She Restrained A Renegade

Three

3-Justin

If my bandmates could see me now, they'd be laughing their asses off. Somehow I'd let myself get talked into helping out at my Grandmother's church. I know most of my family thought that I hadn't kept in touch with any of them, but it wasn't true. I'd stayed in touch with Grandma Elaine. She had always been the only one to show me unconditional love, so I'd figured I owed it to her. I'd tried sending her some money over the years, but she'd always sent it back, telling me that I needed it more than she did. Stubborn woman, but I loved her, which is how I got roped into helping at the church's bake sale. Word traveled fast in Seneca, so it didn't take long for the church to be packed to capacity. I wasn't sure how much baked goods they were selling, but I was over this attention already. I should have known it would be like this, but I'd been dumb enough to think I was somewhat safe in Seneca.

"Hey Ace."

That voice, it had been eleven years since I'd heard it. There were times, growing up, that a few words from that voice and I'd be a melted puddle, but not anymore. Now I cringed and turned to find Christy Johnson, looking at me like I was a slab a rare beef and she was starving. Since she used my nickname and not my real name, I knew that she wasn't seeing beef when she looked at me, but rather dollar signs. No fucking way. Did she honestly think I'd forget about all the times she turned me down? Did she think I'd just magically forget that last night, when she'd humiliated me in front of most of our classmates? No fucking way.

"Christy." I gritted out.

She pouted, "Oh don't be like that. I was a stupid kid. Kids do and say stupid things. Can't we leave the past in the past?"

I took a moment to take her in, not because I was considering taking her up on her blatant offer, but just because I now noticed the changes in her. She looked tired and she'd gained quite a bit of weight. Her pale blond hair had darkened over the years and she looked like she spent too much time in a tanning bed. The diamond on her wedding finger told me that she was married, but the way she was looking at me told me she didn't take her vows seriously. It wasn't the first time I'd been propositioned by a married woman, but I did have some standards. Even if Christy were single, I wouldn't take her up on what she was offering. I came home to get away from women like her.

I shook my head, "I'd like to be able to say it's good to see you Christy, but really I don't care one way or the other. No, I won't forget the way you treated me back then and no, I won't ignore that wedding ring on your finger. I'll be nicer than you were to me and say, have a nice life."

Several people snickered and I did regret that. I wasn't a vindictive person, so I wish nobody had witnessed the exchange, but I couldn't take it back now. I glanced her way and sighed in relief to see Christy working her way through the crowd, away from me. Thank God. I didn't want to have her create more drama here today. Grandma suddenly announced that I'd be giving autographs away with every baked goods purchase. I didn't bother explaining to her that my publicist would probably have a conniption for not being consulted first. When Grandma Elaine set her mind to something, there was no talking her out of it, so I just pasted on a smile and got to work. Suddenly baking goods were flying out the door and I was happy to help the church, especially on Grandma's behalf.

After the event was over, Grandma hugged me and sent me on my way, with a wink, "Now, I know you didn't come all this way to spend your time with an old lady and I know you didn't count on spending it at the church either. Go get your girl and we'll talk later."

I shook my head, but I was grinning, "How do you seem to know everything, Gram?"

"I'm old. I ain't dead. Besides, the rumor mill is hopping. Word is you've been asking around town about Zoe Andrews. So if I were you, I'd hightail it over to her place before she gets word of it."

I laughed, "What, you think she'll run for the hills if she hears I'm here for her?"

"If she knew what was good for her, yes. I love you, Justin, but I'm down right ashamed of those hussies you've been spending your time with." Grandma said, sadly.

I suddenly lost my humor and lowered my head, "Yes ma'am." I rubbed the back of my neck, before I bravely raised my head and told her, "That's kind of why I'm here. I'm tired of that life. Don't get me wrong, I love my music and performing is awesome...I'm just tired of the endless stream of girls throwing themselves my way. They don't care about me. They are just hoping I'll give them their five minutes of fame."

Grandma nodded, "Explain this to me. I didn't even know you and that Andrews girl dated before you left."

"We didn't...we just...she kind of helped me out one time, gave me the pep talk I really needed. I never really thanked her for that. If it weren't for her, I don't know if I ever would have gotten the nerve to get on that bus out of town. I wouldn't have this career that I love. So I owe her a lot. I just...hell, I don't really know what I'm doing here." I admit.

Grandma grinned, "That's good. That's real good. It's usually in moments of un-clarity that life gives you exactly what you need. Good luck, my boy. You're going to need it. Zoe Andrews isn't like those hussies you've been seeing. Zoe Andrews has a brain in her head. She won't be wowed just because you're now rich and famous."

I nodded, "That's what I'm hoping for."