Goodbye Ain't Ever Meant A Thing

Chapter 3

He sat at the counter  watching as his mother frantically ran around the kitchen gathering the last few things for their week of camping. The annual camping trip between the families had been all he was looking forward to. Camping, fishing, hunting, four wheelin, now that's something he could get behind. He picked up one of her famous chocolate chip cookies and placed it between his teeth as he laughed lightly. They has taken this camping trip for the last twenty years and she was always this hectic before they left, always worrying about forgetting something.

“Those are for the trip get out of them.” He shoved the rest of the cookie in his mouth before holding up his hands in a sign of defense. Mama Becky laughed, shaking her head. She knew that leaving them out meant he was going to steal one. That's why she did it every year. “You know your girls home too.”

“She comes back every year for the tip momma.” He spoke as he looked down. Sienna Winters. That girl was like a fire in a goddamn snowstorm. He couldn’t help the rush he got when he heard her name. It happened every time. Always had and always will.

“Why did you let her get away? Damn fool, that girl was perfect for you. Could have already had grandbabies!” She mumbled as she walked towards the back of the house. He shook his head and grabbed his bag that laid at his feet. Walking outside he was greeted with his younger brother Kolby. He threw the bag into the bed of his truck and pulled off his hat. Staring down the road he looked at the house that held his girl. He raised an eyebrow once he noticed her little VW Jetta wasn’t in the driveway like it was earlier this morning.

“She’s at Becky’s.” His brother spoke from behind him, making him jump slightly. He turned to smack his brother but was met with a water bottle instead. Accepting it he shook his head as his brother threw his bag into the back of the truck matching his brother. The didn’t need the tents anymore or the sleeping bags like they once would. Now they stayed in a cabin since the bear activity had picked up so much in the last couple years instead of just canceling the trips.

“Outta knock you out for sneaking up on me.” He said, his rough voice lacing each word, “How do you know?”

“Becky asked me to tell you to come get her for the night and take her for a ride like old times. She broke up with old money bags.” Kolby responded using Brantley nickname for Derrick.

“Good for her man. Guy was always bad news just glad she saw it.” Brantley didn’t hesitate to pull out his phone and send a quick text to Becky, ‘Be there at 9’. He shook his head again laughing. Knowing Becky, Rosey Posey as he called her had no idea he was coming and Becky wouldn’t tell her.

“You’re still a fucking idiot for breaking up with her.” Kolby said as he stood next to his brother and staring out towards the rows of cotton that grew behind the houses.

“You too? Mama’s already been on my ass about it.” He took off his signature hat and rubbed the back of his neck before replacing it in it’s low laying fashion, “I know I’m an idiot man. Have since the day I said goodbye. She deserved a man who could be here all the time though and I’m okay with being single for life as long as she’s happy. Hell my dic-”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence Brantley Keith.” Mama Becky yelled as he turned around quick, his eyes opened wide.

“Sorry Angel, I didn’t know you were there.” He apologized and moved behind Kolby from his mother. She was sure to grab his ear like he was 10 again but she’d have to go through her younger son to get to him.

“At least your heart was in the right place again. Looks like I need to start praying for forgiveness for that mouth again.” She mumbled as she walked back into the house.

“She mumbles a lot when you're home.” Kolby said as he laughed.

“She raised two hellraisers, she’s always askin for forgiveness.” He replied with a laugh. He patted his brother on the back before saying goodbye to him and his mama. He’s be back bright and early but for now he was going to go home and get ready for his girl. He hopped into his old truck and drove the ten minutes to his house, perks of living in a small town. Passing by houses and stores memories flowed back. A smile pressed against his lips as he passed by the old bapitst chruch where he first kissed her. THe last pew had always held a special memory. Mama had reemed him something good after they found him making out with Rosey, but it was worth it. He got to be her first kiss. He passed his house, driving towards the tracks that held one of their many goodbyes. He looked up at the picture hidden under his visor. A young girl, not older than 18 smiling with her arms wrapped around a boy, who was laying a kiss on her head. They had taken it after one of his first concerts.

He pulled over and grabbed his guitar and a notebook from his center console. Sitting on a stump of an old willow tree he began to strum absentmindedly.

“Ain’t even been in town ten minutes and the grape vines all about me and you.” He whispered, shaking his head. The whole town had wanted them together and he agreed. He’d do anything to get that girl back to being his but that was long since gone. His hand shook slightly as he pulled the pen from the notebook and opened it. The book had seen better days. THe edges were completely frayed and torn but the main part was still clean enough to write.

“Take a left at the Baptist church

Had our first kiss in the back

Cross the tracks, take a right where I kissed you goodbye

Didn't have to be our last

So girl, I came back

When it comes to you and me, girl

You could say that

Goodbye ain't never meant a thing

And we go”

The lyrics flowed bringing a smile to his face. It was about time he started writing for the new cd, and his muse had just strolled back into town.