a circle, and after Brian shared his heart with the entire group, Cedric began to pray. Brian was suddenly teary-eyed. Maybe because it was remarkable to see how far God had brought them both. Maybe because he had been needing a close circle like this more than he knew.
But maybe the tears stemmed from something else. Maybe because the one person he wished was in the circle, holding his hand and praying with him, was upstairs avoiding him.
thirteen
KELLI BOUNDED DOWN THE STAIRS FRIDAY, READY FOR A FUN night out with her brothers and sisters-in-law. After dinner they’d catch a movie, and if they still had energy she’d pitch a stop at Ted Drewes for frozen custard, a St. Louis favorite she hadn’t had in a long while. Being able to spend time with family like this was a new treat, but she looked forward to it for another reason as well—to get her mind off the mental roller coaster it had been riding all week.
She looked down at her constant companion. Reese had already fashioned new headquarters in her room, complete with a blanket the dog had dragged upstairs and lodged in a corner, along with a collection of toys. And now she’d started letting Kelli know when she wanted a walk. She’d just dropped her leash at Kelli’s feet.
“Didn’t Cedric walk you when he got home? And I know I walked you this morning.” Kelli rubbed her behind the ears. “I think I’m spoiling you.”
Cyd and Cedric were upstairs getting ready. They had thirty minutes before they needed to meet Stephanie and Lindell at the restaurant. Plus those eyes looked so pitiful.
“Okay, girl, come on. I’ll give you a quick trip around the block.”
Kelli attached her leash and led Reese out the back door and down the driveway. A downpour earlier in the afternoon had ushered in a nice cool summer breeze. Kelli breathed it in as they trekked down the sidewalk and tried to breathe out everything on her mind.
The week had started on a high. She loved the experience of recording the song, even learning how to use the computer keyboard and other instruments in GarageBand on the Mac. Laying down her own music and lyrics and hearing them back gave her a thrill she hadn’t expected, permission to bask for a moment, to accept that God might very well be about to bless her with a deep desire of her heart.
The excitement increased after they’d sent the mp3 late Sunday to Monica’s assistant. Monica replied herself the next morning, excited to receive it, saying she’d already forwarded it to the production team. She added—with a yellow smiley face—that she’d be calling her team within the hour to get feedback and told Kelli to expect an update soon.
The rest of Monday and all day Tuesday, Kelli’s imagination soared. Maybe she’d get to go to the studio to watch Monica record the song. And maybe, just maybe, she’d get to sing some background vocals. She’d never dreamed of being a singer—so many did it better—but Monica’s comment about her voice had encouraged her. She caught herself singing the background melody to the song as she went about her day.
When no word came by Wednesday evening, Kelli began to back away. It didn’t take three full days to listen to a four-minute recording. They didn’t like it. They’d moved on . . . and neglected to let her know.
On Thursday she focused her energy where it should’ve been the last two weeks—on finding a job. She reviewed her folder of information on public relations firms and corporate marketing departments in the St. Louis area and perused their websites. She would target those who were hiring first, hopeful that Cedric could get her in the door with a few of them.
Miles had helped focus her too, e-mailing a Dallas Morning News article that profiled a local PR firm and its successful launches of different brands. Felt good to get her head back in the game, remember why she’d gone to graduate school. She didn’t need to be up in the clouds thinking about music again. She needed to find a position and start working.
But Stephanie had called to give her a pep talk that morning. “We haven’t heard anything, and I know you’re thinking the worst, but there could be a million reasons for the delay, none having to do with you or the song. Don’t forget—Monica loves it!”
Kelli smiled at a dog walker coming her way and moved Reese