I Swear That I Can Hear You In the Wind - A Sequel

Track Four.

"So, how are things?" Austin's words came out quiet, startling me out of the haze I had been in as I pretended to focus on the television. I turned and looked at him, watching as his hand stroked Lilly's hair, her head resting on his shoulder, her eyes fluttering as she dreamt.

I shrugged my shoulders, biting down on my lower lip, unsure of what exactly to say. "I want to say okay, but.."

"But what?"

I sighed, and I could feel tears pricking at my eyelids. "Lilly asked me if Vic loves her."

Austin's eyes widened, his body quickly tensing before relaxing with sadness, his eyes casting downward, looking at Lilly's sleeping form.

"Lyle," he whispered, and with that the tears broke free, falling quickly from my eyes.

"My daughter thinks that her dad doesn't love her. Austin, I, what am I supposed to do with that? She's five years old. A child should never have to wonder whether or not they are loved." Austin pulled me into him with his free arm, my tears falling onto his shirt.

He was silent for a moment, giving me time to let out all of the pent up tears and anguish, just as he'd done for years. He knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it, and that's what made him such a great friend.

"What did Vic say when you told him?" He finally asked, his thumb brushing gently over my arm.

I sniffled, inhaling gently before swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat.

"I haven't," I replied softly. "It'll just make things worse."

His face scrunched, his lips drawing together tightly. "How so?" He tilted his head to the side as he gazed at me. "He needs to know, Lyla."

"Do you really think it will make a difference?" My voice squeaked and I sat up, pulling my legs underneath myself as I looked over towards Austin and Lilly. "It'll kill him, Austin. But it's not like it's going to change things. He's not going to stop touring. It'll just make him miserable to be around."

"Do you want him to stop touring?" He questioned. His response surprised me and I rubbed at my face, trying my best to sort out the thoughts swirling in my head.

"No." I paused. "Yes. I don't know." The tears were threatening to fall once again. "I can't ask him to do that, Austin. How would you feel if your wife, your wife who promised to support you no matter what, asked you to give up your dream?"

He shrugged. "If my daughter thought that I didn't love her, I'd do it in a heartbeat."