The Best Of Me

Chapter 4

Harmony

   "Oh my God dad you should have seen it. The aquarium in Bass Pro shop was huge. The whole store was. You would love it. You should go sometime. And mom you would love the Opry Mills mall. It's like a small city. You could get lost for days in there if you're not careful. And on the other side of the Grand Ol Opry is the Opryland Resort. It's like an inside jungle. Trees and plants from all over the world. The ceilings are high up and made of glass. There's a freaking river INSIDE and you can go on a boat. The water they used to fill the river is from all over the world. They sent Jack Daniels bottles around the world and they were sent back filled with water. There's even fish in the river and waterfalls. They have this fountain that shoots out water and it's like a light show at certain times of the day. I have never seen anything like it in my life. And just wait until I show you pictures of the hotel we stayed at." "Sounds like you had a great time, honey" "Oh mom I've never had a better time in my life. I absolutely loved it" I sat at the table showing my parents pictures. I couldn't believe it was over and I was back home already. All I wanted to do was go back.

3 Months later

"I would like to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Williams." Everyone stood as Melody and her new husband walked into the room. It had been a beautiful ceremony but now it was really time to party. It wasn't surprising that there was an open bar and by 5 p.m. half of the people there were drunk. A lot of the wedding guests were the people that Melody and Anthony used to party with. When the bride and groom had their dance I didn't recognize the song but I recognized the voice. you know a song is good when just hearing it brings tears to your eyes and you can feel it in your heart. I was bursting with emotion. I could see why Melody had chosen the song. It was one of the most beautifully written songs I'd ever heard. It was as if the song was speaking directly to me. "And I'll fall for you every day. I'll cherish the moments that time can't erase. We'll be the love song I promise you we're gonna sing. When you fall into me." Of course love songs really got to me lately. Here I was 26 years old and single. All of my friends were married with babies and all I had was my job. Every decent guy my age in town was taken anyway. I had to start looking somewhere else. Maybe it was time for me to make a big change in my life. The best man came over and asked me to dance and I was just buzzed enough to say yes. He was a nice guy but he wasn't my future. It was just a dance anyway.

I heard myself say yes to a date with the best man. His name was Justin and I'd always known him as my big sister's best guy friend. I had never even considered liking him. So why did I just accept a date from him? I guess one date couldn't hurt anything. Of course if it went farther than one date I'm not sure my parents would approve. I didn't need their approval anyway. One dance turned into another and before I knew it we were dancing the night away. I was having so much fun. I don't know if it was the whiskey, the fact that I was lonely, or the fact that Justin smelled really good but I was really having a good time with him. I really was lonely. Melody and Anthony were moving to Atlanta and I was really going to miss my sister. She'd only be an hour and a half away but it seemed so far. Especially since lately she was the only friend I really had. No one ever told me that growing up meant growing apart from those you were once inseparable from.

Melody was on her honeymoon and I didn't want my mom to know I was going on a date so I got ready by myself. When I was in high school my mom would sit on my bed and help me pick out an outfit for my date. Then she would brush my hair and tell me stories about dates she'd been on. I was a bit nervous about going out with Justin and I really wish there was someone to talk to to get my mind off things but I was on my own. For probably the first time in my life. I should probably get used to it though. The silence was only making my nerves worse though so I turned on the radio. And there he was. On my radio. His voice filling my tiny apartment. singing about Cash, Hank, Willie, and Waylon. Until the song was over I didn't move. I was startled by the sound of my phone alerting me to an incoming text. I looked down. "Heard you're going out with Justin tonight. Be careful but have fun. Love ya little sis." I guess Justin must have told her or he told Anthony who told her. What did she mean by be careful. Be careful with what? Now I was even more nervous and I no longer had his voice to calm me. There was some Jason Aldean song on the radio now. I finished getting ready just as the doorbell rang. Well there was no backing out now.

The date had gone pretty well. Justin had taken me to a nice restaurant and we had just talked while we ate. It was so weird realizing that I had known him almost my whole life yet I knew practically nothing about him. After dinner we just drove around listening to music quietly and talking. He hadn't even tried to kiss me when he brought me home. I almost thought he wasn't really into me until he asked me out on another date. I don't know why I was surprised but I'd actually had a good time. I couldn't wait to go out with him again on Saturday.

Over the next couple weeks I saw Justin on an almost daily basis. He'd come over and I'd cook for him or I'd go to his house and he'd cook for me. Or we would just go out or order in. He took me to the movies and he took me dancing. One night they had some kind of sports thing at The University Of Georgia and even though I'm not a huge sports fan I went with him and had a great time. After the game we walked around campus for awhile and I told him stories about my time there. Justin hadn't gone to The University Of Georgia instead he'd gone to Georgia Southern with all his friends. Melody and Anthony had gone there too. I had hated that my sister was 3 hours away but she visited every weekend. Now she was living away again. I never did understand why someone who lived in a college town would move halfway across the state for school. I guess she just wanted to get out from under our parents for awhile. They were just happy she even went to college.

"So how are things going between you and Justin?" I put the phone between my shoulder and ear so I could rummage through my closet. "Actually really great. We're going to some kind of festival. over in Jefferson tonight" "That's great. So have you slept with him yet?" "what. no. Why would you ask that?" "Come on Harmony you're 26 years old and you've been dating him for 4 months. Don't you think it's time?" "Maybe. I'm just so nervous. We're so much alike yet we're so different. And what if it doesn't last?" "It doesn't have to last Harmony it just has to be fun until it's over. Do you love him?" "I don't know. Maybe. I really do like him a lot though. Look I gotta go. I have to figure out what I'm wearing" "You should wear that pink sundress with the one pair of boots. It's cute and flirty without being overly sexy. A good outfit for a fair." I looked at the pink sundress sitting on my bed and decided she was right. "Thanks. I think I will wear it. Talk to you later." "Bye. Have fun. And don't be too good" I hung up the phone smiling. I missed my sister but I was thankful for our long talks on the phone everyday. And she was always a phone call away anytime I needed her.

The drive to Jefferson went by pretty quick. It was about 30 minutes but me I liked being around Justin so much that time always seemed to fly when we were together. I was actually surprised when we pulled into a spot and parked. Justin got out and opened my door for me. When he put his hand on my back it may have been a little lower than normal. I was so full of excitement. I was like a child as I pulled him toward one of the rides. I was so into Justin. Maybe I did love him. I just wasn't sure because I had never actually been in love before. Maybe tonight would be the night. Maybe this man by my side was the one.

We spent the next couple hours going on rides and playing games. We acted more like teenagers than a couple in their mid to late 20's but we didn't care. Justin won me this cute little pink stuffed unicorn. The toy was probably more suitable for a 3 year old girl but I loved everything that had to with horses so I didn't really care. I kissed Justin and ran my fingers through his short soft blond hair. I didn't care who saw us. I didn't care what anyone thought. I was even ready to tell my mom about us. It was time. I knew it in my heart. As it was getting dark Justin suggested we go over to the beer tent where there would be live music and of course beer. Justin loved drinking beer.

"Do you want a beer or something babe?" "Sure. Whatever you're having will be fine" Justin handed me a beer and I kissed him before taking a sip. I looked over at the stage and wondered if the band would be any good. Then I decided I didn't care. I would drink and dance and have a good time even if the band completely sucked. I hated the taste of beer but I took another sip. Maybe it would take my mind off things for awhile. The later it got the more nervous I got. Was I finally going to stay the night with Justin tonight?

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I will get back to Brantley soon but I have to let Harmony's story play out a bit first please be patient and bare with me.