God Bless the Broken Road

Leigh Ann put the car in park and turned to look at Joe; smiling to herself she played with the strands of hair that had fallen out from under his beanie while he slept. She loved it when he wore his glasses like this; it was her favorite look. Natural wavy hair, beanie, glasses and just a hint of stubble across his jaw; this was Joe, her Joe.

Slowly she leaned over and planted a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth, “Wake up sleepy head.”

Joe grinned as he stretched, “That has to be the best wake up ever.”

Leigh Ann smiled, “Even better than Big Rob’s wake up call?”

“A million times better than Big Rob’s wake up call,” Joe laughed as he scrubbed the sleep from his face.

As a bell rang in the distance Joe frowned, “Umm why does it look like we’re at a high school?”

Leigh Ann rolled her eyes, “Because we are.”

“What,” Joe squeaked as he ducked down in his seat causing Leigh Ann to laugh.

Unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door she turned back, “I’m just going to run in and surprise my mom; I won’t be long,” She added before closing the door.

Leigh Ann turned in surprise at the sound of a second door shutting, “Joe what are you doing?”

“Coming with you,” He replied as he came around the car to stand beside her.

Leigh Ann looked confused, “But what…”

Joe took her hand in his, “I’ll deal; besides I want to meet your mom.”

Leigh Ann grinned as they entered the small familiar building; she could hear her mom’s steady voice lecturing about Columbus. Quietly she pulled Joe toward her mother’s class room and stuck her head into the open doorway to glance into the room. Her mom was turned towards the black board writing as she lectured.

As some of the students on the back row started to whisper Leigh Ann held up a finger telling them to keep quiet as she pulled Joe into the room. She motioned towards the chair by the door telling him to take a seat as she sat in the open desk on the last row.

Her mom glanced down at her book, “Now class what was a common thought of most explorers before Columbus?”

“That the world was flat?” A little girl in the front row asked.

Her mom turned back towards the board, “Correct.”

Leigh Ann grinned, “Actually Ms. Mary, during that time it was common knowledge that the world was round; Columbus was just one of the first to try and prove it.”

Leigh Ann’s mom paused as she began to turn around, “While that may be, this is a fifth grade history class and I don’t…,” As her eyes met Leigh Ann’s she gasped.

Leigh Ann smiled as she stood up, “Hi mom.”

Tears sprang to Mary’s eyes as she ran to her daughter enveloping her in a hug, “Oh baby I’ve missed you so much; how are you? You look amazing. I just; it’s I’m so happy to see you,” She added rocking Leigh Ann back and forth.

Leigh Ann felt her throat get tight as she dug her face into her Mom’s shoulder, “Oh mommy I missed you,” her voice thick with tears.

“I’ve missed you too,” Mary replied as she stroked her daughter’s hair.

Joe rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he watched the two embrace. His emotions were mixed. On the one hand he was truly happy for Leigh Ann; after all she was finally seeing her parents. On the other they were in a room full of tween’s and he was starting to get weird looks.

Joe cleared his throat, “Umm; why don’t we step outside for just a minute.”

Mary looked up and wiped her eyes smiling, “Well it’s nice to finally meet you in person Joseph,” she greeted as she grabbed him in a hug.

Joe smiled as he returned the hug, “It’s nice to finally meet you as well Mrs. Williams.”

Mary scoffed, “Now, now what did I tell you on the phone? My name is Mary and that’s what I expect you to call me.”

Joe grinned, “So outside?”

Mary turned around to look at her whispering students and sighed, “Yes I suppose we should.”

As the three stepped into the sun Joe looked around to give Leigh Ann and Mary some privacy. He let his eyes glance over the small playground that was spread before him, beyond that bleachers rose high in the air in front of a sparsely cut football field. To his left was a gymnasium the sounds of squeaking followed by the shrill cry of a whistle issued from the doorway; a sure sign that someone was getting some practice time. Beyond the football field he spotted the top half of a score board beside a high wall, with the sure ting of a bat coming into contact with a ball carrying on the wind.

Taking it all in, Joe couldn’t help but think that just one year ago this was her life. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was like then. Her life was such a complete contrast to the life she led now, he couldn’t help but worry; did she miss it?

Hearing Leigh Ann call for him, he turned, “You ready?”

Leigh Ann smiled as she stopped in front of him, “Yeah, mom said it’s probably best that we leave before the next bell rings; some of the high school girls have been asking about you.”

Joe frowned, “Oh; is that going to be a problem?”

Leigh Ann shrugged as they headed for the rental, “I really don’t think so, but I would rather get out of here now than risk it and cause you to have to sign autographs, take pictures or for that matter get mobbed.”

Joe nodded as he climbed back into the car and pulled his cell phone out. Frowning at his display screen that was showing low battery he sighed, “How much farther is it to your house?”

“Not much but before we go there I have a few things I’d like to do,” Leigh Ann replied softly as she turned towards Joe.

“Oh?” Joe inquired.

Leigh Ann sighed, “Yeah, if it’s okay with you I would like to visit their graves; it’s always bothered me that I missed their funerals. But before that I’d like to,” Leigh Ann paused glancing down at her hands.

“You would like to,” Joe prompted.

Leigh Ann sighed before looking up and locking eyes with Joe, “I would like to go back.”

“Go back as in where it happened, are you sure,” Joe questioned as he took her hands in his.

Leigh Ann nodded, “I need to make peace with what happened; I think it will help.”

Joe nodded as he sat back and faced forward, “Alright then, let’s go.”

Leigh Ann nodded as she turned and cranked the rental, slowly she turned back to Joe, “Joe, I’m scared.”

Joe reached over and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear before wiping the tears away that had begun to fall, “Its okay to be scared baby. You’ve been through so much and doing this, confronting it; it’s not going to be easy, but you know what I’m right here and I’m going to be with you every step of the way. We will get through this together.”

Leigh Ann looked up at Joe through tear filled eyes, “Promise?”

Joe smiled as he took her hand in his, “I promise.”

Leigh Ann smiled down at their hands, “Hey Joe?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

Joe smiled, “I love you too baby girl; I love you too.”