Play It Again

Hattie Branson

We walk into the living room where Margaret my sister, Will my brother in law, and James my brother talk to dad.
"Are we late?" I ask grabbing the rooms attention,
"Nope, you're early!" Mom yells from the kitchen. I chuckle at Wyatt standing behind me like a little kid hiding as if he doesn't tower over me.
"Margaret, Will, James this is Wyatt, Wyatt this is my brother, sister and my brother and law"
James goes in for a handshake which Wyatt gratefully accepts. But Margaret, being the bitch she is, just says hello. Will follows James and shakes his hand too. James goes to hand Wyatt a beer but pauses,
"Shit you're not legal, are you?" James asks Wyatt,
"Yeah I'm 19"
"You drink Coors?"
"I'm more of a whiskey guy but I'm not picky"
"Whiskey? At your age?" Will chuckles,
"My dads a big fan," Wyatt chuckles.
"Dinner!" Mom yells from the kitchen, and we all make our way to the table. Wyatt sits in between mom and I as he talks up a storm with the boys.
"What are you looking to do in the future Wyatt?" James asks,
"I'm taking over the family farm" he replies,
"Are you attending university or college?" My sister asks, talking to him for the first time,
"Neither." My sister gives me a look of disappointment. It stings that she immediately assumes that he's dumb. She always does this, she thinks everyone is less than.
"His dad is sick so he is expected to take over now" I add in, giving her a dirty look,
"Oh that's terrible! I'm so sorry Wyatt" Margret says, her facial expression lightens.
"So how did you two meet?" Will asks changing the subject,
"At a bar." Dad says, sounding unimpressed,
"Hattie, why on earth were you at a bar?" Margaret sighs,
"Drinking." I say bluntly, appreciating the annoyed look on her face. "Yeah, Wyatt plays the guitar so sometimes he plays at bars and he asked me to sing with him."
"That's cool man! What type of music?" James asks,
"Country, I really only listen to it too"
"I could never get into country music, Hattie always liked it though." Margret remarks.
It's not all about you Margaret.

After dinner somehow dad managed to get Wyatt to play guitar. Mom requested Margaritaville by Alan Jackson. My parents are currently dancing around the living room together. Wyatt has a big smile on his face, enjoying himself as always.
Margaret pulls me to the side. We walk down the hallway, "I don't approve. You need to marry a smart man."
"He is smart. You don't get any say regardless."
"He is not pursuing further education. He doesn't seem smart."
"It's not his choice! His dad is dying, Margaret! He graduated high school top of his year, and was the valedictorian!" I yell getting worked up. And beginning to quiet back down hoping no one heard us, "he has the nicest heart, I've never loved anyone like this! He is beautiful in every possible way! Sure money is tight and his situation is not great, but he didn't get to choose."
"He's going to be a depressed alcoholic, worth nothing"
"And I'll be right there with him, at least he isn't dating me for my money" I glare at her, she knows it. Will is a gold digger, I love the guy, but he never wanted to marry Margaret, she pushed him to pop the question. Feeling satisfied that I've hurt her like she hurt me, I storm into the living room, and grab Wyatt's arm.
"How long is Margaret staying for?" I ask my mom, seething,
"Two days!" mom says excitedly,
"Ok, see you in two days." I stand up pulling Wyatt with me.
"Where do you think you're going?" dad asks,
"I'm going to stay at Wyatt's"
"What?" Wyatt whispers,
"You are not going to be sleeping at a boy's house!" dad grumbles,
"Why cant you and Margaret get along?" Mom yells over the commotion,
"Ask her mom" Mom looks at her and Margaret shrugs, acting as if she is unsure. "Bullshit! You told me to dump Wyatt because you think he is dumb and going to die a depressed alcoholic! Don't be jealous, because I have a loving relationship! I can't deal with your stuck up arrogance anymore!"
"Margaret, I hope to God that your sister is lying" my dad says, beginning to scold her. I pull Wyatt outside while they are distracted. He stands on the porch while I open the driver's side door and hop in turning the engine over.
"If you don't get your ass in this truck, I'm leaving you here to fend for yourself!" He looks back to the house and runs over to the truck hopping in the passenger side.
We drive for a while in silence, tears stinging my eyes as I hold them back.
"What am I gonna do?"
"About what?" I ask,
"Do they really think that about me?"
"No! Margret is just a jealous bitch!" I say starting to cry,
"Pull over." He says sternly, I comply.
"Dont cry" he kisses my forehead and pulls me into a hug.
"I can't deal with her anymore!" I say through sobs, "she hates when something good happens for me! Y'know Will doesn't even love her right! He's in it for the money! You love me right?"
"I love you." he holds me tighter. "From the moment I saw you, I knew."

We eventually switch sides, me still crying, in the passenger seat, and Wyatt driving holding my hand. My phone is blowing up, but I can't.