain his surprise. He looked askance at Gina, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Your brother's choosing,” was all she said.

Keith followed suit as she exited the vehicle and walked up to the house. She'd left the keys in the ignition. A gentleman, who, Keith presumed, was a caretaker, got in the car and drove off.

Keith knew his brother was wealthy, but Michael had never flashed his money so ostentatiously before. He knew without any doubt that this wasn't Gina's doing. She had exquisite taste and style, but she had always been restrained and conservative. These upgrades were a clear indication that his brother had changed. He was overcompensating for something that was lacking.

Gina opened the door and greeted an older Latina woman. She introduced Keith to Melinda Diaz and instructed her to show Keith into the great room. Then she excused herself to freshen up.

After being escorted into the great room, Keith took a seat in one of the chairs and waited for her to return. He remembered a time when he would have made himself at home already, but Keith was all too aware that this visit was altogether different. He felt uncomfortable and sat stiffly in his seat until Gina returned.

When she reappeared, she took him on a quick tour of the house. As he looked around and took in his surroundings, Keith remained silent. But on the inside, thoughts were racing through his head. This was not a home; it was a massive monument with all the glitz and luxuries one could desire. The house lacked warmth.

Keith did not see Gina's stamp anywhere. In fact, she acted like a real estate agent who was giving a tour of a mausoleum. Her voice lacked any real pride or enthusiasm. As he listened to Gina ramble on, he had to prevent himself from grabbing her and shaking life into her. Her entire demeanor was monotone and resigned. This was not the same woman he'd encountered in New York a few days ago.

Keith came to a halt. “Gina.”

She stopped and turned to face him. She looked at him and then avoided his questioning eyes.

Keith reached over and turned her face toward him. He couldn't keep the pity from his eyes and voice. He glided his thumb down her ear and trailed a path to her neck. “This is a nice house, but where is your touch?”

He knew she saw and despised his pity, but she'd never admit it. Instead of answering his question, she scoffed, “What do you mean? Michael hired the best of the best to turn this place into a showpiece.”

He agreed. “I agree with you. It's a showpiece. But is it a home?”

“Ouch,” was all she said, followed by an awkward laugh. She declined to answer him further. Keith wished she would open up and tell him the truth. She was spared having to utter another word, as at that moment they both heard Michael calling for her.

“Come on. Let's go get this over with,” she said, offering Keith a hand. He put his hand in hers, but discomfort filled him.

Gina dragged her feet like a woman heading to the guillotine instead of toward her husband. She held Keith's hand until she was at the door of Michael's study. Then she removed her hand from his.

Taking a deep breath, Keith entered the room to see his brother.

 

 

Michael had been anticipating Keith's arrival. He had planned this meeting down to every single iota and now wanted to see his plan come to fruition. He could admit a small part of him wanted to patch things up between himself and his brother, but the greater part of him couldn't. He had constant reminders every day of his life of Keith's transgressions, and the bitterness covered his heart and overtook his good judgment.

Even if he wanted to, he couldn't mend things now. He had gone too far to turn back now. He'd been ruthless about damaging his relationship with Gina. It felt satisfying to see her face blanch with pain. He'd approached his marriage like he did his business ventures, and he was reaping the returns from his investment.

Gina was faithful to him. She fulfilled every demand and wish like a devoted employee. She stayed in the marriage because she'd grown up in a single-parent home and hadn't liked it. She didn't want her son to have to experience that. Her guilt was the second reason. He didn't know why she still blamed herself for his accident, but that didn't stop him from using it against her.

The problem was every now and then his conscience kicked in, and Michael would admit to himself that he wanted a wife. He wanted his old life back, with Gina by his side. However, he would dismiss his momentary pang of regret each time. Gina and Keith had ruined his ideal life, and they had to pay.

Keith greeted his brother. “Hello, Michael.” He extended his hand. Was that supposed to be a peace offering?

“Keith.” Michael choked on the word. His brother still looked handsome. Michael looked over at Gina, who had remained in the doorway. He saw the color in her cheeks and knew Keith was the one who had put it there. He made a fist. He resented it, but he could keep up the charade a little longer. It would be all worth it in the end. He would have the last laugh.

Michael reached out and gave his brother a hug. He had to make Keith believe he wanted to reconcile things between them. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to savor the moment. He knew Keith had fallen for his act when his brother returned the hug.

When the brothers parted, Michael saw tears in Keith's eyes. He looked over at Gina and saw she was also teary.

Oh, this is too easy.
It was all he could do to keep from laughing out loud. Michael's smile was as insincere as it was wide. “I'm so happy you're here.” He extended his hand toward Gina, who walked over to him.

He enfolded her in his arms. Michael kissed her full on the lips. It was all for Keith's benefit, but he knew she would comply because he had something she wanted. “Go to our old house,” Michael whispered in Gina's hair. He gripped her hair during their seemingly tender embrace.

Heedless of the pain, Gina laughed with relief. “I didn't know you still owned that house. I thought you sold it before we moved to England.” She gave him a genuine hug of gratitude before excusing herself.

Michael could see the blatant curiosity as Keith watched the exchange, but his brother refrained from his characteristic bluntness. Gina had bounced out of the room without sparing Keith another thought, which was fine by him.

“So where's Trey?” Keith asked.

“They're at the other house. You'll see them soon,” Michael replied. He turned his back to Keith and trudged over to his desk to pick up a pen, which he proceeded to twirl in his hands.

“They?”

Michael could've kicked himself for his blunder. He'd forgotten his brother was still an attorney at heart and didn't miss much. He fought for nonchalance and made sure he maintained a calm tone.

“Yes. We hired a nanny.” Michael hoped he had covered the slipup well, although all would be revealed in due time. When Keith nodded, he felt relieved to know his brother had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

I hope he knows I didn't buy that.
Keith wasn't fooled for an instant. He had questioned enough witnesses to know when someone was lying or holding something back, and his brother was guilty of both. Michael's posture and the nervous twirling of the pen in his hands were a dead giveaway. Nevertheless, he had come to mend fences, not to stir up anything, so he shrugged his shoulders and allowed the matter to rest.

The two brothers spoke about general topics and fell into a brief camaraderie of sorts. Keith relaxed his stance and berated himself for reading more into things. His brother seemed the same as always. Though things with his brother and Gina appeared tense, it might not mean anything.

Michael finished giving him the tour Gina had begun. Then he showed Keith his room. It was the very last bedroom in the east wing of the house. Michael and Gina's bedroom suite was in the other wing. Keith was glad for the distance between them, though it was of no surprise that Michael had arranged things that way.

Michael excused himself on the pretext of getting some work done. Keith was glad for the time to shower and read his Bible. He chose to read about Jacob and Esau and their reunion. The two brothers had been at war with each other because Jacob had stolen Esau's birthright. He enjoyed reading this passage of scripture because it was somewhat like his and Michael's situation. He only hoped this truce lasted.

Keith fell to his knees by the side of his bed and prayed a fervent prayer for his brother and his family. He prayed and thanked God for all that He had done. At the end of the prayer, he stood and called his mother. He promised to see her before he left Georgia. Gerry cried tears of joy when she heard her sons were renewing their bond.

Keith then called his assistant, Natalie, to check on things. She sounded excited to hear from him, and then she mentioned his impending interview.

Keith burrowed his ear deeper into the phone. “What interview?” he asked.

“What do you mean, what interview?” Her voice sounded acidic through the phone.

Keith turned down the phone's volume several decibels, because she was now screeching.

“It's been on Twitter all day. Your interview with CNN. Isn't that the reason you flew to Georgia?” Her patience was wearing thin.

Keith's heart hammered in his chest. He tapped his chin with his index finger. Something was not right here. He had no clue what Natalie was rambling on about.

“Turn on the TV!” she said. “CNN is talking about your upcoming interview.”

Keith picked up the remote to the television hanging on the wall above the dresser, clicked the TV on, and changed channels until he found CNN. Sure enough, she was right. The line remained quiet while he listened in. The announcer declared there was going to be a televised event about him, his brother, and their sordid past.

Michael.
It all made sense now. His brother was behind this. Keith was sure of it. His brother's saccharine grin flashed across Keith's mind. Michael was knee-deep involved in this.

“I've got to go,” Keith said, rushing to get off the phone. He was going to confront his brother. He walked out of his room. His insides churned with each stride he took down the long hallway. This was not a pleasant reunion to bury the hatchet. He'd been set up. He knew it. He needed only to know the how and why.

Keith raced through the house and found Michael in his study. His brother looked as if he had been anticipating his arrival.

“So you heard about the interview?” Michael swiveled his chair back and forth.

“Yeah,” Keith responded. He stemmed the urge to snatch his brother out of the chair. He wanted to wipe that look off his face. “What's going on? Our relationship and affairs are private. Anything going on with us or with my personal life is not something I want publicized on a national scale.”