Song of the South

Becoming too much

Hearing how her mother “went off the deep end” when her husband became disabled and then left taking care of him, their home, and their farm angered Eric. She wasn’t a woman, she was acting like a child. This burden shouldn’t have been thrown onto Kinsey! The young woman explained how each child had come into the home even though her mother knew her father wasn’t capable of taking care of them. Eric was quite impressed that she was still trying to attend college, even if it was only online, while doing all this!

Kinsey confessed how she felt like she wasn’t a good daughter because she was starting to struggle with the farm, with the home, with children, and with taking care of him. She stated that she didn’t want to drop out of school but was starting to think she might have to. Hearing this made Kellie sad. This young lady desperately needed some help!

“Sweetie, you’re a great daughter! I’m sure your father is quite impressed and grateful to you.” Eric stated

“I try so hard but it’s starting to become too much.” Kinsey whispered, tears brimming with tears

Eric moved to sit next to her so he could wrap his arm around her. She let him pull her closer to him as she fought hard to not let the tears escape. His whispered words of comfort made it harder and harder for her to keep the tears at bay. Finally it became too much for her. Eric’s heart broke as he saw the tears streaking silently down her face. With his left arm, he pulled her tight into his chest.

Kellie pulled off onto the side of the road to help comfort the young woman. She figured Kinsey had never really opened up or vented to anyone before. She probably didn’t really have anyone TO open up or vent to! Kellie sat sort of in front of the pair and hugged them both. She could see Eric was getting emotional as well. Kinsey was sniffling when she realized there were two pairs of hands on her and the RV wasn’t moving. She sat up, smiled sheepishly, but refused to look at either of her hosts.

“Sweetheart, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You’ve done the best you can in this circumstance. It’s ok to feel upset, angry, or saddened.” Kellie explained, voice calm and soothing

“I know.” Kinsey sniffled, “But I have to be strong for the little ones. They need structure and me being upset will do them no good.”

“You let us worry about all that. You can lean on, and depend on, us. You need someone to talk to, to vent to. Keeping it all in isn’t doing you any good either.” Eric added in, giving her shoulder a light squeeze

As much as she hated to admit it, Eric made sense. Keeping everything all in was starting to get to her. That wouldn’t be good for the children. She sighed heavily. What was she going to do about her father? She needed to think about what was best for him and for the children. Kellie could see Kinsey was deep in thought. She knew Kinsey was trying to figure out what would be the best for her siblings and for her father. It seemed the young woman never thought about herself in all these bad situations.

“You should decide on what you want to do about your father. I think Bill has a good point about setting up a living will so that your dad will know what will happen to the children and your farm.” Kellie quietly stated

“I just want what’s best for him. I’ve been the one taking care of him for so long……I did my best! He’s still sick, getting worse I guess….” Kinsey trailed, tearing up again

“Sweetheart no one is accusing of you of not taking care of him. All Bill’s friend was implying was that he was getting worse and that perhaps being in a good facility where the nurses and doctors can get medicines for him that you can’t would be a good thing for him and for you.

I trust Bill with my life. You can trust him too. Let Bill set you up with the lawyer who does the wills. You can talk with your dad together to come up with what will be best for all of you. Yes, that means you too.” Eric stated, looking her straight in the eye as he spoke

Kinsey sighed again right as Bella emerged from the back. She ran at her big sister to give her a hug like the other two were doing. Kinsey’s smile told both Kellie and Eric that she pretty much lived for the children. Eric began texting Bill to let him know they needed to set up a meeting between the lawyer and Kinsey.

“Hi sissy! Movie is over.” Bella pouted

“I’ll go change movies then we’ll hit the road. We’re fairly close to New Orleans, just a few hours. We’ll stop there for the night then continue on tomorrow morning.” Kellie stated, standing up and taking Bella back to the bedroom

Kellie was quick to get them back out on the road. Kinsey had slipped back into her thoughts so Eric just reveled in sitting there with her pulled in close to him. She was so innocent yet had this charm to her that he couldn’t resist. Her heart was heavy, he knew it, but he wanted to make her feel better, make her happy. She looked up at him with those big, brown, questioning eyes. He smiled warmly at her, fighting the urge to lean down and plant his lips to hers.

“If my dad is put into this facility…. Would we be able to visit him? What would happen to the farm?” Kinsey quietly asked

“Yes, you will be able to visit him. We can ask the lawyer when we see him about the farm. If you have any other questions, write them down so you don’t forget. Whatever you need, we’ll help you with, OK? You’re not alone.” Eric told her, voice low and soothing

She bit her lower lip in contemplation. She didn’t think he would lie to her but it wasn’t in her nature to assume people were lying to her when they talked to her. She took the brief opportunity while he was looking out the window to get a good look at his face. He wasn’t a young pup, as her Grandpa would say, but he surely didn’t look 40 years old! He had a kind face, as her Grandma would say about people, and a face that truly showed his emotions.

He felt her looking at him but tried to keep from looking back at her. He was just happy to get to comfort her and hold her like this. The children’s giggles filtered to where they sat so he glanced down to see her smile. She surely loved these kids! They slipped into silence and after a while, she laid her head on his shoulder. Lane was still fast asleep on his blanket on the floor. Eric would alternate staring out the windshield and looking at Kinsey. He looked down one time and realized she had fallen back asleep!

He had to move around a bit but he was finally able to pick her up and gently lay her back on the couch where she had been sleeping before. Lane had woken up but was just lying there looking around. Eric picked him up before sitting in the “passenger” seat up by the door. Kellie looked over to her ex and loved seeing him holding the baby. Eric liked having a baby in his arms. It felt natural. It was the one thing he and Kellie had wanted for a long time but never had.

“She’s very worried about what’s going to happen to her Dad and to her siblings.” Eric quietly told his ex-wife

“It’s understandable. She’s been his care-taker for so long she probably doesn’t remember what it’s like to not have to do that anymore.” Kellie replied

Bill finally texted Eric back and told him they, ’they’ being Bill, Bill’s lawyer friend, and Kinsey’s dad although the lawyer would be arriving separately, would be in Charleston in two days and that they could sit down then and go over everything. The elder man thought it would be a good idea for Kinsey to write down any questions she might have so that the lawyer could answer them.

Eric asked Bill what he thought would be best for Kinsey and her siblings. Bill took a few minutes to think over his reply before answering the bassist. He had talked extensively with his doctor friend so he knew just how bad off Kinsey’s father was. There was no way she would be able to look after him, all the children, and that farm all by herself. The kids needed stability and a loving, solid home. Bill also knew that Kinsey deserved a life of her own. A life that allowed her to pursue her own dreams and goals in life.

Bill told Eric that he thought her father being put in this facility would be the best for her. To put their farm up for sale or have someone she trusted come in to run it would be best for her. He thought she needed to be around someone, or a group, who could and would help her with the children. Eric nodded even though Bill obviously couldn’t see him. The tall bass player agreed 100%.