A New Life

Chapter 3- Guitar Lessons

Chapter 3

Guitar lessons

Willie's pov

Me and Korie were wrapping christmas presents. "I wonder if she knows how to play guitar." Korie says. I smile. "If not, we'll teach her." She laughs. "You don't even know how to play!" We both laugh. "You know what I mean!" In fact. I pull out my phone and message Jason.

Jason's pov

I was sitting on the couch with my two girls and my wife Brittany. We were watching family fued when my phone buzzed. It was Willie.

W: Hey Jason, we're getting a guitar for Miranda for Christmas and I was wondering if she doesn't know how to play, do either you or Luke mind teaching her?

J: lol sure Willie. I'd be happy too.

W: thanks man.

J: no problem.

Willie's pov

I smile excitedly. "Jason said yes." I tell Korie. "Cool."

*the next day*

I go to Miranda's room and she looks so dang cute! Her little hand curled around her pillow, sound asleep. I sit down beside her. "Hey sweet girl, wake up." She slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times. "Did Santa come?" She groggily mumbles. I smile and nod. "Santa came but I wanna tell you the real reason we celebrate Christmas." She smiles. "Story time?" "Yes baby girl, story time."

Jason's pov

Everyone was just waiting for Willie and our new camouflage princess. She's a real sweetheart. Everyone has fallen in love with the little angel. I'm excited to teach her guitar. She runs out of her room, followed by Willie. "Merry Christmas!" She cries excited. Willie sat her down and we did presents. I laughed when Willie got her a bunch of John Mellencamp CDs. "Maybe you can learn to play them soon." Willie hints. She glances at him confused then he hands her the present that is her guitar. She screamed with happiness when she opened it. "I'm your teacher." I say, proudly, handing her a present I picked out for her. I got her a bunch of picks with designs from my band, Luke's, Eric's, Brantley's, and of course Mellencamp's. "Oh I love them, uncle Jason!! I can't wait to start playing! It's gonna be awesome!" "I can't wait to teach you, princess!" She hugs Willie. Then Korie takes her to get dressed and out of her PJs. "Anyways who wants to play dirty santa?" Willie asks, smiling. I laugh. "Bring it on."

*later*

Willie's pov

I love how she considers the buckmen her uncles. I mean we are pretty much blood brothers. So they are kinda like her uncles. She's just the first of my kids to officially call them Uncle. "I can't do it. It's hard." Huh? "It's alright. We can come back to that. Trust me, it gets easier and we'll get that harder note down." I smile and listen at the door. "Do you know why I believe in santa Claus?" She whispers. I can tell Jason's reluctant to answer. "Um uh why?" He strains to say confused. "Cause it was my Christmas wish to find a family, to find a mommy and daddy like I did. I stopped believing til that wish came true. He must've heard me! He must be real!" Wow. I open the door and Jason doesn't have a clue what to say. "Daddy!" She says, smiling. I smile and she runs over and hugs me. Jason smiles from his seat at the desk. "Don't worry kiddo, family's one of the most important things. You'll always have a family now." He says, looking on the verge of tears. "You alright?" I whisper. He nods slowly. "I uh I gotta go man." He sets the guitar on the bed and quickly exits. I know what set him off. His parents and sister. His parents never believed in him and once he left they said not to bother coming back. He never even got to meet his baby sister who'd probably be about ten now. Poor guy. I should go find him. I hand her over to Korie and get a jacket on. It's freezing. It's actually snowing! I see his jacket on the hook by the door! Crud! I grab it and take off out the door. I hear soft singing. "If I could write the perfect song, make a little right out of all the wrongs, would ya close your eyes, would ya let it in, would ya light your candle against the wind. If I could sing the perfect words, change the world unhurt the hurt that we're all feelin' stop the bleedin' get back to believin', that love is the answer and music is healing." I bite my lip and find him. He was on his tailgate, his head in his knees. I sigh softly and hand him his jacket. "You're gonna catch your death out here." He puts it on. "I-I'm sorry Willie. I just couldn't cry in front of her. I can't go back in there right now." "I know what you're thinking about." "Kasi turned eleven three days ago. I w-wonder how she's doing." Poor guy. "Come on let's go back inside, man." "No way. I-I'm fine." "You're gonna freeze." He sighs and reluctantly follows me back to the lodge. The holidays are always hard for him. Even though he has a new family, us, the rejection from his parents must be hard. His sister probably doesn't even know he exists.