Almost Home (NG2)

Home

Nash followed his brother back out the door he had entered a few minutes before. Lawson really looked remarkably better in a short time. He still had weight to lose, but his face was less bloated and tormented. Nash's heart ached a little, hoping his brother had found some peace from the demons haunting him.

Law stopped midway to the water, still on dry sand. He had his hands on his hips and looked out at the water for a few moments. Nash, who made his living with his words and voice, didn't like the silence. Looking at the sun sparkled surf lap the shore, he turned to his twin.

"You're lucky to have this view every day. I miss the ocean somethin' fierce."

"I called you to see if you were coming. If you hadn't gone off on me, I would have told you I wanted to talk."

"I'm listening." Nash felt nervous. He was too afraid to have his hopes up.

"I think my jealousy started when you left this town. I should have tried for scholarships, but you liked school more than me."

"If you went away, some other guy would have caught Vanni and your daughters would be his. Things happen for a reason."

Law nodded. "I was stuck in this town. I had my girl, but I never felt good enough for her. I kept waiting for the day you came home or some other SOB showed up and turned her head."

"I came home to see y'all cozying up. She loved you then. I wrote the song before y'all were a thing. It was a good song and people liked when we sang it."

"She loved it. Still does. It makes her feel special. The other day, she told Leigh that her uncle sang it to her first on the Fourth of July."

Nash nodded. "You deserved her because I sang to her but was too scared to kiss her. You were braver than me."

"Why the hell did you keep writing about her?"

Nash looked down. "I still liked her, and I had no other muse. But I didn't want to steal her. I just held onto what I thought was love too long."

"What you thought was love?"

"Now I've got my own girl. I know I didn't love Vanni, but I loved our friendship. The three of us together."

"I was jealous."

"I know. I tried to tell you, but you're stubborn and wouldn't listen."

"Why didn't you ever hate me?"

"I've been mad as heck, but you're my brother. We shared the same womb and crib and room. I could never hate you. Are you happy now?"

"Happier. I haven't had a drink since before I went back to Chattanooga. I'm trying to decide what I want to do, since I never want to drive a truck again."

"You were always good at fixing things."

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"Law, are we good? I'm tired of staying out of your way. I have a new album coming out and none of the songs are about your wife."

"I don't want to keep you away. You really love your twin?"

"I do. It happened quick, like I got hit with cupid's arrow in my buttocks. Are you and Vanni good?"

"She says she loves me."

"She does. I could tell in Nashville. Under her anger was love."

"We're working on things. I'd like to move, but she'd miss the ocean."

"Find a place here at the beach."

"Can't afford one."

"Let me get you a place."