Song of the South

A Welcome Home

Kinsey grabbed the baby and put him in the stroller while Eric started getting their luggage. Daisy stuck close to her big sister. The excitement of going on this trip with these new people was wearing off and now the uncertainty of what was happening was setting in. Lane was a bit fussy and Kinsey had never wished for him to be calm and quiet in all her life! When she stepped off the RV, she noticed two cars that didn’t have South Carolina plates.

“Well, looks like Barry and Brent are here.” Kellie started out, “And it appears Lori and Stella are too.”

“What?!” Kinsey exclaimed

The last thing she wanted was to explain her situation to the rest of the band. It had been hard enough telling Kellie and Eric! As she was standing there silently panicking, another car pulled up. Bill quickly got out with his friend following close by. Bill greeted Eric cordially as Kellie stood next to Kinsey and the children.

“It’s ok. We’re going to go inside, have a good meal prepared by Barry, get the children cleaned up and put to bed. Then we’ll sit down with Bill and go over what needs to be gone over. Everything is going to be fine. You’re safe now. We’re not going to let anything or anyone hurt you or them.” Kellie quietly told the young woman

“Sissy, I’m hungry!” Bella exclaimed

“Ok, Bella-girl. We’ll be getting dinner soon.” Kinsey smiled at her younger sister

Eric explained that the much-needed discussion would have to wait until after dinner and the children were put to bed. Bill nodded in understanding, especially after looking around Eric and seeing how nervous she was, and agreed. Bill and his friend, James Decker, followed Eric to where all the ladies were still standing. He picked up the luggage and motioned for everyone to follow him inside. The door opened up before he got to it.

“Kinsey! It’ so……” Lori started out, “Oh baby, what happened to you?!”

“Let’s save the explanations for after dinner, OK Lori? It’s been a long several days for them.” Eric stated with a sad smile

“I’ll take the luggage up to the guest rooms.” Lori replied before giving Kinsey a tight, friendly hug

Kinsey returned the hug, as best as she could with a squirmy baby, when Barry and Brent came out of the kitchen. Both were curious to see Kinsey but stopped dead in their tracks when they got a good look at her. She knew everyone was staring at her so she looked away in shame. Her bruises were still very, very visible and it made her uncomfortable. Eric told Barry how wonderful the house smelled making the dreadlocked man smile back at him.

Barry told the group that dinner was ready and on the table. Daisy looked up at her sister in anticipation. Kinsey told Daisy and Jesse to go wash her hands then find a seat. Lori made her way back downstairs and asked if she could hold Lane. Kinsey knew these people didn’t mean her any harm but it was still hard for her to hand over the small baby. Once she did, she turned to Bella and Hayden and said they were going to go wash their hands as well. Kellie and Lori followed her into the kitchen where the other two children were already at the sink washing their hands like they had been told.

The pair of ladies watched as Kinsey helped the two smaller children wash their hands for dinner. Daisy and Jesse were drying their hands off when the rest of the group entered the kitchen. Eric showed them where they could sit. Brent was pouring glasses of tea for most folks. Kinsey sheepishly asked Kellie if they had milk for the children. Kellie nodded her head before going to fetch it for her. Kinsey was busy drying the small children’s hands so Kellie poured the small glasses of milk for her. Barry looked over to his wife to see her holding the smallest of Kinsey’s siblings. He grinned mischievously at her making her giggle.