Small Town Girl

The drive home was silent. Nobody knew what to say. When we arrived, all the guys were there along with Mel. They each took the time to give their condolences and give me a hug. I officially met Jimmy's band and welcomed them to our little family. Too bad it was under these circumstances. The guys broke off into their group and talked about the tour that was coming up while Mel and I went to start supper. While we cooked, we also talked about the funeral. About half way through Barry came into the kitchen. "Elizabeth? Is there anything you and Mel need help with?" I looked around and saw that everything was done for the most part. "You know? I think everything is all set in here. Could you set the table for me and get the guys together?" I asked him. He smiled at me kindly and asked here stuff was. I pointed him in the right direction and sent him on his way. Mel grabbed the pot of spaghetti and I carried the homemade garlic knots and bowl of salad to the table where the boys already sat patiently. I noticed the two ends of the table were vacant. Before I could ask why, Brent began to explain. "This side is your seat and the other end is for Mama." Mel then walked in with a picture of Mama and set it down at the other end of the table and then sat down next to it.

I looked at him and gently grabbed his hand in mine. "Thank you, Guys. That means a lot." They all smiled and it was quiet again. ""Lizzie Plum, can we eat now?" Jimmy half whined half asked. I looked around and noticed they were all waiting so decided to have some fun. "Guys, you can start eating, however Jimmy, you can't." I knew how much he loved my cooking so when I told him this, he looked like I just kicked his puppy. I waited or a couple minutes and asked him dramatically, "JimJam? Why aren't you eating? Are you okay?" The guys were trying not to laugh or choke on their food. "But..but..but..You told me no." He sounded so confused and so sad.
I was trying so hard not to laugh. I know! I'm mean. "Jimmy, how long have we been friends?" "All our lives." "Yes and have I ever ACTUALLY told you no?" I looked at him with an amused look on my face and my eyebrow raised slightly. "Well no. But..." "Jim, eat." He clapped his hands happily, "Yeeesss." He then dug in like he had been starved. When he groaned dramatically everyone lost it. We all fell into silence after that and finished our meal.

After supper Mel went up to bed, Jimmy's band left, and I began clearing the table. Once I had everything in the kitchen I flipped on the radio to Mom's favorite country station and began the dishes. I quietly sang along with every song that came on. That is until her favorite song came through the speakers.

*People are talkin', talkin' 'bout people

I hear them whisper, you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept under covers
I just ignore it, but they keep saying
We laugh just a little too loud
We stand just a little too close
We stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seeing something we don't, darlin' Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love?I feel so foolish, I never noticed
You'd act so nervous
Could you be falling for me?
It took a rumor to make me wonder
Now I'm convinced I'm going under
Thinking 'bout you every day
Dreaming 'bout you every night
Hoping that you feel the same way
Now that we know it, let's really show it, darlin' Let's give them something to talk about
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?Let's give them something to talk about, baby
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?How about love, love, love, love?How about love, love, love, love?*

By the time the song was done, so were the dishes. I decided to leave them to air dry and put them away in the morning. I turned around and almost peed my pants. There in the kitchen stood the guys. Jimmy with a proud smile on his face. Brent, Barry, Zach, and Eric all had a shocked look on theirs. "That was awesome!" Eric exclaimed while the others nodded in agreement. "Told ya." Jimmy said in a cocky tone. I only blushed at their compliments and muttered a quiet "thank you". We all walked to the living room and discussed sleeping arrangements. "The guys and I are staying at my parents' house. Actually the guys are already there." Jimmy said. "Barry, Eric, and I got hotel rooms." Zach told me. I then turned to Brent and asked, "Are you staying here with me or did you get a hotel also?" He turned to me and replied, "I'd rather stay here with you if that's okay." I blushed a little and nodded. The guys chuckled and began to give hugs to leave. They each said their goodbyes and promised to be back in the morning. After they left things were a little awkward between Brent and I. Simply because I was lost in my thoughts. "Liz, stop over thinking. You're going to give yourself a panic attack and that's not good for you or the babies. Let's go to bed okay?" I knew he was right and so I didn't fight him a bit when he took my hand in his and began to lead me to my room. On the way up, it was impossible for me to not look at my mom's closed door.

Brent noticed this and pulled me to his side gently and led me the rest of the way. We silently got ready for bed and laid down. That's when my thoughts really took off with me and I once again began to cry. I tried to hold it in as to not disturb my husband but it didn't work. He pulled me to him and let me cry. He whispered softly that it was going to be okay. "I never got to say goodbye. I didn't get to tell her how much I love her one last time." I said as my crying turned into hard sobs. "She knows, Baby. She knows. Shh, shh, I'm here." Brent told me gently. I clung to him like my life depended on it. I was afraid if I let go, he too would disappear from my life. I finally calmed down but my grip on Brent only loosened a little. "Don't leave me." I whispered as I was dozing off. "I won't. I promise." That was the last thing I heard before the day's events caught up to me and I passed out.