The Best Of Me

Chapter 20

Brantley

      There is no feeling in the world like that of coming home after being gone for awhile. Just about now my mom would cooking dinner. I could almost smell the aromas drifting through the house. I could almost see my mama smiling as she cooked. Such a wonderful woman. Soon dinner would be done and Kolby would go out for the night leaving my mom to do whatever she did when the kids were gone. Neither of them expecting me to show up. I knew that by the time I pulled in the driveway the food would be gone but the house would still smell like good home cooking. I was starting to get hungry and I glanced over at Harmony. She had fallen asleep as soon as we got into Georgia. She looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake her but she was probably getting hungry, too. I saw a sign for a Cracker Barrel at the next exit. It would do for now.

        "Harmony wake up." "Where are we?" "Cracker Barrel" "Good. I'm starving but I meant like where in Georgia?" "Oh we're about an hour from Jefferson." "So why are we stopping?" "We're showing up unexpected. With Kolby around we can't really expect there to be any food left." "Good point" I held the door open and followed her in. I watched her as she looked at the entire menu before setting it down and ordering and I watched her as she ate. Everything she did was amazing and I was going to miss the little things so much when I went on tour. "What are you thinking?" "How I'm going to miss you so much when I'm on the road." "I'm going to miss you, too Brantley but we'll video chat and text and call. It's only for a short time and then you'll be back." "Yeah until the next time I have to leave." "That's how it has to be. When I have a couple days off I can come spend them with you and we'll talk every day. When you have a couple days off you'll come see me. I'll miss being able to reach out and touch you but it'll be okay. This is your dream." "What if it's not though? I just keep thinking that I'm leaving the only thing that truly matters to me. You." "You've worked so hard for everything and now you're finally so close. Don't start thinking like that. I'll always be here when you get home. Well not here in Cracker Barrel but you know what I mean." "Yes Harmony I knew what you meant." I laughed. Man, How I loved her.

            My mom ran out of the house when I parked the truck. She must have saw us pull up. "Brantley, What a nice surprise. I didn't know you were coming home." "Yeah we just needed a break. Mom this is Harmony." "It's so nice to finally meet you. Between Kolby and Brantley I've heard so much about you I feel as if I know you already." "It's nice to meet you, too Mrs. Gilbert. I don't know why Kolby would talk about me though. I mean I've only met hima handful of times." "Please call me Becky. Kolby is good friends with your cousin. She talks about you all the time. Nothing bad though. Come on in you two." We walked in the front door and it turns out I was right about the house smelling like dinner. "Brantley why don't you show Harmony around real quick. I'm going to call your brother. He just left but I'm sure he'll come back." "Mom just leave him. It's fine. I'll see him tomorrow." "No, I'll just text him. He can decide if he wants to come home or not." "Okay" I started to show Harmony around I hesitated at my bedroom doorway. I couldn't remember if there were any pictures of me and Amber still up anywhere.

        We were sitting on my bed and I was telling Harmony a story from my childhood when I heard Kolby yell my name followed by his loud footsteps running up the stairs. A second later Kolby and Leann stood in my doorway. "Mom actually let you have a girl in your room? What?" "Shut up, bro." Harmony got up and went to hug her cousin. "We were just headed out to a party. Ya'll wanna come?" I looked at Harmony. "How's that sound to you babe." "Sounds good to me. I'm not tired at all." "Of course you're not you slept half the way here. Just let me grab our bags and bring them in then we can head out."

         I watched Harmony dancing in the light of the bonfire. It was a great night for a fire. I sat on the tailgate of my truck drinking a coke and watching my girl dance. It couldn't get more perfect than this. I was just so happy to see Harmony smiling and having a good time. Tomorrow we were going to see her parents and I was going to ask her dad if I could ask her to marry me. I had already bought the ring. I carried it with me everywhere waiting for the perfect moment. That night I held Harmony as she slept and I thanked God for giving me this life. I had everything I ever wanted right in my arms.

             My hands were sweaty and I was shaking so bad. "Mr. Sanders, Sir. Um.. sorry, I'm nervous. I love your daughter. I want to spend my life with her. I know it's fast. Trust me I understand if you think we should take it slow but the truth is I've always loved Harmony. I loved her before I knew her name and I loved her before we ever spoke. I dreamt about her for years before I finally met her and then when I did I knew right away she was the one. So if it's okay with you Sir I'd really like to marry your daughter." "It's up to her not me but yes you have my permission to ask her." "Thank you sir thank you so much you wont regret this." "I hope not." That was a lot easier than expected. HArmony ran into the room. "DAD, You actually got a motorcycle? Mom let you?" "What do you mean mom let me. Mom's not my boss." "Really dad?" "Okay fine. It took me awhile to convince her but yeah she let me get one." "That's awesome." I walked out of the room unnoticed. I needed a plan.

      "Hey Brantley how's Harmony doing?" "She's getting better every day Mrs. Sanders but really being home is doing so much for her." "I'm glad you brought her. I wish she would come home to stay but she has you and her job. So I know why she stays." "Ma'am Tennessee isn't my home Georgia is. Eventually we'll move back this way I'm sure." "Good"

       The next couple days were spent running back and forth between Harmony's family and mine. It never seemed like the right time but I knew it would come soon. When it was time to get back I could see the sadness in Harmony's eyes. I knew from experience leaving never got any easier. The drive back she was talkative, laughing and smiling. The trip had really done her good and even though it had cost me a week of rehearsals for my first tour in over a year it had been worth every second just to see her smile again.

          "I think I'll be okay to go back to my apartment tomorrow. I'm not scared anymore." "Move in with me for real Harmony. I would really love that." "But you're leaving soon." "Yeah well you can watch my apartment for me." "Is that the only reason you want me to move in?" "You know it's not. I love you Harmony." "Okay I'll move in. But if we're going to live together we're going to share a room. I need closet space." "Done." I leaned over and tried to kiss her. "Eyes on the road Brantley." "Sorry, Sorry, I'll watch the road." Up ahead the city started coming into view. Back to the real world. Tomorrow I had rehearsals and Harmony had decided she was ready to work again so she was going to go up there and see if she could come back.

       Harmony walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. Damn, She was so beautiful. She dropped the towel and climbed into the bed next to me. I leaned over to kiss her and she climbed on top of me. I flipped over so I was on top of her. I kissed her. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" "Of course Brantley. I love you." "I love you, too." I gently pushed up against her as I kissed her even deeper. She bit my lip as I pushed inside of her. "Damn I think my lip is bleeding." "Sorry." "Don't be." I took it slow and when we were done I held her close never wanting to let go. 

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