The Widow

(26) Join Our Band

Two months later, 

Keely was alone in the middle school auditorium with her violin. She had been taking violin lessons since she was 5, as well as voice lessons. Jax had taught her how to play guitar and the harmonica. 

She was lost in her own world, and didn't notice someone had come in. When she finished the song she heard someone clapping which made her jump. 

"Who are you?" She said as a cute blue eyed boy walked up on stage. 

"I'm Callum Barnes, and you are amazing. How long have you been playing darlin?" He said 

Her cheeks tinged pink at him calling her darlin, "Um, since I was 5. I'm Keely Gregory by the way." She said 

"You are new?" He said 

"Yeah we moved here two months ago." She said as she put her violin up. 

"Do you play anything else?" He said 

"I play acoustic guitar and harmonica my dad taught me how to play those two. Then I do violin and voice lessons." She said 

"You should join my band.." Callum blurted out. 

She looked at him, "Sorry I just we need someone like you. A lot of my favorite songs are 90s country and we can't do them cause we need a violin player." He said as he bent over to pick up his football bag. 

When he did she heard a familiar clink, and she saw dog tags. She looked them then looked at him. 

"Whose are those?" She said

"My biological dad, my mom was engaged to him when he died overseas. She was attending college and had to have an emergency c section cause I was in distress and she was unconscious. Because she wasn't married they just gave me her last name. Mom never bothered to change it to his." He said 

"My dad was in the military too, but he sadly passed away a few months ago." She said as she looked down. 

"Overseas?" He said 

"No, he was killed in a car accident." She said 

"Oh..I'm sorry." He said as they walked out together. 

He stopped, and took her phone to give her his number. He texted himself so he had hers, and texted her an address. 

"If you change your mind about the band. That's where we practice." He said 

"Ok.." she said 

"I hope you do though beautiful." He said as he walked away. 

She felt her cheeks pink up again, and she went to meet her grandma in the parking lot. Later that afternoon she used her four wheeler to come to the practice place. 

"You came.." Callum said 

"I want to join, and um I need friends." She said 

He helped her get her instruments off and led her inside. 

"Guys this is Keely Gregory I was just telling you about her." Callum said 

He introduced his band members, which also included his two half sisters Brielle and Arielle. When she showed off her skills they were all floored by her how talented she was. 

Callum couldn't stop thinking that he had fallen in love. After practice was over, he helped her bungee her instruments to her four wheeler. 

"Text me when you get home." He said 

"I will." She said 

"Good night Keely.." he said 

"Goodnight CJ." She said with smile

He smiled at her, and she left. 

"Oh Lordy this girl is going to make me crazy" he thought to himself.