Chasing Your Dreams

Good Advice, Memories, And Fishing

Jason's pov

I was on tour with Garth Brooks and we were playing friends in low places together. He smiles and finished the chorus. "Now who wants to hear that mysterious third verse!" He shouts to the crowd who screams their heads off. I laugh softly. "Take it away, Jason." "You got it, Garth." I play the cords and sing the third verse. "I guess I was wrong. I just don't belong, but then, I've been there before. And everything is alright. I'll just say goodnight. And I'll show myself to the door. I didn't mean to cause a big scene. Just wait 'til I finish this glass. Then sweet little lady, I'll head back to the bar and you can kiss my ass!" "Yeah!" Garth shouts laughing. The crowd cheers and we sing the chorus again. "Everyone give a big hand to my buddy Jason Aldean!" They cheer again. "It's Garth Brooks!" I say. They cheer again and we head backstage. I get a whiskey shot, tired. "I'm much too young to feel this damn old." I whisper thinking of the girls. "Ha. Funny one." Garth says, grabbing a beer from the cooler. I sit down in a chair. "What's up?" I force a smile. "It's sure fun playin' with you Garth." He sits on the cooler beside me and grabs a donut from the food table beside us. "What's on your mind, Jason? I can tell something is bothering you." "Yeah it's just... My girls man. They're all growing up right before my eyes. Way too fast for me. One's married and expecting her first kid soon, my middle girl is starting middle school! And Kendyl joined the softball team. Pretty soon she'll meet a boy too and I don't think I can handle it." "Oh. Now I get why you said that song title." "I just wanna hold onto 'em forever. I know I can't but I wish I could." "Lemme say, letting go can be hard but have you taught your daughters everything they'll need to know to get through this crazy train called life." I stare at my hands thinking. "I think so." I mumble. I lean back in my chair, imagining another little one. Hopefully this time a son. "Maybe I'll get a little boy. Someone I can take fishing ya know. The girls aren't into all that. Well Miranda is but she's too old to go fishing with her dad." "Ya never know that." My eyes go wide. I stand up. Three days off. I'm gonna take my oldest daughter fishing. "Thanks Garth. You sure helped me."

Miranda's pov

Dad called. "Hey princess, ya busy?" "Nope, what's up?" "Ya wanna hit the fishing hole for a couple hours?" I smile. "I'd love to dad." I get my fishing gear and tell Cole. "Hurry back." He says, smiling. He was working on songs. I kiss his cheek. "Love you." Dad pulls into the drive. "I thought you were touring with Garth Brooks?" I ask when I get in the passenger. "I am but we got a few days til the next concert and it's here in Nashville so I thought hey perfect timing."

*later*

Jason's pov

We were sitting on the dock, our legs dangling. I can imagine doing this with her when she was a child. Even though I didn't know her then. I can picture it. The day I met her sure started a whirlwind of changes.

~flashback~

"Mr. Aldean?" A tiny voice squeaked behind me. I turn around confused to see a very nervous young girl. She must be a fan. "Hey ma'am, I reckon you're a fan." She nods and extends a hand. "You're the only reason I'm still here."

~flashback over~

I remember how shocked and confused I was when she said that but then she told me her story and it blew my mind how big of an impact I had on one person. I lay back in the grass staring up at the sky.

~daydream~

She's ten years old and we were fishing on the same dock we were on now. A fish was on her line and was about to pull her in the water. I laughed and helped her reel it in. "Yay! Dad! We did it! Daddy!"

~daydream over~

Huh? I snap my eyes open to see my reel spinning. I grabbed hold of it and reeled it in as fast as I could. I picked up a 10 pound catfish. "Damn. Well I caught dinner." I say, locking eyes with Miranda. We both bust out laughing at the same time. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon.