by Hallie Lee
“Of course,” Mom put her arm around Bella. “He never leaves home without it. And I know he’ll be happy to help you prepare for your audition with James.” Unsurprisingly, Mom had finagled a tryout for Bella at James’s church. The fact that it would infuriate Jesse, James’s evil twin brother, was lagniappe. “You know,” she told Bella. “Sterling plays at North Lake, the big church in Kentucky.”
“Yep, Uncle Wolf and I listen online every Sunday.”
Dad nudged me as we followed Mom into the airport lobby. “Isn’t that Tammy Jo?”
Tammy Jo stood alone, dressed in jeans and a peasant blouse. She seemed uncomfortable, clutching her purse tightly to her chest. I’d barely had time to register Petey’s ex-girlfriend’s presence when Mom moved toward her with a robust embrace. “Tammy Jo, Petey will be so happy to see you!”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but Tammy Jo was obviously thrilled to see Mom. As the two chatted, Dad mumbled into my ear. “Are they back together?”
“I didn’t think so,” I replied. “Guess we’re about to find out though.”
Our crew from the hills of Kentucky rode down the airport escalator to a spectacle of balloons, flowers, and whoops and hollers. Aunt Robin looked classy, as always. She sported designer glasses and a short, straight bob. She was thin, but not frail like in days past. She and Mom simultaneously burst into tears and flew into each other’s arms.
“So that’s the legendary Aunt Robin.” Bella whispered.
“And look at Petey’s hair!” Micah skidded as she leapt into Petey’s embrace. Dad and I chuckled as Micah ran her hands through Petey’s unruly, light brown hair. “Told y’all he’d turned into a hillbilly.”
“How’s your shoulder, son?” Dad got a little teary eyed as he enveloped Petey in a rambunctious man-hug.
“Awesome,” Petey’s tone shifted as he placed his hands on either side of Dad’s face. “Nice to lay eyes on you, old man.” He turned to me. “Luke.”
“PeePee,” I joked as we did the man hug thing. I’d teased him with the nickname for Peter since we were kids. Although it hadn’t stuck, Petey had, which seemed a perfect compromise to me—although I didn’t think he appreciated it. “You remember Bella, Micah’s friend?”
“Yeah,” Petey gave Bella the once over. “You grew up.” He wrapped her in a hug. “I’m sorry about your mamaw.” As my brother held Bella’s gaze, his sincerity, as always, was palpable. “How’s your mama coping? And your uncle?”
“They’re okay,” Bella answered in a soft voice. “I’ll tell them you asked.”
I cut my eyes toward Tammy Jo, who stood to the side of the lively reunion. Petey took his cue, and hurried to her with a gigantic smile.
Micah tugged Bella over to meet Sterling and Violet. “This is my best friend, Bella.”
Although they were fraternal twins, Sterling and Violet hardly looked alike. Sterling was tall, dark-haired, and muscular, while Violet was lanky, pale, and blond. For the longest time, Violet was a head taller than Sterling, although it seemed he’d finally caught up. Almost.
“I heard you got some pipes,” Sterling said to Bella.
“I heard you’ve got a guitar,” she responded with a grin.
“Perfect!” Micah clapped. “A match made in heaven.”
Although Sterling was clearly taken with Bella’s beauty, he remained composed. When the two of them drifted into a language that was foreign to me, something to do with chords, turn arounds, and vamps, Violet and I exchanged greetings. “How’s school? You cure cancer yet?”
In a rare, impulsive gesture, Violet ducked her head into my chest. “One day,” she whispered into my ear. Like me, Violet had taken her dad’s death hard. Also like me, she was shy and socially awkward, which is why we’d always gravitated toward one another.
While she lacked her twin’s confidence and self-assuredness, she was intensely driven. And wicked smart. “Who’s she?” She peered over my head toward Petey, who was engaged in an intense conversation with Tammy Jo.
“Oh, that’s Tammy Jo. Petey’s…” I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know what she is to Petey.”
Violet raised her eyebrow in question.
Before I could elaborate, everyone’s attention swung to an unpleasant, mournful, yowl. “That’s mama’s cat,” explained Violet. “Buford.”
Aunt Robin lowered her face to a bedazzled pet carrier and cooed, “It’s okay, Buford. We’re about to get our luggage and head to Shady Gully.”
“God’s country.” Dad grabbed a couple of suitcases. “Let’s hit the road.”
Sterling grabbed a guitar case plastered with blue University of Kentucky stickers as it rolled around the conveyor belt. I watched as he, Micah, and Bella headed toward the exit.
“There’s my best boy.” Aunt Robin stood on her tiptoes and wrapped me in a tight hug. As her tiny body shuddered, I thought about what Mama had said about it hurting to look at me.
“I’ve missed you, Aunt Robin.”
“I’ve missed you more,” she said thickly. “You’re so handsome, Luke. The girls must be falling all over themselves to get to you.”
“You’d think, wouldn’t you?” I teased. “But not so much.” I glanced over my shoulder, hoping that Bella had heard Aunt Robin’s compliment. But she was long gone. No doubt talking music with Sterling and Micah.
“I’ve been doing some research,” she said. “I’ve got some statistics on incorporation. We’re going to rally the troops while I’m here.”
That was music to my ears.
On the way home, Sterling rode shotgun, while Micah and Bella sat in the backseat. Everything was great until Bob Seger came up. “Play some of that old guy,” Micah suggested. “You know, the one we were listening to on the way.”
“Yeah,” Bella leaned into the front seat, eye-balling Sterling. “Bob Seger.”
“Yeah, he’s the master.” Sterling snapped open the clasps on his guitar case. “Off the chart riffs.”
“Turn it on, Luke,” Bella’s blue eyes pleaded.
I did what she asked, and then Bob Seger betrayed me. That whimsical notion of “Real Love” fell away as Sterling began to strum his guitar.
My handsome cousin grinned as he twisted in his seat, no doubt mastering off the chart riffs. I watched as he and Bella bonded, crooning into one another’s eyes, enjoying a harmonious, musical affair all the way back to Shady Gully.
Even Micah lost her appetite for random chit chat, snapping her fingers in time.
•
Mary Ann and Ginger were crazy about Buford. He, however, was not at all impressed with them. A black, short-haired cat with bright green eyes, Buford frantically searched the living room for a place of refuge.
Even Aunt Robin couldn’t calm him. Ginger, Mom’s yappy Papillion, chased Buford behind Dad’s recliner, and he, being a cat, flattened himself into a pancake and crawled into the guts of the chair. Ginger whined incessantly, positioning herself next to the chair, determined to wait him out. “I guess I can’t sit in my chair now, huh?” Dad asked.
“Lenny!” fussed Aunt Robin.
Dad handed her a glass of wine, and she and Mom toasted one another. Again.
I moved toward the kitchen, sipping a cold beer and trying to keep track of Bella, who held court with Petey and Sterling. Her head swiveled back and forth, obviously dazzled by whatever brilliant, insightful, or otherwise scintillating utterances came out of their mouths.
“I guess I’m going to go.”
I turned toward the female voice behind me, surprised to find Tammy Jo balancing a plate and a glass of wine. She had dark hair and an easy smile. When Dad had back surgery years ago, she’d been his nurse, and the first time she walked into his hospital room, Petey and I had taken notice. Not only because of her eye-popping curves, but we found her sunny disposition infectious. In true Petey fashio
n, however, he’d managed to come away with her phone number while I’d been out fetching the car.
Story of my life. Always one step behind. Always the runner up. Especially to PeePee.
“Why?” I picked up her napkin as it fell to the floor. “Stay. I know Petey wants—”
“No, he doesn’t.” She took her napkin. “And that’s okay. We’d sort of drifted apart even before he went to Lexington. But he seems happy, and I’m good with that.”
I felt a stab of anger toward my jovial sibling, and yet I also felt the need to defend him. “I think he’s just trying to catch up with everyone. You know how he is.”
“I do. And I know in my heart he’s moved on.” Our gazes naturally flashed across the room as floppy-eared Mary Ann followed Violet as she joined Petey and his circle of fans on the patio. We watched as he did a little dance, and everyone tossed their heads back in laughter. Even Mary Ann pranced with delight. Tammy Jo chuckled. “I can’t get mad at him, Luke. Look at him. He’s special.”
“He is,” I fought a grin as Petey coaxed Bubba and Daryl into his joyous orb, and again, evoked another round of laughter. Simply by being himself.
“He’s a free spirit,” Tammy Jo said. “And he’s going to do something special. I can’t wait to see what it is.”
I was dumbfounded by the level of devotion my brother aroused in people, even those he disappointed. I finally muttered, “Well, I hope you’ll stay in touch. Mama loves you.”
“I feel the same about your family.” She finished her wine and dropped her plate in the garbage can as she moved to the door. “Tell everyone bye for me. Would you?”
I’d no sooner watched Tammy Jo close the door behind her when a familiar voice sounded behind me. “Are you having fun, my sweet Luke?
I grinned. “I am, Aunt Robin. How are you holding up?”
“I’m tired.” She took a sip of red wine, no doubt from a rare, expensive grape. “But it’s lovely to see the gang back together. The kids are so happy here.”
A comfortable silence lay between us as we considered the room. Sterling and Bella, side by side on the couch, their heads bent together as he pointed out a guitar string. Bubba and Violet against the tiki lights on the patio, watching Petey as he tinkered with burgers on the grill. Daryl having a serious conversation with Mom and Dad. And Micah greeting Quietdove as he arrived with a bottle of wine and a grocery bag. I noted the familiarity between them as they unpacked chips and dip onto the kitchen bar.
“You could move back,” I told Aunt Robin.
“No, Kentucky is my home now. And besides, I can come visit anytime I want and enjoy the view on the lake.” Aunt Robin owned a beautiful house along Osprey Lake, which was about thirty minutes past the creek, where Bella and her family lived. Sometimes Dad and I would stay a weekend and fish, making sure the house was secure and in working order.
“Y’all aren’t going to try to drive out there tonight, are you?”
“Oh no,” she held up her wine. “Your mama and I will be talking way into the night, trying to see who can hold out the longest.” She looked suddenly wistful, and I wondered, not for the first time, about the deep history she shared with my mom and dad. “I love my visits here, although I’m not so sure Buford is feeling the love for Louisiana.”
“Still hiding?” I sipped my beer, which had turned warm.
“I think he’s nested inside your Dad’s chair.” She chuckled, turning her attention to Micah and Quietdove, who lingered together at the bar. “Who is that handsome fellow talking to Micah?”
“That’s Quietdove. He works with Ricky. Uh, Sheriff Rick. And Max.”
“My little monkey of a brother. I can’t wait to see him. And Ernie too.”
Aunt Robin had lost her parents in a car accident when I was a kid, and Ernie and Max were her only living relatives. Not counting us, of course.
“So,” she said. “Our mission while I’m here is to get twenty-five percent of Shady Gully to sign our petition for incorporation.”
“Okay.” My pulse quickened. “That will take a grassroot effort, but I can get a volunteer movement going, and I believe once people understand the benefits of incorporation, we can get popular support.”
“Excellent. I have total faith in you,” she sipped her wine, her attitude fiery. “Once that’s done, we have to provide evidence to the state legislature of financial feasibility.”
“Absolutely. I’ve already got statistics, and a power point on the ready.”
“Good. And we’ll need a professional study done.”
I let out a bemused whistle. According to my research, successful studies came with a steep price tag, upwards of $30,000. “Is that necessary? They’re expensive.”
“I’ve got it,” she said. “We’re going to get this done, Luke.”
Encouraged, my heart pounded. Finally, I had someone that took me, and my causes, seriously. Sometimes it seemed that Aunt Robin was the only one who understood me and saw my dreams as worthwhile.
“I’m game,” I grinned. “Although I’m afraid our good sheriff is going to be an obstacle.”
“Ricky?” Her hearty chuckle got Bubba’s attention from outside the patio window. He beamed as he entered the house, making quick steps toward her. “Ricky won’t be a problem. Leave him to me.”
Bubba enveloped Robin in a hug so massive she disappeared into the bulk of his heft. “I just can’t get enough hugs, Robin. Lordy, but I missed you. Why don’t you move back? I betcha’ Desi can talk ya into it.”
As Bubba led Aunt Robin toward mom and dad, she glanced over her shoulder, winking at me.
I meandered into the kitchen, reaching into the ice chest for a cold beer. Micah and Quietdove were so deep into a random conversation about dental hygiene they never even noticed me.
“Hey, I brought you some cake.” Bella appeared, her blue eyes turning up in mischief. “It’s called hummingbird cake. Isn’t that funny?”
I set the beer down, smiling as I took the plate. “Mom makes it for special occasions.” I took a bite, willing to eat the whole piece in one sitting to show my appreciation. “Thanks.”
She said nothing. Just stood there watching me eat. “Are you having fun?” I asked conversationally, but my mouth was so full the words came out garbled.
“Yes.”
“Good,” I forked in another bite. She laughed, which gave me time to chew, although I needed a swig of beer to help me swallow.
“I feel normal here.” She glanced around the living room, through the sliding glass doors, and onto the patio where Petey flipped burgers. “I wish mama could see how nice everybody is.”
“Well, maybe she should come the next time we have a party.” I ran my tongue along my teeth, tasting the sweetness of cream cheese icing. I ventured, “But you’re not normal, Bella.” When she squinted at me, I explained, “I mean, you’re way too special to be normal.”
“Oh,” the way she dragged the word out embarrassed me, as if I’d said the wrong thing. Too soon. Too cheesy. Just—too much. And then she said, “Thanks. I hope I feel special when I audition for James. If I get the position on the creative team, they’ll see that I fit in.”
“Who? You mean people in the community? At church?”
“No. I mean mama. And Uncle Wolf.”
The doorbell chimed, followed by the clicks of Mary Ann and Ginger’s toenails as they rushed to the door to screen the guests.
“Come in,” everyone shouted, followed by a round of merry laughter.
“Who would ring the doorbell?” wondered Dad.
“Anybody home?” Sheriff Rick peeked through the crack in the front door.
“Oh crap,” whooped Bubba. “Quick everybody, hide your drinks!”
More laughter as Rick padded through the foyer, his arms loaded with cupcakes and flowers. I noted his new haircut, and his nif
ty khakis.
Max followed, along with his wife, Danielle, and they made a quick beeline to Aunt Robin. As the siblings reunited, and the family embrace turned boisterous, and prolonged, Rick awkwardly meandered into the kitchen.
“Evening, Luke.”
“Sheriff,” I relieved him of most of his party favors.
“I’ll keep those—” Although he maintained a firm hand hold on the flowers.
I backed off, amused. “Would you like something to—”
“No,” he answered quickly. And then, as if he realized his abruptness, he added, “No thanks. Howdy Bella, how are you?”
“Fine, Sheriff. I like your haircut.”
He seemed uncomfortable by the praise, so I resisted a compliment on his sharp looking khakis. His demeanor changed when Aunt Robin approached.
“Hey Ricky.” As she stood on her tippy toes, he lowered himself into her hug.
“He likes to be called Sheriff Rick.” Whether the sugar in the hummingbird cake or Bella’s attention prompted my teasing remark, I thoroughly enjoyed the incensed look on the Sheriff’s mustached face.
“That’s right,” Aunt Robin looked at him. “Lenny told me you were elected in a landslide. Congratulations. You’re the perfect man for the job.”
My eyes practically bugged out as he blushed, and then awkwardly handed her the flowers.
“Thank you,” she said. “How thoughtful.”
His eyes followed Aunt Robin as she opened cabinets, searching for a vase. “You know what I would love, if you have the time?” She fiddled with the flowers, arranging them to perfection.
“What’s that?” Sheriff Rick admired the flowers. Admired her.
“Well, Luke and I have been brainstorming about what we need to do to get everybody excited about incorporation. Don’t you think it would be a good thing for Shady Gully?”
“Oh, yeah.” He didn’t even blink. “Absolutely.”
“Well, we could really use your guidance, your help navigating some of the hiccups. You know?”
“Sure. Yeah. Anything I can do.”
Stunned, I had to literally place my hand on the bar to balance myself.
