Mixed CD's

Unexpected
1. God of Wonders
2. Here Without You-Three Doors Down
3. Standing There-The Beatles
4. He Purposed-Kelly Price
5. Wonderwall-Oasis
6. Hanging By a Moment-Lifehouse
7. Dear Jamie... Sincerely Me-Hellogoodbye
8. Cute-Stephen Jerzak

“Hey Pastor Bill.” I sang, walking into the church early Wednesday night. I set my guitar down and shook his hand.

“Hello Jimmie, glad you could make it. We’re about to have a staff meeting, so if you could just go down to the main sanctuary and we’ll start in a few minutes.” he said, pointing to the large oak doors.

I smiled and grabbed my guitar before slipping into the large room. Everyone was seated up front and I took a seat next to Zach and placed my guitar my feet.

“Hello Jimmie.” he quietly said, dragging his blue eyes up to mine.

“Hey.” I grinned, patting my hair down and fixing my blue shirt.

“Long time no see. Having fun with the boyfriend?”

I laughed a little before nodding “Yeah. But I have to wait for him to come back from tour to see him again. Don’t really have the money to fly out to wherever he is.”

“I completely understand what you mean on that one. Don’t get paid much here, do we?”

“Not particularly.” I responded with a light sigh.

He chuckled and nodded his head, his curly blonde hair stuck to his forehead from the heat and Pastor Bill stood in front of us.

“Well, hello everyone.” he smiled, “I’m glad that you all could come in on such a short notice. The reason why I’m calling you all in today is because I hope that you can understand on why paychecks have been so scarce.” I took a deep breath in, hoping that he didn’t just overhear me and Zach. I froze when he made eye contact with me. “But as you all know this is a non-profit church and we rely solely on tides and offerings in order to pay our employees.”

I played with my fingers as someone raised their hand. The pastor nodded in his direction. He cleared his throat before speaking. “I completely understand that Bill, but some of us have families here, I’m thinking about getting a new job. And that would mean not being able to do Wednesday services.”

“I know Todd, I know. And I wouldn’t be mad if some of you did get another job on top of this one. Some of you are going to have to say goodbye to working along with this church, but I hope that does not mean that you say goodbye to the church all together. The whole reason for this meeting is to let you all know that this weeks paycheck is going to be about 80 dollars, and I’m sorry. We have a lot of workers, and the basement still needs repairs from the water damage. If you need to seek employment somewhere else, you are still welcome to attend the church.” he nodded.

I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes. I’m going to have to get another job. Ben is going to be so pissed when I only show up with eighty bucks this week. I put my head in my hands.

“You okay Jimmie?” Zach asked as Pastor Bill dismissed the meeting. I nodded my head and looked up.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just need to find another job so my cousin doesn’t verbally kick the crap out of me.” I sighed and stood up. “Maybe I’d be a good cashier…or something.”

He chuckled, “You’ll find something. God has it all planned out.”

I smiled a little before grabbing my guitar. “Well, I better get set up for the kids.” I mumbled, quickly leaving.

God better have something good for me. And soon.

My fingers strummed my guitar as my voice echoed through the small room. I smiled down at the children who were placed at my feet, each of them singing off-key to the song. When I finished the song I placed my guitar down on the floor next to me.

“Are you guys and gals ready for Miss. Natalie to teach you this afternoon?” I asked, smiling at all the small faces that were nodding at me. I patted a little boy’s head before standing up and handing the floor over to Natalie, who stood a few inches shorter than me, even in her heels. Her brown hair came down to the middle of her back in curls and her dark green shirt hung nicely on her body, hugging her curves in just the right way.

“Thanks Jimmie.” she smiled nicely before pulling out her notes and smiling down at the kids. I quickly got all my stuff together and headed out the door while she started the lesson. Once I had reached Ben’s car I pulled my phone out of my pocket and smiled softly to myself when I saw that I had a text, thinking it was from Caleb. But when I opened it I felt sick.

Who is he? How do you think he can compare to me?

My phone almost slipped out of my sweaty hand, but I held tightly onto it and shut it. “No.” I whispered, unlocking the car and placing my things inside. I threw myself into the drivers seat and locked the doors before allowing myself to look around the parking lot before dialing Ben and placing the phone to my ear.

He answered a few rings later. “You done with work already?” he sounded amused and let out a soft laugh.

“Ben, Jason just texted me and I’m scared. How did he know about Cay-oh my gosh, I bet it was Kelly. I have to call you back.” I hung up on his voice asking me what was going on and quickly calling Kelly. I played with the stars on the bracelet that Caleb picked out for me. I took a deep breath when she answered. “Kelly, did you tell Jason about Caleb?” I asked before she even said hello.

“Uhm, he might’ve heard me talking about it. Why? Is he doing anything?” she asked.

“He’s texting me, I just want him to stop. To stay out of my life.” I mumbled, resting my head against the steering wheel. “I’m terrified that this is going to be like when I went to Ohio to see Third Eye Blind. Remember how he followed me there?”

“Jimmie, I’m not going to let him do that okay? Just text him and tell him to leave you alone.”

I let out a sigh and nodded. “Okay Kelly. Thanks. Just, make sure he’s still in Wisconsin, please.” I knew I was begging, and that I sounded pathetic, but I honestly couldn’t care less. I need him to let me go, let me be with Caleb.

“He is, I just saw him at the mall. Don’t worry babe.”

“Okay, okay.” I sighed, “Thanks. I love you.”

“I love you too. Text me later kay?”

“Yeah sure.” I hung up the phone before quickly calling Ben back and telling him I was freaking out over nothing and reassuring him that I would be home in time for supper. And leaving out the fact that my paycheck would be so little that night.

++

I drove around town for a while, not wanting to go home but not wanting to get lost at the same time. The sun shone in my eyes as I made my way up and down the streets. I passed a park and had the urge to stop and go play my guitar.

Slowly, I brought the car to a stop and got out. I pulled my guitar to the front seat and got out. I slipped my black flats off before making my way across the soft grass.

I tucked my feet under me as I sat on the down on the dry grass. My guitar sat softly on my lap as I strummed quietly. No kids were playing today, which shocked me because it’s so nice out. I hummed softly along with the chords.

To say the least, I was lost in my own little world. Before I knew it, I was quietly singing and people were throwing dollars into my guitar case. I laughed quietly to myself, thanking God for the extra money and continued to play until I heard someone gasp.

My hands froze and I quickly looked up to see a couple standing there, holding hands. The girl, a beautiful blonde with large brown eyes and a heart-shaped face, was grinning wildly at me. The guy, a good five inches taller than her short frame, was looking at her confused.

“Can you play piano too?” was the first thing that popped out of her mouth.

I blinked, probably looking just as confused as the guy, but nodded my head. “Yeah, I can play a lot of instruments.”

“Oh Justin, she’s perfect.” she gushed, turning and looking at him. Her hands lightly rested on his chest and I could see a small smile on his face as he lovingly looked down at her.

“Go on, ask.” he said after a moment. She let out a happy squeal and kissed him before looking back down at me.

“We’re getting married in two weeks and our band cancelled, would you be in interested? We’d pay you of course.”

I was shocked, completely and utterly shocked as my mouth hung open. “Wow, uhm. Yeah, that’d be really cool.” I placed my guitar down on the floor and stood up. I wiped my hands off on my blue jeans, which I was wishing I never wore, and smiled almost as big as the girl.

“My name is Sarah, by the way.” she smiled, sticking her hand out. I quickly shook it as she continued to talk. “And this is Justin, my fiancé. We’re getting married next Thursday. We’ll pay you three hundred dollars for three hours. And if you want to stay more we’ll throw in more money. This is just so amazing!” she gushed, her hand still in mine.

“Yeah yeah, this is perfect actually.” I laughed. “I’ll need a list of songs that you would like for me to play and such, and songs that you would absolutely hate for me to play, just to make sure I don’t like…ruin your wedding or something.”

“Honey, you’re making my wedding perfect.” she said, reaching into her purse and pulling out a notepad and a pen, quickly writing something down, tearing out the paper and handing it to me. “My number is on top, and Justin’s in right below mine. Call me tomorrow, around one.” she nodded, her smile only growing by the word.

I nodded my head and thanked her while her and her fiancé walked off.

I cannot believe my luck here in Texas.

++

“Ben!” I yelled once I got back to the house. Ange came bounding up to me once she heard my voice and purred as she rubbed against my legs. I leaned down and picked her up, cuddling her against my face while I went on a search for my cousin.

“What?” he called a second later from the living room. I ran into the room and grinned. Him and Katie were sitting on the couch, his arm was wrapped around her and a movie was paused on the screen. “You okay from before?”

“I’m better than perfect.” I responded, placing Ange down on the floor and glancing at the clock, smiling bigger when I released Caleb would be calling me in fifteen minutes. “I got a wedding gig. 300 bucks!”

“That’s good!” he said, smiling.

“Yeah, but my check from work is only going to be eighty, but hopefully this’ll help me get more wedding gigs and then bring in more money.” I quickly spoke,

“Why is it only going to be eighty? That’s crap.” Ben said, looking slightly annoyed.

“Like barely anyone is paying their tithes, so the people who work there barely get paid.” I sighed, “I understand why, but God I wish I could have a steady pay check, or at least more than eighty.” I shrugged. “Musician’s life.”

Katie giggled from the couch and I smiled at her. “But you got a wedding gig!” she exclaimed raising her hand for a high five. I laughed and high fived her.

“Yeah, but Caleb should be calling me soon. So I’ll go upstairs and let you two finish your movie.” I winked before running up the stairs, taking them two at a time. I made it to my bedroom and almost shut the door on poor Ange in my haste to get to my bed. When the door was closed, I dived onto my bed and pressed my face into my white pillow and letting out a soft scream. When I was finished with that I ran my hand along Ange’s white fur and pulled my phone out so that I could stare at it until it rang.

After my fifteen minutes had come and gone I had started to get impatient, wanting nothing more than to tell my boyfriend of my wonderful news. I threw my phone onto my chest and ruffled my kitten’s fur before putting my arm over my eyes and holding my breath. As soon as I took the deep breath in my phone rang loudly and vibrated against my chest.

I smiled and grabbed it, placing it to my ear without looking “Hello Love!” I sang, my smile only growing when I heard his laugh.

“Hi Jimmie.” he said, sounding quite tired.

“Are you tired Love?” I asked, clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth and rolling over to my side.
He just chuckled and responded “Yeah, but I missed you so I’m going to talk with you for at least three hours.”

I couldn’t help but to laugh “Sometimes you’re too sweet.”

“Would you be dating me if I weren’t?” he joked.

“Psh, no.” I shot back. “God, what else is there to you?”

“Ouch. Well, if we’re being brutally honest here, I only like you for your butt.” he replied.

I laughed loudly. “My flat butt?”

He chuckled, “Yes, your flat butt.”

I pouted, “You were supposed to say it’s not flat.”

“Oops, sorry. I guess I’m not that sweet.”

I sighed, “Looks like we have to break up.”

“Guess so.” he also sighed. “Want me to hook you up with John Oh?”

“Yes please!” I laughed with him. It took us a minute but we calmed down.

“How was your day baby?” he asked. I closed my eyes and pictured his face before answering.

“Well, at first it sucked, but then I got a wedding gig and a call from you, so now it’s perfect.” I played lightly with the ring that he gave me before pulling my knees up to my chest. “How was your day love?”

“It was okay.” he sighed, “I miss you though. I can’t wait to be home.”

“I miss you too.” I whispered, suddenly wishing that he would be here to kiss me good luck. “When will you be home again?” I asked, getting off my bed and quickly going to my lap top and started making a mix to get my mind off of missing him.

“In a month.” he responded. “I know it sounds like a long time, but I promise it’ll pass quickly.” I nodded my head and allowed him to quickly change the subject. But I felt myself hating that he’d be gone for so long.

I also felt that I was falling in love with him.