Alabama

Bad News And Working Stuff Out

Jason's pov

Me and Jack were talking about the tour when he said he had to talk in private. He's never like that. "What's up, man?" He glances at Kasi. We go outside and the sun is just starting to set. "I sure wish Kasi could see things like this. She doesn't know what I look like, what our daughter looks like! Hell she doesn't know what you look like anymore." "What are you getting at Jack?" I ask, worriedly. I don't like talking about Kasi's blindness. It's my fault.

~flashback~

She was ten I was thirteen. I was babysitting her. We were bored so we went exploring in the woods behind our house. I didn't know there was a mine buried back there! We were walking when Kasi saw a cacoon. I walk over, hearing beeping. Huh? I glance at Kasi's feet. My eyes get huge. "Kasi, don't move." I choke out. She looks up at me. "Why? What's wrong?" "Y-You're standing on a mine." She looks at her feet. "What do I do?!" "Just don't move." I say, walking closer. I have to time it just right. "Stay still." The beeping gets faster. I don't want to get blown up but to save my sister, I'll have to sacrifice myself. "Kas, close your eyes." I whisper, fighting back tears. She closes her eyes just as the beeping becomes a shrill one tone. I quickly jump at her, pushing her off the mine and me landing on top of it. It exploded under me. I was in a coma in the hospital for a year and a half. Kasi got blind from it but we both survived.

~flashback over~

"Jason? Hello?" "Oh uh sorry blanked out a little there. So what's going on?" He sighs. "Take care of my girls while I'm gone." "G-Gone? What do you mean?" He pulls out his old army cap. Oh crap! "They called you back?! When?!" "Remember when Kasi came to visit on tour?" I nod. "They called me then." Oh man. "I promise man, I'll take care of the girls." He salutes. "I'm a proud soldier." I fight back the tears. He's like a brother to me. I hug him. "Just..... Come home, man. This family can't survive without you." "Sure it can. You're braver than you think." I don't know what he means by that. I walk back inside but he doesn't. He has to leave. "You're one brave soldier." I whisper, closing the door. "We. Need. To. Talk." I hear Sierra say behind me. Crud. I turn around. "I don't think I have time." "Well you better make time, pal." I glare at her. "I don't have to do jack shit. I'm going to enjoy my niece's birthday before I have to tell her and Kasi that Jack's gone!" I shout angrily. Crap! I shouldn't have shouted that! Jenna and Kasi both look over. "What..... What did you mean?" She gasps, worried. I sigh and walk over. "Kas, he got called back to the service." She starts to cry. I hug her tight. I feel a pulling on my pants leg. Oh man, Jenna. I pick the little five year old up. "Daddy's gonna come home right?" She whimpers, laying her head on my chest. "Of course darlin'. He'll always come back. He loves you so much. Don't ever forget that."

*later*

Everyone had long since left except mom and dad. They're gonna sleep here. I don't want them paying for a hotel for a one night stay. I walk onto the porch and sit down, my head in my hands. "God Jack, you better come home man."

Miranda's pov

I walk outside. He had his head bowed. "I know it's been a while. But if you're still listening to an ol Georgia boy who's made a lot of mistakes, Please watch over Jack. He needs you and the girls need him. Please keep him safe." Oh wow. I didn't know he was spiritual. I close the door and he turns around quickly. "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you." He sighs and nods. "Kasi needs Jack. He's her seeing eye dog pretty much. They're inseparable." He says, putting an arm around my waist. "It's God's will and I believe he's gonna bring Jack home." He glances down at me. "Yeah me too." He kisses my forehead. "I didn't take you to be very religious." He smiles and shrugs. "I'm not as much as I should be." I hug him. "Are you gonna be okay?" He nods and puts his cowboy hat on. "I got some long buried business to handle." He says, sighing. "I'll see ya later tonight, darlin'."

Sierra's pov

I hear a knock on my door. "I'm coming." I call, putting down my magazine and dusting my couch off. I've got a date coming over tonight so I'm hoping that's gonna be him. I open the door and my hand falls to my side in disappointment, annoyance, and surprise. "What do you want?" "You said you wanted to talk. Let's talk." He says, shrugging. "I can't. I have a date coming over." "Well it was my niece's party you interrupted so I don't give a shit." He gripes, walking in. What a jerk! "So what do you want to talk about?" He asks, crossing his arms. "Ok we're really doing this?" I ask, pissed off. "First off, stay the hell away from my best friend. You're not gonna hurt her like you did me. Second I want an explanation!" He turns around and stares at me annoyed. "Ok first off no. I am not gonna stay away from her. She's my girlfriend and you can butt the hell out. Second off, I was a different person back then. I was an ass to you and I see that now along with all the other girls but I'm not like that anymore." "Like what? Huh? What would you call it? You said you loved me then you abandoned me!" "Well I was probably drunk then. I never said I loved you that I can remember." "Well you did because I never forgot how horrible it made me feel." He sighs. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did. Can we be friends now? Or at least not enemies. Cause it's gonna be hard being in the same room and seeing as you're my girl's best friend." I cross my arms, annoyed. "We can't be friends. I'm not ready to forgive you. You hurt me. I couldn't trust a man for a year after that." He stares at his boots. "I-I understand. I don't really deserve forgiveness anyway." "Maybe one day after you've proven yourself with Miranda. But not now." He nods. "I hope you know I'm serious. I am sorry and I love her. I will never hurt her." I smile. I can tell he's telling the truth. "Thanks for coming over. It means a lot you wanted to work things out like that." He nods. "Um enjoy your date." He says then waves and leaves. Five minutes after he drives away, my date gets here. "Hey Jeremy." I say, opening the door for him.

Jason's pov

I just don't want things to be difficult between us. I get back home and mom and dad are asleep on the couch. I turn the TV off and go to my room down the hall. Miranda was taking her make up off. I smile and walk over, kissing her head. "Hey Jason." "Hey Bama. Ya know you don't need that right?" "I don't need what?" She asks, smiling and turning around. "You don't need make up. You're beautiful without it." "Oh Jason don't be crazy. I'm God awful without it." Why would she say that?! I was only flirting with her but she thinks that? "Don't say that baby. You look amazing with or without it." "Really?" I nod and kiss her. "Don't wear make up tomorrow. I'm gonna prove it to you." "And how are you gonna do that?" I smile and grip her waist. "You'll have to wait and see sweetheart." I say, turning around to the bed and laying her on it.