Husband of My Dreams

Chapter Nine

I sat at a picnic table in a park, Jax sitting on my lap, Elijah across from us.

"Thanks for sharing your tea." I smiled slightly, his thermos of tea on the table.

"How'd you know it's tea? You haven't had a taste yet." He stared at me.

"You always have it on stage, which always has a tea tag sticking out... I don't think someone puts water in a thermos, and who would drink coffee while singing?"

"Okay... But is there something in it?" He rose an eyebrow. "If so, what?"

"Honey. It helps a singers throat."

"Wow, I'm impressed." He chuckled. I smiled a bit. "Are you going to have some? Your voice sounds as hoarse as mine."

"Well, I like to sing along... And I don't have something to pour it in."

He shrugged. "Just drink from the thermos."

"Really?" I looked at him and he nodded. I smiled a bit and took the thermos, taking a sip. "That's delicious!"

He chuckled. "Yeah... You okay?"

I looked down. "No. My dad and sister were there. When I get home, they're gonna bombard me with questions and stares... I don't know if I can deal with that."

"...Do you not like your family?"

"Honestly? No."

"Why not?"

"My sister always makes fun of me... My parents are always yelling..." My voice cracked and I sniffled. "I just don't feel welcome there." Jax wrapped his arms around my neck, hugging me.

"Why do you keep going back then?"

"I don't know how to live without them. It's what I've been doing for 19 years. Besides, I don't have any money or even a job. And I've applied everywhere!"

"Do you have any hobbies?"

"I like to sing and write, but I'm not good at either. Why?"

"Use one of those to make money. Get a gig, publish something."

"But I'm not good enough! I'm not good enough for anything or anyone!" I put my head in my hands, my arm around Jax.

A hand gently took one of mine. "Listen to me, okay? You are good enough. You're better than good enough, no matter what you do. Here, we don't have to talk about this, okay? What'd you do today?"

"I auditioned... To be a model for a store..."

"That's amazing! When will you hear anything?"

"Next year."

"Oh... Well, I wish you luck, and hopefully, we'll still be talking when you get the news." I softly blushed and took the thermos, drinking some more of the tea.