Love Is Where You Find It

Part 21

The floorboards are creaking beneath Loretta's shifting feet as she walks down the halls of the church beside the way too determined Gladys. Her nerves start to get the better of her and all she can do is hope that it won't lead to one of the headaches she tends to get in situations such as this. She doesn't want to let Gladys down and even more than that, she doesn't want to let Henry down.

"They're so excited to have someone again," Gladys gushes. "They been on their own for so long, and it's hard to find someone who wants anything to do with the youth band. I think they'll really like you."

"I hope so," Loretta says with a nervous laugh, hoping that Gladys won't catch on.

There's muttering coming from the little back room, but it stops abruptly when Gladys throws open the door.

"Alright kids," Gladys says. "This is Miss Lynn, she'll help you out with your music, sing along with you-"

"How come we can call her by her first name?" A blonde boy pipes up.

"It ain't my first name," Loretta says, liking that she sounds more confident then she feels. "My first name is Loretta, but you can call me that too."

She instantly regrets saying that. Do children take someone they call by their first name seriously? She suspects that they don't.

"Your name is Loretta Lynn?" A girl speaks up. "That's real neat."

"Thank you." Loretta musters a genuine smile. "So, y'all gotta help me out today. What exactly are we doin'?"

Very much to her surprise, Loretta actually does figure it out within the hour. She earns the children's respect by giving a demonstration of 'Peace in the Valley' to them. It turns out that she can very well tell when something is too high, too low, too fast or too slow. And they apply her corrections because she can sing, as if that is something special. It never made sense to her when people say 'I can't sing' because in the mountains everyone can.

Loretta is completely in her element and has the greatest fun. She really feels like it's over much too soon. She tries to commit to memory the names of all the children as they walk out the door one by one.

Her kids, who were attending programs for children their age at the church in the meantime, didn't get out yet, so she waits.

A brown-haired boy who appears to be about as old as Betty Sue approaches her. He is holding a child sized guitar, which makes her smile.

"Are you the lady who does the youth band now?" the child asks.

"That's right." Loretta offers him a smile. "And you're a little guitar player?"

"No, I'm Danny, ma'am. Can I please be in the band?"

"To sing?"

"No, ma'am. I can't sing. To play the guitar."

Loretta frowns. "But you said that you don't play the guitar."

"Well," he draws the word out. "I don't yet. My daddy said he was gonna teach me but he ain't had the time cause he's gotta work so much and when he comes home I'm in bed. But I'll learn if you'll let me be in the band."

She knows she's not supposed to do it. Not only is he too young, he also can't sing or play any instrument. But he's adorable and confident and the story of his workaholic father won her over already.

"Come in here, honey." Loretta waves him into the room she'd just left. "I tell you what, all you gotta know to play backup is three or four chords, is all. I'll show you two to practice till next week, but it ain't easy, alright?"