Same Kinda Different

Prologue

Remi is running ahead of me as we walk into our apartment complex after grocery shopping and picking up Dally and Mack from the groomers.
I smile as I watch my two year old run and giggle as Mack barks and tries to playfully nip at her. In the past few months a lot has changed for us with me deciding after divorcing her father that I needed to be back in Nashville and I need to finish my college education.
As we get on the elevator, Remi looks up at me and says, "Momma! See Poppa!"
I smile at her and say, "Yes, Remi after we put the groceries up and start on dinner your Poppa is coming over."
She looks at me and says, "Cookie?"
I shake my head and say, "If you help with cleaning up your toys then I'll let you have a cookie before dinner."
The door opens and she takes off running down the hall screaming cookie! Mack is right on her tail and doesn't let her get to far ahead of Dally and me.
Our new neighbor opens his door and steps out. He looks at Remi then looks at me and harshly asks, "Can you please have your child walk down the hall and not scream? Your not out in the wide open fields of Texas anymore."
I look at him and say, "She's two. Why don't you keep your music down late at night? Trust me it's not easy getting a two year old to sleep while the neighbor is blaring music late at night."
He looks at me and says, "Your in Nashville so sweetheart get use to the music being played."
I huff and shake my head at him then say, "Keep the music down or I'm calling the landlord. Your not suppose to be loud after 10 anyway. I know I'm in Nashville but trust me there are places you can play your music late at night instead of your apartment."
He looks at me and says, "Like you would know where they play music late at night princess. Go back to being a mom and trophy wife."
I roll my eyes and unlock my door. I ignore what the guy said and try to focus on Remi blabbing about Mack and Dally.
I notice a red light flashing on the house phone so I hit play to hear it. The message says, "Hey Laken, it's Scott Borchetta at Big Machine Records. I heard through the grapevine your back in town now. I, also, heard your trying to finish up with school. I was wondering though if you were still writing. Call me back and I'll tell you a little bit more on why I'm asking this. Thanks."
I roll my eyes and keep on walking to the kitchen to put groceries up.
After Remi and I clean the living room and put all her toys up, I give her half of a cookie so she can snack on it while I start on dinner. As I'm chopping vegetables and mumbling about the neighbor I hear the door bell ring.
Remi takes off running to the door screaming Poppa!!
I put down the knife and go to the door. I pick Remi up and open the door.
Dad looks at me and says, "There's two of my favorite girls." He kisses the top of my head and takes Remi from me. He laughs and says, "Did momma let you have a snack before I got here?"
Remi nods and plays with his tie. Dad kisses her head and says, "My sweet girl. Have you been good for momma today?"
Remi nods and starts talking about cleaning the living room and about the dogs.
I walk back into the kitchen and start chopping the vegetables. I mumble stupid male. Thinks I don't know where I'm at. I'm not a damn trophy wife either. I never fit in with that lifestyle.
Dad sits down across the island from me and says, "Bad day, Lake?"
I look at him and start telling him about what happened with the neighbor.
Dad raises an eyebrow and says, "I told you about living in an apartment, Laken. Your not handling it very well. This is the third new neighbor you've had since you moved back to Nashville."
I look at dad and say, "Well where else am I suppose to live dad? I'm 22 almost 23 years old with a 2 year old. I don't have a college degree. I'm still trying to figure out if I want to get back into writing or not."
Dad says, "Laken, your a 4 time song writer of the year. You have had a ton of number one songs on the radio. Your back in school to finish your degree which your mother and I are grateful for."
I look at him and say, "So you've talked to mom?"
He looks at me and says, "Lake, we may be divorced but we do have a child together. We love you and we love Remi. Your bettering yourself for your daughter and you."
I look at dad and say, "I feel like I'm failing at life. I'm divorced with a two year old, dad."
Dad says, "You needed out of that relationship and you know it. Your doing things for yourself and for Remi now. Your a lot happier than you were last year."
I nod and say, "Where would I go if I left here?"
Dad smiles and says, "Well there is a little house for sale that I think you would love."
I look at him and say, "You've been looking and thinking about this for a while haven't you?"
Dad grins and says, "I may have already made an offer on the house for you."
I shake my head and say, "How did you now I'd agree to it?"
He raises an eyebrow at me and says, "I raised you remember?"
I nod and say, "Okay if you get the house then I'll move."
He smiles and pulls out a set of keys and says, "Well get ready, Princess."
I grin and say, "This is why you wanted to have dinner wasn't it?"
He just smiles at me.
I look at him and say, "Scott Borchetta called me and asked me to call him back. Said he was curious if I was writing songs or not. Do you know anything about this?"
Dad shakes his head and says, "I don't. It wouldn't hurt to call him back."
I shake my head and say, "I'll think it over."